Day Rate Calculator
Calculate your freelance day rate from hourly rate and hours per day. Free daily rate calculator for consultants, freelancers, and independent contractors. No sign-up.
Inputs
Enter the minimum numbers needed to get a result.
Formula and example
Day rate = Hourly rate x Hours per day
If your hourly rate is $75 and you work 8 billable hours per day, your day rate is $600. Over 230 working days, annual revenue is $138,000.
Methodology & assumptions
Last updated: 2026-06-11Calculation method
Multiplies hourly rate by billable hours per day to produce a day rate. Annual and monthly revenue assume consistent working days. Does not account for rate variation across clients or projects.
Data sources
Uses the numbers you enter and standard small-business finance formulas. Benchmark comparisons use HustleFin industry benchmark pages where available.
Limitations
Assumes a single flat rate for all work. Does not include expenses, taxes, or unpaid time between projects.
Input definitions
- Hourly rate: Your freelance hourly rate.
- Hours per day: Billable hours in a working day.
- Working days per year: Days worked after weekends, vacation, and holidays.
Frequently asked questions
What is a day rate?+
A day rate is a flat fee charged for one full day of work. It is common for consultants, photographers, designers, and developers.
How do I set a day rate from my hourly rate?+
Multiply your hourly rate by the number of billable hours in a day. Many freelancers add 10-20% to account for context switching and fixed-scope commitments.
Should I offer a discount for multi-day bookings?+
Some freelancers offer 5-15% discounts for week-long or month-long engagements to secure longer contracts. Only discount if it still covers your costs and income goals.
How many working days should I plan for?+
A typical freelancer works 220-240 billable days per year after accounting for weekends, vacation, holidays, and sick days.
Related guides
Go deeper with in-depth guides on the concepts behind this calculator.
Continue the workflow
Set your hourly rate, convert to a day rate, then price individual projects with a risk buffer.