Hourly rate calculator for freelancers & agencies
Many calculate their hourly rate too low — and work unprofitably. Set your key figures and see immediately which rate covers your costs and leaves profit. CHF and EUR, without registration.
Your key figures
What you want to pay yourself as salary.
Software, insurance, office, training, equipment, etc.
220 days = ~44 weeks after deducting holidays & public holidays.
Share of time that is really billable (rest: acquisition, admin, breaks).
Reserve for risk, growth and profit.
Recommended hourly rate
CHF 139
per billable hour
Indicative value, not tax or legal advice. Market norms, positioning and industry can shift the rate significantly.
Track hourly rates cleanly?
In Flenio you store hourly rates per member and see budget & margin per project in real time.
Start for freeFrequently asked questions about the hourly rate
How do I calculate my hourly rate?
Add your desired annual income and your annual operating costs and divide the sum by your billable hours per year. On this cost-covering rate you add a profit margin. That's exactly what this calculator does automatically.
What are billable hours?
Billable hours are the working times you can charge to a client. Acquisition, administration, training and breaks are not included — realistically, often only 50-70 percent of working time is billable.
What utilization is realistic?
For solo freelancers and small agencies, 55-70 percent billable utilization is common. Those who calculate too high underestimate the hourly rate and end up working unprofitably.
Does the calculator apply to Switzerland and Germany/Austria?
Yes. You can switch between CHF and EUR. The logic is identical — just note the different tax and social security situation, which this calculator deliberately excludes.
More on the topic: Stundensatz, Auslastung, Marge in the glossary.