Freelancer Day Rate Calculator
Short answer: day rate = (target take-home ÷ (1 − tax %)) + expenses, divided by billable days. Most UK freelancers use 220 billable days a year.
The 220-day standard: 365 − 104 weekends − 8 bank holidays − 33 (leave, sick days, gaps between contracts).
28% is a typical UK freelancer default (basic-rate tax + National Insurance). Adjust to your situation.
- Equivalent hourly
- £45.12
- Weekly (5 days)
- £1,692
- Monthly target
- £6,204
- Annual revenue needed
- £74,444
Take-home Tax + NI Expenses
Excludes VAT. UK VAT registration threshold: £90,000 rolling turnover.
How the maths runs (backwards, on purpose)
Most people start from a salary and guess upward. This calculator starts from what you want to keep and grosses it up: required revenue = (target take-home ÷ (1 − tax %)) + expenses, then divided by real billable days. That is why the number feels higher than you expected — a salary hides tax, holidays, sick days and bench time that a day rate must absorb.
Typical UK day rates by experience (indicative)Experience Indicative day rate Junior £150 – £300 Mid-level £300 – £550 Senior £550 – £950 Director / specialist £900 – £1,600+
| Experience | Indicative day rate |
|---|---|
| Junior | £150 – £300 |
| Mid-level | £300 – £550 |
| Senior | £550 – £950 |
| Director / specialist | £900 – £1,600+ |
Indicative market ranges, not guarantees — your niche, location and demand move the needle. Figures checked against gov.uk/HMRC for 2026/27 (September 2026).
Frequently asked questionsHow do I calculate my day rate from my salary?
The classic rule: (salary + 30%) ÷ 220. The 30% covers benefits you lose leaving employment (pension, holiday pay, sick pay); 220 is the standard billable-day year. Example: £50,000 salary → £65,000 ÷ 220 = ~£295/day.Why 220 billable days and not 260?
A full weekday year is 260 days, but nobody bills every weekday. The industry standard subtracts weekends (already out), 8 bank holidays, and ~33 days for annual leave, illness and gaps between contracts: 365 − 104 − 8 − 33 = 220.Should I charge a day rate or an hourly rate?
Day rates suit project and retainer work — simpler invoicing, and clients compare day rates easily. Hourly rates suit small, variable tasks. As a rule of thumb, day rate ≈ hourly × billable hours per day (often 7–7.5).What is a good day rate for a contractor in the UK?
It depends on role and experience, but as a rough ladder: junior £150–£300, mid £300–£550, senior £550–£950, director/specialist £900+. These are indicative ranges — check live market data for your specific niche.How often should I increase my day rate?
Review at least once a year, and any time demand clearly exceeds your availability. Many contractors raise rates with each new client rather than mid-contract — and never let inflation quietly cut your pay for two years running.
How do I calculate my day rate from my salary?
Why 220 billable days and not 260?
Should I charge a day rate or an hourly rate?
What is a good day rate for a contractor in the UK?
How often should I increase my day rate?
Please note: Estimates only — not financial advice. Check your position with a qualified accountant, especially around IR35 and limited-company vs sole-trader treatment.