Freelance Day Rate Calculator 2026
How much should you charge per day? Enter your target net income and your parameters — the calculation runs in real time, no sign-up.
After tax, what you keep.
Sole proprietorship ~25%, SASU ~50%, EURL ~45%.
365 − weekends − 25 days off − 10 public holidays ≈ 220.
Time spent on sales, admin, training = not billable.
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How to read your day rate
The day rate calculated here is a minimum: below it, your business does not reach your net income target. Above it, you have a buffer to absorb the unexpected (a project that overruns, a client who pays late, a month of low activity).
The 3 common mistakes
- • Underestimating costs: a freelancer with a SASU often forgets director contributions, corporate tax, health insurance. Aim for 50% to be safe.
- • Overestimating billable days: a 90% utilization rate is nearly impossible beyond 6 months of activity. 65-75% is realistic.
- • Ignoring unpaid invoices: 5-10% of revenue can be lost to unpaid invoices or delays. Set aside a provision by raising your day rate by 5-10%.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate your freelance day rate in 2026?
Formula: day rate = (target net income ÷ (1 − cost rate)) ÷ (available days × utilization rate). Example: 45,000 € net ÷ 50% costs = 90,000 € in revenue, divided by (220 × 70%) = 585 € per day.
Why is my actual day rate often lower than my listed day rate?
Because the listed day rate assumes 100% billable days, while a freelancer spends 20 to 35% of their time on sales, admin, unbilled meetings, accepted scope creep. The effective day rate = actual revenue / days worked and rarely exceeds 75-80% of the listed day rate.
What day rate ranges apply in France in 2026?
Junior: 200-350 € per day. Confirmed: 400-600 €. Senior: 600-900 €. Niche expert or rare technology: 900-1,500 €. These ranges vary by region (Paris +15-25%), sector and how hard you are to replace.
Reach your target day rate with a structured offer
A professional quote + a clear statement of work + a branded client portal = clients who accept your rates without negotiating. Flowayz automates all of it.
Open my free account →See also: Definition of the daily rate · Scope creep calculator · ROI calculator