30 Currencies · 2026 Market Rates · Free
Price your project to
make money, not just cover costs.
This freelance cost calculator helps you build a project quote phase-by-phase, get a quick estimate by project type, or check what similar projects cost in 2026. Add expenses, a profit margin, and never underprice again.
$/ hr
%
Project phases — hours
Total: 0 hrs
Discovery & Strategy
Requirements, research, scoping, kickoff
hrs
Design & Wireframing
UI/UX mockups, prototypes, visual design
hrs
Development & Production
Building, coding, content creation
hrs
Testing & QA
Review, bug fixes, client revisions
hrs
Launch & Handoff
Deployment, documentation, training
hrs
Project expenses
Total: $0
Base cost
—
hours × rate + expenses
Project price
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Includes 25% margin
Total hours
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Time cost
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Profit amount
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Day rate equiv.
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Hours by phase
Discovery & Strategy—
Design & Wireframing—
Development—
Testing & QA—
Launch & Handoff—
Add 15–20% contingency: Projects typically run 20–30% longer than estimated. Either build it into your hours, or add it as a contingency line in expenses and disclose it transparently in your quote.
Select a project type and scope to see typical hours and price ranges — based on 2026 North American market rates at mid-level experience. Use as a sanity check for your own quotes.
Project scope
Quick estimate — North America, mid-level
Typical hours
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—
Price range
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at $65–$120/hr
Typical duration
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calendar time
These are North American rates. For UK/Western Europe, reduce by ~20–25%. For Australia, reduce by ~15–20%. For South/Southeast Asia, reduce by 60–75%. Use the Project Builder tab with your actual hourly rate for a personalised quote.
Typical freelance project costs in North America (USD) — mid-level experience, 2026.
North America
Western Europe
Australia
Singapore
South Asia
SE Asia
| Project type | Small | Medium | Large | Enterprise |
|---|
Ranges are approximate for 2026. Actual costs vary significantly based on freelancer experience, design complexity, required integrations, and client revisions. "Small" = minimal scope/features; "Enterprise" = custom, complex, or highly integrated solution.
How to price a freelance project accurately
Project pricing fails in two common ways: estimating hours optimistically, or forgetting to account for all costs. Both leave you undercharging. Here's the reliable process:
Step 1: Scope precisely, then break into phases
Don't estimate the whole project as one number. Break it into Discovery, Design, Development, Testing, and Launch. Estimate each phase independently — the total will be more accurate than a single guess.
Step 2: Add 15–25% contingency to your hours
Software and design projects consistently run 20–30% over initial estimates. Build this in — either as additional hours in each phase, or as a transparent contingency line. Don't hope it won't happen; plan for it.
Step 3: Add all direct costs, then apply margin — not markup
Add software, subcontractors, and any other project expenses to your time cost. Then use the margin formula: Price = Costs ÷ (1 − Margin%). A 25% markup on $6,000 costs = $7,500, but that's only a 20% margin. To hit 25%: $6,000 ÷ 0.75 = $8,000.
Project pricing formula
Time cost = Total hours × Hourly rate
Base cost = Time cost + All direct expenses
Project price = Base cost ÷ (1 − Profit margin %)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I estimate hours for a freelance project?
Break the project into phases (discovery, design, build, test, deploy) and estimate each independently. Then multiply by 1.2–1.3 for contingency. Compare against similar past projects — your most reliable data is your own history. For new project types, use the Quick Estimate tab for a market benchmark, then adjust for your speed and the specific requirements.
Should I use fixed price or hourly billing?
Fixed price works when scope is clearly defined. It rewards efficiency and gives clients cost certainty. Hourly billing protects you when scope is uncertain or the client is change-prone. A common hybrid: fixed price for a defined scope with a clear change order clause — anything outside the spec is billed hourly. Always define scope in writing before starting.
How much does a freelance website cost in 2026?
A basic business website: $3,000–$15,000. E-commerce: $8,000–$30,000. Custom web app: $30,000–$150,000+. These are North American rates at mid-level experience. UK rates are ~20% lower in USD terms. Southeast Asia rates are ~60–75% lower. Use the Market Rates tab to see region-specific benchmarks.
What profit margin should I target on projects?
20–35% net margin is typical for established freelancers. Use the margin formula: Price = Costs ÷ (1 − Margin%). Remember: a 25% markup and a 25% margin are not the same — markup gives you only a 20% margin. See the Profit Margin Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How do I handle project scope creep?
Define scope precisely in your contract/proposal, then use a change order process for anything outside it. A change order specifies the additional work, hours, and cost — and requires client approval before you start. Some freelancers include a built-in revision allowance (e.g., two rounds of revisions) then charge hourly beyond that. The earlier you address scope creep, the easier it is to manage.