Day rate calculator
A free calculator for UK sole traders and freelancers that works backwards from the income you want to keep: it adds income tax, Class 4 National Insurance and your business costs, then divides by the days you bill, using 2026/27 rates.
How it works
Enter what you want to keep in a year, the days you can actually invoice, your business costs and where you live for tax. The calculator finds the profit that leaves you that amount after income tax and National Insurance, adds your costs to get the turnover you need, and divides by your billable days.
The rate is before VAT. If you are VAT registered, VAT is charged on top and paid over to HMRC.
Who it is for
Sole traders taxed on their profit. It does not cover work inside IR35 or through a limited company, which are taxed differently, and it treats this work as your only income.
Common questions
How many billable days should I use?
Only the days you can invoice. Leave out holidays, bank holidays, sick days, training and the time spent on admin and finding work.