Start with the hourly economics
Your retainer still needs to cover the same income target, taxes, expenses, weeks off, and non-billable time as project work.
Retainer pricing
Retainer pricing calculator
Use the calculator to find your hourly floor, then price retainers around expected monthly hours, access, priority, and recurring responsibility.
Guide
How to price a freelance retainer
Price access separately
A retainer is not only a bundle of hours. It can include reserved capacity, faster response times, recurring meetings, reporting, and continuity that has business value.
Define rollover and scope rules
Before selling a retainer, decide whether unused hours roll over, what counts against the retainer, and how out-of-scope work is billed.
Blog
Read more practical money notes
The blog expands on pricing, cash flow, runway, and balance-sheet thinking without tying this page to unrelated calculators.
Next step
Check the personal balance sheet behind your rate
The calculator gives you a pricing floor. The 12-month workbook helps you see assets, debts, obligations, net worth, runway, and cash flow before you make bigger pricing decisions.
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FAQ
Common questions for retainer pricing calculator
Is this a finished price or a floor?
The calculator gives you a floor. You can quote higher when the work is urgent, specialized, strategic, or likely to involve extra coordination.
Why do taxes and weeks off matter?
Freelance work has fewer billable hours than a normal salary job, and the tax burden sits on the business side. The inputs make that difference visible before you commit to a rate.
Can I use this for project, day, or retainer pricing?
Yes. Start with the hourly floor, then translate it into a fixed fee, day rate, or retainer after you estimate the number of hours, access, and scope involved.
Is this tax or legal advice?
No. It is a planning tool. Confirm tax, legal, and financial decisions with a qualified professional if the numbers will affect formal filings or contracts.