Break-Even Point for Freelancers
Hours, days, and revenue break-even for designers, writers, devs & more
Hourly Break-Even Formula
Break-Even Hours
BE Hours = Monthly Fixed Costs ÷ (Hourly Rate − Variable Cost per Hour)
Variable cost = tools, platform fees, travel, etc.
Break-Even Days
BE Days = BE Hours ÷ Billable Hours per Day
Project Break-Even
Break-Even Projects
BE Projects = Annual Fixed Costs ÷ (Average Project Price − Variable Project Cost)
Project Variable Costs
- Stock assets (photos, graphics)
- Sub-contractor fees
- Software licenses (if billed to client)
Retainer Break-Even
Formula
BE Retainers = Monthly Fixed Costs ÷ (Retainer Fee − Variable Cost per Month)
Typical Freelancer Fixed Costs
- Co-working rent
- Software subscriptions
- Insurance & accounting
- Marketing & ads
Real Freelancer Examples
Graphic Designer – Hourly
Fixed: $2,400/mo
Rate: $75/hr
Variable: $5/hr (tools)
BE Hours = 2,400 ÷ (75 − 5) ≈ 35 hrs / mo
Web Developer – Project
Fixed: $3,600/mo
Avg. project: $3,000
Variable: $300
BE Projects = 3,600 ÷ (3,000 − 300) ≈ 1.3 projects / mo
Content Writer – Retainer
Fixed: $1,800/mo
Retainer: $1,200
Variable: $100/mo
BE Retainers = 1,800 ÷ (1,200 − 100) ≈ 2 retainers
Freelancer Break-Even Calculator
—
Download the Freelancer Template
Excel & Google Sheets ready for hourly, project, and retainer models.
Download CSV