Freelance copywriters face a unique pricing problem: clients think in words, but your costs are in hours. This calculator works backwards from your income goal to find a rate that holds up across projects, retainers, and revision rounds.
// frequently asked questions
Should I charge per word or per hour as a copywriter?
Per-word pricing is common for blog posts and articles, but it penalises experienced writers who work faster. Hourly or project-based pricing is usually better once you know your rate. Use the calculator to establish your minimum hourly rate first, then convert: if you write 500 words per hour and need $80/hr, your minimum per-word rate is $0.16.
How should I price revision rounds?
Most copywriters include one or two revision rounds in their project rate. Additional rounds should be billed at your hourly rate. Build this into your quote upfront. Clients who need unlimited revisions are underestimating scope, not negotiating.
When does a retainer make sense?
A retainer works when a client needs consistent output every month: blog posts, newsletters, or social copy. Price it by estimating the monthly hours and applying a small discount (5-10%) for the predictability. Never discount more than 15% for retainer security alone.
How many billable hours should I count on per week?
Most freelance copywriters are 50-65% billable. The rest goes to pitching, briefs, admin, and research that clients do not pay for directly. If you work 40 hours, count on 20-26 billable hours in your rate calculation.