How much should I charge on a freelance platform so I actually receive my target amount after its cut?
Enter the amount you want to receive as the cost, the platform's percentage as the fee, and a margin of zero. To receive 800 when the platform keeps 20%, charge 1000. Adding 20% to 800 gives 960, and of that you receive only 768.
Why adding the percentage falls short
The platform takes its share of the whole amount the client pays. Raise your bid to 960 and the platform takes 20% of 960, which is 192, leaving you 768. You added the percentage to your number, while the platform takes it from a bigger one. The fix is to divide what you want by the share left to you: 800 ÷ 0.8 = 1000.
Use the calculator in reverse
The Selling-price calculator was built for sellers, but its formula fits your case exactly when you enter the numbers this way:
- In the product cost field, enter the net amount you want to receive for the project.
- In the percentage fee field, enter the platform's rate from its terms or from your last payout.
- If the platform or your withdrawal method charges a fixed amount per payment, enter it in fixed fees.
- Set the margin to zero, since your profit is already inside the amount you typed. The result is labelled break-even, which is correct here.
Net target 800, 20% cut: charge 1000. The platform takes 200 and you receive 800.
Net target 800, 10% cut: charge 888.89.
Net 800 with a 20% cut plus a 10% cushion for revisions: charge 1142.86.
Where the net figure comes from
The amount you enter has to reflect what your time is really worth. If you work by the hour, estimate the hours the project will take and multiply by your rate; you can then log your real hours with the Timesheet calculator to see whether the estimate held. If projects keep running longer than planned, the cushion in the third example is not a luxury.
When the client is off-platform
If you deal with the client directly, there is no platform cut, and the transfer fee alone may be all you pay. Solve again with that fee only, and write your offer in the Quotation generator so the amount and the scope are clear from the start.
Common questions
Does it change if the client pays the platform a service fee?
The client's fee is not taken from you, so leave it out. Enter only what is deducted before the money reaches you.
Does the tool work out tax on my income?
No. The tool does not handle income tax and gives no tax advice.