Standard contractor day
A $640 day rate over 8 billable hours.
Hourly rate is $80.
This is the cleanest way to compare against hourly contracts.
Day Rate to Hourly Rate Calculator
Use this calculator when a client offers a day rate and you want to see what that looks like as an hourly number.
Inputs
Day Rate to Hourly Rate Calculator
Convert a day rate into an hourly rate and weekly equivalent.
Results
Rate conversion
See the hourly equivalent for a single day rate.
Hourly rate
$80.00
Day rate divided by billable hours.
Weekly equivalent
$3,200.00
Assumes a five-day week.
Monthly equivalent
$12,800.00
Assumes four working weeks.
Quick take
A quick read before you calculate
Use this calculator when a client offers a day rate and you want to see what that looks like as an hourly number.
Formula
Day rate to hourly rate formula
Examples
2-3 real scenarios to make the result easier to trust.
FAQ
Clear answers to the questions people usually ask first.
Formula
Day rate to hourly rate formula
Hourly rate = Day rate ÷ Billable hours per day. Weekly equivalent = Day rate × 5. Monthly equivalent = Day rate × 20.
This makes it easier to compare a day fee with hourly work, retained work, or full-time pay.
Examples
Higher specialist rate
A $1,000 day rate over 7 billable hours.
Hourly rate is about $142.86.
Shorter billable days can make the hourly equivalent look much higher.
Long day on site
A $720 day rate over 9 billable hours.
Hourly rate is $80.
This helps when on-site work stretches beyond the usual 8-hour assumption.
When to use
Use it when comparing freelance offers, setting your own rate, or deciding whether a day rate is actually worth it.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every day has the same billable hours.
- Ignoring travel, prep, or admin time that is not billable.
- Comparing a day rate without checking how many days are actually guaranteed.
FAQ
Should I always divide by eight hours?
Not always. Use the number of billable hours that actually applies to the job.
Why does the monthly equivalent use 20 days?
It is a practical working-month estimate, not a legal or payroll rule.
Next step
Want invoice and cost tracking with it?
QuickBooks or Xero can help you keep day rates, expenses, and client payments organized in one system.
Update the rate whenever your billable hours or working pattern changes.