Your employer paid for a lot
In a job, your holidays, sick days, laptop, software, pension and the quiet weeks are paid for. Freelance, all of that comes out of your rate. That's why a fair freelance rate is often two to three times your old hourly pay.
Put in the take-home you want to keep, not your gross salary, then add the costs you'll now pay yourself: equipment, software, insurance, an accountant and a pension.
Questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
Add up what you want to keep in a year, the tax on it, and your business costs. Add a buffer for slow months. Divide by the hours a client actually pays for: working days × hours a day × the share you can bill.
How many hours can a freelancer bill?
Most bill 50 to 70% of their working time, because finding work, admin and invoicing take the rest. After holidays and sick days that's usually 1,000 to 1,300 hours a year.
How do I work out a day rate?
Your hourly rate × the hours in your working day. Worth shows both. Contractors often round the day rate up to a clean number.
Should I charge hourly or per project?
Hourly when the scope is unclear, per project when it's clear. Price a project from the same rate: hours you expect × your rate, plus a margin for revisions.
What is a break-even rate?
The rate that covers your take-home, tax and costs with nothing left for slow months. Quote above it; Worth's buffer is the gap.