How to use this business & freelance hub
Business calculators are where abstract planning meets a concrete number. Whether you are pricing a product, pitching a contract rate, or checking whether a new hire pencils out, the difference between a gut-feel answer and a spreadsheet-backed one is usually the margin between a profitable decision and a painful lesson.
The tools in this hub cover the core day-to-day operating questions: what to charge, what a sale actually earns you, when you break even, and how much a team member really costs once employer NI, pension and overheads are added in. For limited-company directors and contractors, there is also IR35 status modelling and the dividend-vs-salary optimisation that determines how much of your profit reaches your personal bank account.
These are first-line decision-support tools, not substitutes for proper accounting software. They are at their most useful before you commit — setting an hourly rate for a new engagement, reviewing whether a volume discount still leaves margin, or testing the cash-flow impact of a slow-paying client. Once you have a direction, move the final numbers into Xero, FreeAgent, or QuickBooks for formal tracking.
Start with Profit Margin or Break-Even if you are pricing a product, Hourly Rate if you are quoting your time, and Employee Cost if you are scoping a hire. Limited-company directors should pair the Dividend vs Salary tool with the IR35 Calculator to confirm the tax implications of each engagement. Every tool shows its formula — use it as a sanity check rather than a source of truth, and verify the final figures with your accountant.
Most popular calculators
Start with the tools people usually need first, then move into the grouped sections below for more specific scenarios.
Guides that support this category
Use these editorial guides when you need more context before choosing the right calculator.
Profit Margin vs Break-Even Calculator: What Every Business Needs to Know
Understand the difference between profit margin and break-even analysis for business planning.
8 min read
Business Owner Calculators
Manage business finances with profit margin, break-even, VAT, and business tax calculators.
11 min read
Salary Calculator vs Hourly Pay: Convert and Compare
Learn how to compare annual salary to hourly pay and understand the true value of your compensation.
7 min read
Pricing and margin
Tools for setting prices, calculating markups and margin, and working out the true cost to produce.
Profit Margin Calculator
Calculate gross profit, profit margin percentage, and markup for any business.
Markup Calculator
Markup Calculator helps you estimate the main outcome for Australia using Cost Price (£) and Markup (%). Use it to compare scenarios before making a final decision.
Cost Per Unit Calculator
Cost Per Unit Calculator helps you estimate the main outcome for Australia using Total Cost (£) and Number of Units. Use it to compare scenarios before making a final decision.
Break-Even Calculator
Calculate break-even point in units and revenue for your business.
Break Even Analysis
Break Even Analysis helps you estimate the main outcome for Australia using Fixed Costs (£), Selling Price Per Unit (£), and Variable Cost Per Unit (£). Use it to compare scenarios before making a final decision.
Contractor + director finances
For limited companies and consulting: hourly rates, IR35 status, and the dividend-vs-salary split.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate the minimum hourly rate you need to charge as a freelancer to hit your income goal.
IR35 Calculator
Calculate take-home pay inside IR35. See how much you keep from your contract rate after PAYE tax and NI.
Dividend vs Salary Calculator
Calculate the most tax-efficient salary and dividend split for limited company directors.
Employee Cost Calculator
Calculate the true total cost of an employee including employer NI, pension contributions and benefits.
Day-to-day operations
Invoicing, VAT, and the cash-flow models you lean on to keep the business liquid.
Invoice Totals Calculator
Calculate invoice totals including VAT or sales tax and discounts.
VAT Calculator
Add or remove VAT or sales tax from any amount. Works for any tax rate.
Cash Flow Calculator
Cash Flow Calculator helps you estimate the main outcome for Australia using Monthly Revenue (£), Cost of Goods Sold (£), and Operating Expenses (£). Use it to compare scenarios before making a final decision.