๐Ÿ”Free ToolPricing & Profitability

Calculate Your Monthly Retainer Fee

Free retainer calculator for freelancers and agencies. Set your monthly hours, rate, and discount to find the right retainer price.

Retainer Details

Hours you'll dedicate each month

hrs
$

Reward for commitment (5โ€“15% is common)

%

Retainer Pricing

Monthly Retainer Fee

$1,800

What to invoice each month

Effective Hourly Rate

$90/hr

After discount applied

Full-Price Value

$2,000

What this would cost hourly

Annual Contract Value

$21,600

Total if renewed for 12 months

Client saves $2,400/year vs. hourly โ€” a compelling reason to sign a retainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a freelance retainer?โ–พ

A retainer is a monthly agreement where a client pays a fixed fee in advance for a set number of hours or deliverables. It provides predictable income for you and priority access for them.

How much discount should I give for a retainer?โ–พ

5โ€“15% is typical. The discount rewards the client for commitment and predictability, but shouldn't significantly cut into your profitability.

What should a retainer agreement include?โ–พ

Monthly hours or deliverables, rollover policy, scope boundaries, payment terms (usually upfront), and a termination clause with notice period.