Evaluate whether a project is worth taking based on effort, risk, margin, and opportunity cost.
Last updated: February 23, 2026
Not every project that comes your way deserves a yes. The best freelancers are selective, taking projects that align with their rate goals, skill growth, and portfolio needs. This calculator helps you make that decision with data instead of gut feelings.
A project budget of $5,000 sounds great until you realize it requires 80 hours of work, putting your effective rate at $62.50/hour. Always divide the total budget by realistic hours (not optimistic estimates) to find your true rate. Then compare it to what you could earn spending that time on other work.
Studies show that most projects exceed their initial time estimates by 20-50%. Vague requirements, indecisive clients, and missing specifications are the top culprits. This calculator adjusts your effective rate based on the realistic risk of scope expansion, giving you a more honest picture.
Sometimes a below-rate project is still worth taking: if it fills a portfolio gap, leads to recurring work, comes from a high-profile client, or helps you learn a new skill. Just make sure you are making that choice consciously, not out of desperation.
Evaluate whether a project is worth taking based on effort, risk, margin, and opportunity cost. This tool runs in-browser for fast results without account setup.
Yes. Is This Project Worth It? Calculator is free to use on ConvertCrunch.
Results depend on the inputs and assumptions you provide. Always validate final numbers or outputs against your official workflow before publishing or filing.
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