Try the calculator
Runs in your browser. No signup, upload or saved inputs.
When this is useful
The calculator makes a budget reviewable by showing labour, fixed costs and the contingency allowance separately. It uses one currency of your choice and performs no exchange-rate conversion.
How to use this calculator
- Enter estimated hours for each stage. Include internal review and source preparation rather than counting only time spent in an editor.
- Use a consistent blended rate and enter known fixed costs such as approved licences. If roles have different rates, calculate their weighted estimate separately before using a blended input.
- Add a contingency percentage to the subtotal and review the assumptions with the deliverables. Update the estimate when formats, languages or revision scope change.
Worked calculation
An illustrative 10 hours at 60 currency units per hour gives 600 in labour. Adding 40 in fixed costs produces a 640 subtotal. A 10% contingency adds 64, making the planned total 704 currency units.
Formula and units
Labour = total hours × hourly rate. Subtotal = labour + fixed costs. Total = subtotal × (1 + contingency percentage ÷ 100).
Limits and checks
Taxes, exchange rates and product-specific service charges are not calculated. A zero cost input means you chose zero, not that a tool or service is free. This is a planning aid and not a guarantee of final spend.
Your next step
Attach the creative brief and revision assumptions to the estimate, then compare actual hours after the project.
References and scope
Examples are illustrative production guidance, not measured customer results. General workflows are not promises of product compatibility. Read our editorial approach and current Demovela scope.