99Designs Money Calculator
Calculate your potential earnings and ROI from design contests
Contest Details
Your Earnings Breakdown
Platform Fee
Payout After Fees
Effective Hourly Rate
Return on Investment
Recent Calculations
99Designs Money Calculator: The Ultimate Guide for Designers
What is the 99Designs Money Calculator?
The 99Designs Money Calculator is an innovative tool designed specifically for freelance designers and creative professionals who participate in design contests on 99Designs. This powerful calculator helps you accurately estimate your potential earnings, understand platform fees, calculate your effective hourly rate, and determine the true return on investment for each design contest you enter.
Whether you’re a seasoned 99Designs veteran or just starting your design contest journey, this calculator provides valuable insights to help you make informed decisions about which contests to enter and how to maximize your earnings potential.
Key Features of the 99Designs Money Calculator
Real-time earnings calculations – See instant results as you adjust contest parameters
Platform fee breakdown – Understand exactly how much 99Designs deducts from each prize
Tax estimation – Calculate your net earnings after accounting for taxes
Hourly rate analysis – Determine if a contest is worth your time investment
ROI calculator – Measure your return on investment for each design contest
Multiple currency support – Work with USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD
Historical tracking – Save and compare your previous calculations
Social sharing – Share your results with other designers
How to Use the 99Designs Money Calculator: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Enter Contest Details
Start by inputting the contest prize amount in USD. The calculator automatically validates that the amount meets 99Designs’ minimum requirements.
Step 2: Select Contest Type
Choose from various design categories including:
Logo Design
Web Design
Product Design
Packaging Design
Brand Identity
Illustration
Each category has different platform fee structures, which the calculator automatically accounts for.
Step 3: Set Competition Parameters
Adjust the expected number of entries to gauge your winning probability. Fewer entries generally mean higher chances of winning, but may indicate less attractive prizes.
Step 4: Define Your Profile
Select your designer level:
Top Level: Experienced designers with proven track records
Mid Level: Established designers with moderate experience
Entry Level: New designers building their portfolios
Step 5: Choose Winning Position
Select your expected placement:
1st Place: Full prize amount (minus fees)
2nd Place: Typically 30% of the prize
3rd Place: Usually 20% of the prize
Finalist: Generally 10% of the prize
Step 6: Configure Advanced Options (Optional)
Currency Conversion: View earnings in your local currency
Tax Rate: Account for your specific tax situation
Time Investment: Estimate hours spent to calculate your effective hourly rate
Step 7: Analyze Your Results
The calculator provides comprehensive insights including:
Net earnings after fees and taxes
Platform fee amount and percentage
Effective hourly rate
Return on investment (ROI)
Win probability based on entries
Break-even analysis
Monthly income projections
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How accurate are the calculator’s estimates?
A: The calculator uses 99Designs’ actual fee structures and typical prize distributions. While individual results may vary, the estimates are highly accurate for planning purposes.
Q: Does the calculator account for different contest types having different fees?
A: Yes! The calculator automatically adjusts platform fees based on your selected contest type, with fees ranging from 7-10% depending on the category.
Q: Can I use this calculator for international currencies?
A: Absolutely! The tool supports USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD with real-time exchange rate approximations.
Q: How does the designer level affect my earnings?
A: Designer level influences your potential earnings through success rate adjustments. Top-level designers typically have higher win rates, while entry-level designers might need to adjust their expectations accordingly.
Q: What’s the benefit of calculating my effective hourly rate?
A: Understanding your hourly rate helps you determine if a contest is worth your time investment. This is crucial for maintaining profitability and avoiding underpaid projects.
Q: How does the ROI calculation work?
A: ROI is calculated by comparing your net earnings to your time investment, helping you understand the efficiency of your contest participation.
Q: Can I save my calculations for future reference?
A: Yes! The calculator stores your last 5 calculations locally, allowing you to track different scenarios and compare potential contests.
Q: Is my data secure when using the calculator?
A: All calculations are performed locally in your browser. No personal data or calculation results are transmitted to external servers.
Q: How often should I use the 99Designs Money Calculator?
A: We recommend using it for every contest you consider entering. This ensures you’re always making informed decisions about which opportunities to pursue.
Q: Can I share my calculations with other designers?
A: Yes! The built-in social sharing features allow you to easily share results via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or by copying direct links.
Why Every 99Designs Designer Needs This Tool
Make Smarter Contest Choices
Stop guessing which contests are worth your time. The calculator provides data-driven insights to help you focus on opportunities with the best earning potential.
Maximize Your Earnings
Understand exactly how platform fees, taxes, and time investment impact your bottom line. Identify contests that offer the best return for your effort.
Plan Your Business Strategy
Use the monthly income projections and historical tracking to plan your contest participation strategy and set realistic income goals.
Avoid Underpricing Your Work
The effective hourly rate calculation ensures you’re not spending valuable time on contests that don’t compensate you fairly for your expertise.
Learn as You Go
The historical tracking feature helps you analyze your contest patterns and identify which types of contests yield the best results for your specific skills and experience level.
Pro Tips for Maximum Benefit
Be Realistic About Time Investment: Accurately estimate how long a design will take you, including revisions and client communication.
Consider Your Win Probability: Use the entries slider to understand how competitive a contest is before investing time.
Factor in All Costs: Remember to account for software subscriptions, electricity, and other business expenses in your calculations.
Track Your Actual Results: Compare your calculator predictions with actual contest outcomes to improve your estimating accuracy over time.
Use the Comparison Feature: Save multiple scenarios to compare different contest options side-by-side.
Conclusion
The 99Designs Money Calculator is more than just a simple earnings estimator—it’s a comprehensive business tool that empowers designers to make informed decisions, maximize profits, and build sustainable freelance careers. By understanding the true financial implications of each contest you enter, you can focus your efforts on opportunities that align with your business goals and skill level.
Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or build a full-time freelance business on 99Designs, this calculator provides the financial clarity you need to succeed. Start using it today and take control of your design career!
Ready to optimize your 99Designs earnings? Try the calculator now and share your results with fellow designers!