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Enter your service details and see a transparent, step-by-step breakdown of what to charge — based on your time, materials and business costs.
How long does this service take, start to finish?
Gel, acrylic, nail art supplies, etc. for one service.
How much you want to earn per hour of work, before overhead.
Rent, software, insurance, supplies not counted above — per month.
Average number of appointments you complete per month.
Add a buffer above cost. Many nail techs use 10–20%.
Every number shown, every step explained.
Labor cost
(60 min ÷ 60) × $35/hr
Overhead per appointment
$400 overhead ÷ 40 appts
Materials
Base price
labor + overhead + materials
Suggested price
$60.00
Effective hourly rate: $60.00/hr
This is a cost-based estimate. Your actual price should also reflect your experience, local market rates, the complexity of the specific design, and client demand. Location and skill level matter as much as the math.
The calculator uses cost-based pricing: you start with what it costs you to deliver the service, then add the profit margin you want on top. Unlike guessing or copying competitor prices, cost-based pricing ensures you're always covering your costs — and making progress toward your income goals.
There are four components:
Labor cost
How much your time is worth for this service. If you target $35/hr and the service takes 60 minutes, your labor cost is $35. A 90-minute appointment costs $52.50 in labor.
Overhead per appointment
Your monthly fixed costs (rent, software, insurance, tools) divided by how many appointments you do. If you pay $400/month in overhead and do 40 appointments, each appointment carries $10 of overhead.
Material cost
The consumables used in the service — gel, acrylic, nail art supplies, gloves, prep products. Estimate per service, not per bottle.
Profit margin (optional)
A buffer above your break-even. At 15% margin, a $60 base price becomes $70.59. This gives you room for slow months, price stability and business reinvestment.
The calculator tells you your floor — the minimum you need to charge to cover your costs and hit your income target. But your actual market price can and often should be higher, based on:
Use this calculator to set your floor, then research your local market to set your ceiling.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Service duration | 60 min |
| Target hourly income | $35/hr |
| Materials (gel, nail prep, etc.) | $12 |
| Monthly overhead | $350 |
| Monthly appointments | 45 |
| Profit margin | 10% |
In this example, charging $60 covers all costs and hits the target rate. If market rates for gel manicures in your area are $70–$80, you have room to price higher without losing clients.
How do I estimate my material cost per service?
Divide the cost of each supply by how many uses you get from it. A $20 bottle of gel base coat used 50 times = $0.40 per service. Add up all consumables: gel, top coat, nail prep, forms, foils, nail art supplies, gloves. Most gel manicures run $8–$20 in materials depending on complexity.
What counts as overhead?
Anything you pay monthly to run your business that isn't tied to a specific service: rent or booth fee, salon software subscriptions, insurance, phone, marketing spend, tools and equipment that aren't consumable. Don't include your personal income — that's captured in your target hourly rate.
Should I charge the same price for every client?
For standard services, consistent pricing is generally easier to manage and communicate. For add-ons, nail art complexity or longer-than-booked services, it's fair to charge more — but make your pricing policy clear before clients book.
How often should I recalculate my prices?
Revisit your pricing any time your costs change significantly — when product prices rise, when you move to a new space, when you buy new equipment, or when you raise your income target. Many nail techs review pricing annually at minimum.
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