Understanding Blended Hourly Rate
How we calculate. Blended $/hr = fees ÷ hours. See our methodology and accuracy policy .
Real-world scenario: A typical Blended Hourly Rate case uses total fees 96000 and total hours 240. Enter the same figures below to reproduce the worked path.
What is Blended Hourly Rate?
Useful for AFAs, staffing mix reviews, and comparing partner-heavy vs associate-levered matters.
- Same fee and hour scope
- Gross or realized fees—label which
- Not the same as effective rate if hours exclude non-billable
The Formula
Worked Example
Common Use Cases
- Matter pricing: staff mix checks
- AFA design: target blend
- Client reports: average rate
Pro Tips
- Exclude pure admin if policy says so
- Compare to rack rates
- Segment by phase
| Scenario | When to use |
|---|---|
| Percent of a number | Finding a part of a whole (tax, tip, score) |
| Percent change | Comparing old vs new values |
Limitations: Blended Hourly Rate results are educational practice-management aids only—not legal advice, fee advice, or a substitute for counsel, ethics rules, or engagement letters. Confirm definitions with your firm policies and applicable professional rules.
Common mistakes
- Swapping part and whole: The denominator must be the full total, not a subset.
- Rounding too early: Carry extra decimal places through multi-step work before rounding the final percent.
- Mixing percent and decimal forms: Enter rates in the format the calculator labels expect.
The worked example for blended hourly rate was verified with the calculator form on this page—enter the same values to confirm the result.
When to use this calculator
- Use this page when your wording matches blended hourly rate and the form labels on screen.
- Use percent of a number for “what is X% of Y?” problems.
- Use number is what percent when you know part and whole and need the percent.
Still unsure about blended hourly rate? Start with the quick answer above, then open the linked calculator that matches your wording.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this blended hourly rate calculator?
For blended hourly rate (percentage calculator), enter the values labeled on the form, then press Calculate. Compare the result to the worked example on this page.
What formula does this page use?
See the quick answer and formula box above for blended hourly rate—the same percentage calculator expression is applied to your inputs.
What if my result looks wrong?
When checking blended hourly rate, re-check part vs whole (or rate vs base), rounding, and whether percents were entered as 25 rather than 0.25 when the form expects percents.
Authoritative References
For practice-management concepts and professional rules, consult:
- American Bar Association — ethics and practice resources
- Law Practice Today — practice management articles
- NABE — legal administrators community