Legal Fee Calculator
Estimate attorney costs by practice area and billing type — hourly, flat-fee, or contingency
Approximate total hours for your case
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Quick summary
Attorney fees vary widely by practice area, billing type, and location. Most attorneys require an upfront retainer of 5–10 hours before starting work. Personal injury lawyers work on contingency (no fee unless you win). Always get a written fee agreement before engaging an attorney.
Reviewed by Simple Calculators TeamLast reviewed
How to use this calculator
- Enter the inputs requested by the calculator.
- Choose the units or options that match your situation and review the assumptions.
- Run or update the calculation to see the result.
- Review the result, breakdown, and formulas shown on the page.
- Check the inputs, units, dates, and limitations before saving or sharing the result.
Legal Fee Formulas
Hourly Fee Estimate
- Hourly Rate
- Attorney's rate per hour (varies by practice area and location)
- Estimated Hours
- Approximate time needed for your case
Worked example
Family law, 15 estimated hours
- Given
- Rate Range = $150–$350/hrHours = 15
- Calculation
- Result
- $2,250 – $5,250 estimated total
Contingency Fee (Personal Injury)
- Settlement Value
- Expected court award or negotiated settlement
- 33%
- Standard contingency rate (may range from 25–40%)
Worked example
$150,000 personal injury settlement
- Given
- Settlement = $150,000Rate = 33%
- Calculation
- Result
- $49,500 attorney fee
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer cost per hour?
Hourly rates vary by practice area and location. National averages: Family Law $150–$350/hr, Criminal Defense $100–$400/hr, Personal Injury $150–$400/hr, Corporate $250–$600/hr, Real Estate $150–$350/hr, Immigration $150–$350/hr, Estate Planning $150–$300/hr. Urban markets (NYC, LA, Chicago) typically run 50–100% higher.
What is a retainer fee?
A retainer is an upfront deposit paid before work begins — essentially pre-paying for the attorney's time. Most attorneys require a retainer of 5–10 hours of their rate. As they work, they draw down the retainer. Once depleted, you replenish it or are billed directly. Unused retainer is typically refunded.
What is a contingency fee and when is it used?
A contingency fee means the attorney only gets paid if you win. The fee is a percentage (usually 33%) of the settlement or judgment. This model is common in personal injury, medical malpractice, and some employment cases. If you lose, you owe no attorney fees but may still owe court costs.
What's the difference between a flat fee and hourly billing?
Flat fees offer cost certainty for well-defined, routine matters (simple wills, uncontested divorce, trademark applications). Hourly billing is more common for complex or unpredictable cases where the work required is hard to estimate upfront. Always clarify which billing model applies to your matter.
Are legal fees negotiable?
Yes, especially for new clients, large matters, or relationships involving multiple cases. You can negotiate lower rates, a blended rate (one rate regardless of which attorney works on your matter), or payment plans. Always discuss fees upfront and get the arrangement in writing.
Key terms
- Retainer
- Upfront deposit against which attorney fees are billed as work is performed
- Contingency Fee
- Attorney compensation as a percentage of the recovery — no win, no fee
- Billable Hour
- Time charged to the client, typically in 0.1 or 0.25 hour increments
- Flat Fee
- Fixed total cost for a defined legal service, regardless of time spent
Methodology, sources & limitations
This page shows the formula, assumptions, and limitations used for this estimate. Rates, thresholds, and other time-sensitive inputs can change, so verify them against the relevant official source before relying on a result.
For our review approach and the primary sources we consult, see the methodology and source policy. If you spot an outdated figure or formula, please contact us with a correction.