---
title: "Deposit and milestone calculator: a payment plan"
description: "Free deposit and milestone calculator. Split a project fee into a deposit and equal milestone payments that always add back to the full fee."
canonical: "https://www.meadowdesk.com/tools/deposit-and-milestone-calculator"
last_modified: "2026-10-27"
---

# Deposit and milestone calculator

Source: https://www.meadowdesk.com/tools/deposit-and-milestone-calculator

Free deposit and milestone calculator. Split a project fee into a deposit and equal milestone payments that always add back to the full fee.

Split a project fee into a deposit up front and equal milestone payments after it, so the schedule always adds back to the full fee.

## How to use it

1. Enter the total project fee you agreed.
2. Set how many milestone payments follow the deposit.
3. Slide the deposit to the share you want before work begins, in steps of 5%.
4. Copy the deposit and each milestone payment into your proposal and contract, with the deliverable each one is due on.

## Deposit and milestone calculator FAQ

**How much deposit should I ask for?**
25–50% is common for freelance projects. A larger deposit suits short projects, new clients and work with costs you pay up front; a smaller one can make sense for a long-standing client on a long project.

**Should the deposit cover my costs?**
Ideally, yes. If the project needs printing, licenses or subcontractors you pay for before the client pays you, ask for at least that much up front, so you never fund the client’s project yourself. The [markup and margin calculator](https://www.meadowdesk.com/tools/markup-and-margin-calculator) prices those costs.

**Is a deposit refundable?**
Only if your contract says so. Many freelancers make it non-refundable, because it reserves time in their calendar. Write that into the agreement: the [freelance contract template](https://www.meadowdesk.com/tools/freelance-contract-template) has a deposit clause.

**How many milestones should a project have?**
One payment per natural stage: two or three for most projects, more for anything longer than a few months. Fewer, larger payments mean less admin; more, smaller ones keep cash flowing.

**When should I send the deposit invoice?**
As soon as the proposal is accepted, and before any work starts: the [freelance proposal template](https://www.meadowdesk.com/tools/proposal-template) names the deposit invoice as the next step. Then invoice each milestone the day it’s delivered.