The Raise Plan — Free Tool
The 3-Number Calculator
From Chapter 7 of The Raise Plan. Turn your researched target into a defensible opening ask and a walk-away point — then stress-test them against a real offer.
Step 1 — Your three numbers
This is the core of the tool. Everything else on this page is optional.
Your specific, triangulated market number — not a round figure.
Chapter 7 recommends 5–10% above target (8% by default). Outside that range the ask stops working well.
Decided on a calm day, before any pressure. Normally the low end of your researched range from Chapter 6. This tool does not calculate it for you — that number has to be yours.
Step 2 — Convert to total compensation value (optional)
From Chapter 5’s six components, run forward against all three numbers above.
Blank assumes guaranteed (100%), which may overstate the value.
Step 3 — Stress-test against a real offer
From Chapter 7’s stress-testing section. Type in an actual number you’ve received and get the matching response.
Enter your target, walk-away, and a real offer above to see the matching script.
You have your ask. Now write the email.
Turn the number above into a ready-to-send counteroffer, using the exact five-part structure from Chapter 8.
Open the Email Generator →How does the salary negotiation calculator work?
The calculator turns one researched number into the three numbers you need before you negotiate.
- Target. The specific market number from your research. You enter it.
- Opening ask. Your target plus padding. The default padding is 8 percent, and the useful range is 5 to 10 percent. With a target of $86,000, an 8 percent padding gives an opening ask of about $92,900.
- Walk-away. The lowest number you would accept. You enter it. The calculator does not choose it for you.
How do you use it?
- Enter your target and your walk-away. The calculator works out your opening ask.
- Add benefits if you want the full picture. Retirement match, bonus, paid time off, and health premiums are converted into a total compensation value.
- Test a real offer. Enter the number you received to see how it compares with your three numbers.
If you do not have a target yet, start with salary market research. Once you have your numbers, see how to counter a job offer.