noun

flat rate

flat RAYT

Flat rate (noun) means a fixed charge that stays the same no matter how much of a service is used, how long it takes or how far it travels. Example: “The plumber charges a flat rate of £90 for any call-out within the city.”

noun

A fixed charge that stays the same no matter how much of a service is used, how long it takes or how far it travels.

"The plumber charges a flat rate of £90 for any call-out within the city."

"Shipping is a flat rate of $5 regardless of weight."

adjective

Charged or paid at a single fixed amount rather than varying with usage, time or income.

"They moved staff onto a flat-rate bonus instead of commission."

"Several countries have replaced tiered income tax with a flat-rate system."

How to use flat rate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOne set price that does not change however much you use.

When to use it

Two words as a noun, hyphenated before another noun: "a flat rate" but "flat-rate pricing".

Memory tip

Flat rate is about the amount not varying with usage; fixed rate, in lending, is about an interest rate not varying over time.

Easily confused with

fixed rate flat fee hourly rate

Common pairings

flat-rate pricing flat-rate shipping flat rate of charge a flat rate flat-rate tax

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The plumber charges a _____ of £90 for any call-out within the city.

Synonyms

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fixed fee fixed charge set price flat fee fixed flat uniform

Antonyms

variable rate metered rate hourly rate tiered graduated progressive

Related words

even level standard standing agreed progress fixed equal

Rhymes for flat rate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

See all rhymes for flat rate →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a flat rate and an hourly rate?

A flat rate is one agreed price for the whole job, whatever it takes. An hourly rate multiplies a price by the time spent, so the final bill is unknown until the work is done. Flat rates give customers certainty; hourly rates protect the worker if the job runs long.

What is the difference between flat rate and fixed rate?

They overlap, but flat rate usually means a single price for a service regardless of quantity used, while fixed rate usually describes an interest rate on a loan or mortgage that will not change during an agreed period.

What is the meaning of flat rate?

"flat rate" (noun) means a fixed charge that stays the same no matter how much of a service is used, how long it takes or how far it travels.

What is another word for flat rate?

Other words for "flat rate" include fixed fee, fixed charge, set price, flat fee, fixed, flat.

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even level standard standing agreed progress fixed equal