Travel Calculators

Per diem calculator.

Enter the first and last day of travel, the daily meals and incidentals (M&IE) rate for the destination and the nightly lodging rate. The calculator applies the 75% rule to the first and last travel day and totals the trip. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.

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Trip

Look up the rate for your destination and travel dates at gsa.gov/perdiem (U.S. government rates are set each fiscal year) or in your employer's policy.

The U.S. federal rule is 75%. Change it if your employer's policy differs.

Result

Fill the form and press Calculate.

Worked example

A trip from 5 to 9 October 2026 is 5 calendar days. With an M&IE rate of 80: the first and last days are paid at 75% (60.00 each) and the 3 days in between at 80, giving 360.00. Lodging for 4 nights at 150 is 600.00. Total per diem: 960.00.

How it works

The U.S. Federal Travel Regulation (41 CFR 301-11.101) pays meals and incidentals at 75% of the daily rate for the first and last calendar day of travel. This calculator applies that: M&IE = full days x rate + 2 x rate x 75% (a one-day trip is one day at 75%; the regulation applies 75% to trips of more than 12 but less than 24 hours, so check your agency's rule for shorter same-day trips). Lodging is separate: nights x lodging rate.

Per diem rates depend on the destination and the date. The tool does not look them up, so enter the figure from your source. If meals are provided at a conference or by a host, the federal rules reduce the M&IE by set amounts for each provided meal; this tool does not model those deductions. Employers may use other rules, so follow your own policy.

Sources and basis (checked 2026-10-05): U.S. Federal Travel Regulation, 41 CFR 301-11.101 (75% on first and last day of travel); rates from gsa.gov/perdiem, entered by you. Checked 2026-10-05.

FAQ

What is a per diem?

A daily allowance for travel costs such as meals and incidentals, and sometimes lodging, paid at a set rate instead of reimbursing each receipt.

Why is the first and last day 75%?

Under U.S. federal travel rules, travel days are partial days, so M&IE is paid at 75% of the daily rate on the first and last calendar day of travel.

Where do I find the rate?

U.S. government rates by city and fiscal year are published by the GSA at gsa.gov/perdiem. Employers and other governments publish their own.

Does it include lodging?

Optionally. Lodging is entered per night and multiplied by the number of nights, which is days minus one.

How are provided meals handled?

Not here. Federal rules deduct set amounts for meals provided. Adjust the M&IE rate by hand if that applies to your trip.

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