DailyRate

Per Diem Calculator

Daily rate × days — the total allowance for a business trip.

Daily rate

Number of days

Total per diem

$375

What you entered

Daily rate: $75Days: 5

1
Per diem total
$75 × 5 days= $375.00

Result

Total per diem: $375

$75 per day across 5 days totals $375.

Per diem totals by rate and trip length

Total reimbursement is the daily rate times the number of days. Rates below span typical US GSA meals and incidentals bands.

Daily rate	Days	Total
$59	3	$177
$59	5	$295
$79	5	$395
$79	10	$790
$107	5	$535
$155	14	$2,170

Most schemes pay only 75% of the rate on the first and last day of travel, so a 5-day trip is often reimbursed as 4.5 days. Rates are set by destination and are published annually; check the current figure for the specific city rather than a national average.

A simple multiplication, with real stakes

Per diem totals are simple to calculate but easy to get wrong on partial travel days (arrival/departure days are often paid at a reduced rate) — always check your organization's specific policy on partial days before assuming a flat multiply.

Why employers use per diem rates

A flat daily allowance is simpler to administer than reimbursing itemized receipts for every meal and incidental expense, while still giving travelers a predictable, fair budget for expenses on the road.

Frequently asked questions

My per diem is $75/day for a 5-day business trip — what's my total allowance?

$375 total. But check your organization's policy on travel days — many employers pay 75% of the daily rate on arrival and departure days, which would reduce the total to $337.50.

Do I keep leftover per diem money?

It depends on your employer's policy. Many organizations let you keep any unspent per diem as it's a flat allowance, not a reimbursement. Others require receipts and only reimburse actuals up to the per diem cap.

What are the standard GSA per diem rates?

The U.S. General Services Administration sets federal per diem rates by city. The standard CONUS rate is $59/day for meals and incidentals, but high-cost cities like New York ($79) and San Francisco ($79) have higher rates. Lodging rates vary more widely.

How does per diem work for partial travel days?

Most organizations pay a reduced rate (typically 75%) on the first and last day of travel, since you're only traveling part of the day. Full per diem applies to days entirely spent at the destination.