Per Diem Calculator: Daily Rate From Total Allowance
Work out the daily per diem rate from a total business travel allowance — the figure to compare against published government and company rates.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Per diem rate |
|---|---|
| $2,000 / 10 days | $200.00 |
| $600 / 4 days | $150.00 |
| $15,000 / 60 days | $250.00 |
| $180 / 3 days | $60.00 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter the total travel allowance and the number of travel days. The calculator divides one by the other to give the per diem rate. Many policies pay 75% of the rate on the first and last day; the calculator gives the average daily figure across the full trip.
The Formula
Cost per Unit
Total Amount is the full cost or price, Quantity is the number of units it covers
Worked Example
A $2,000 allowance across 10 travel days works out to $200 a day. US GSA standard meals and incidentals rates run $59 to $79 a day for most cities; lodging is reimbursed separately, often $96 to $300 depending on city — higher in DC, NYC, San Francisco, and seasonal markets.
Key Insight
Per diem is one of the few business travel expenses that benefits from spending less than the cap — many policies let you keep the unspent portion as personal cash, taxable as income. The opposite trap is going over the rate and submitting an expense report instead; receipts and management approvals usually slow reimbursement significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is per diem?
A fixed daily allowance covering travel-related expenses — typically meals and incidentals, sometimes lodging. It replaces individual receipt-by-receipt reimbursement with a flat daily rate.
How is per diem calculated?
Divide the total allowance by travel days. A $2,000 allowance across 10 days is a $200 daily per diem.
Is per diem taxable?
Generally no, if it stays within IRS-published rates and the company uses an accountable plan. Amounts above the published rate or paid without proper documentation can become taxable income.
Can I keep the unspent per diem?
Usually yes — that is the trade-off for accepting a flat rate. Some companies require unspent amounts to be returned; check the specific policy.
What if I spend more than the rate?
The overage is typically out of pocket unless you switch to expense reporting with receipts and approval. Per diem is meant to settle small variations without paperwork — large overruns usually need a different mechanism.
Related Calculators
Methodology & Review
Per diem is total allowance divided by travel days. Use GSA, federal, or company-published rates as a benchmark, and remember partial travel days are typically reimbursed at 75% of the daily rate under standard policy.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 17, 2026.