Federal Per Diem Calculator for Business Trips
Look up official per diem rates published by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the federal agency that sets the maximum lodging and meal reimbursement rates that federal travelers may claim. Private agencies and grant writers may use these rates to estimate the total maximum reimbursement for travel costs in their federal budgets and grant proposals. It applies the 75% first-and-last-day reduction to Meals & Incidental Expenses (M&IE) — the daily allowance covering food, tips, and small travel incidentals — as required by the Federal Travel Regulation, and deducts for meals provided by a host or conference.
Private agencies are not required to use these rates in their federal budgets and proposals if they already have agency-approved travel policy rates. Yet using these GSA rates is strongly recommended as a best practice that aligns well with federal grant reviewers' expectations, and is required as the default if your agency does not have approved rates.
Under 2 CFR § 200.475, airline travel costs are allowable only at the “basic least expensive unrestricted accommodations class” offered by commercial airlines — commonly understood as standard coach/economy class.
This is a planning tool, not official travel authorization. Always verify current rates at gsa.gov/perdiem before submitting a federal expense report.
Trip Destination Details
Oct 1 – Sep 30
Meals Provided by Host or Conference (optional, per day)
Check any meals that are provided each day (e.g., a conference luncheon). The GSA meal-breakdown amount for each provided meal is deducted from that day's M&IE.
How It Works
This tool provides estimates based on official GSA data for grant management and travel planning purposes. Always verify current rates at gsa.gov before submitting a federal expense report.