Free GSA Per Diem Calculator
Look up official per diem rates published by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Organizations 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 provided in the Federal Travel Regulation (41 CFR 301-11.101) and deducts for meals provided by a host or conference.
Organizations with a written travel policy should budget according to that policy. GSA rates are the required default only when an organization has no acceptable written travel policy, and they're a widely recognized benchmark that reviewers expect to see either way.
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.
Rules last reviewed: 2026-10-06 — 2 CFR 200.475 · 41 CFR 301-11 (FTR) · GSA Per Diem Rates
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
When a meal is provided by a conference, host institution, or included in a registration fee, the GSA meal-breakdown amount for that meal must be deducted from the day's M&IE. This calculator applies the deduction proportionally — on first and last travel days, the deduction is also reduced to 75% to match the travel-day M&IE rate. GSA M&IE breakdown table.
GSA per diem rates cover the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia (CONUS). Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories use rates published by the DoD Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO). Foreign destinations use rates published by the U.S. Department of State. For any of these locations, check “Manually enter lodging and M&IE rates” and enter the official rates directly. You can also use the override for a rate set by your organization’s written travel policy or approved by your awarding agency.
- First and last calendar days of travel receive 75% of the daily M&IE rate (41 CFR §301-11.101).
- Lodging is capped at the per diem rate for each night of the trip; no lodging is claimed on the final day.
- Meals provided by a host or conference are deducted from M&IE using the GSA meal-breakdown amounts.
- If a location is not separately listed by GSA, the standard CONUS rate applies (FY 2027: $113 lodging / $68 M&IE).
- The federal fiscal year runs October 1 – September 30; trips spanning two fiscal years use the rate for the applicable FY.
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.
Related tools & guides
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- Federal Grant Proposal Submission Checklist— keep travel documentation on track..
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Frequently Asked Questions
What regulation governs per diem rates for federal grants?
For federal employees, per diem is governed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), 41 CFR Chapters 300–304, and GSA publishes new CONUS rates each October 1. For grant recipients and subrecipients, 2 CFR 200.475 controls: travel costs are allowable when they are reasonable and consistent with your organization's written travel policy. If your organization has no acceptable written travel policy, the federal rates (GSA per diem and the FTR) apply. Many organizations adopt GSA rates in their policies because reviewers and auditors recognize them.
What is the 75% rule for the first and last day of travel?
Under the FTR (41 CFR 301-11.101), federal travelers receive 75% of the applicable M&IE rate on the day they depart and the day they return. This calculator applies that reduction automatically so your budget narrative is already compliant.
Can I use per diem in a federal grant budget?
Yes. Travel costs, including per diem, are allowable under 2 CFR 200.475 when they are necessary for the project, reasonable, and consistent with your organization's written travel policy. If you have no written travel policy, federal per diem rates set the limit. Either way, document the basis for your rates in the budget justification.
What if my city is not listed?
Any location without its own GSA rate uses the standard CONUS rate, the default GSA sets for all non-designated localities. For FY 2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027), that is $113 for lodging and $68 for M&IE.
Do per diem rates cover international travel?
GSA rates cover CONUS only. Foreign travel uses U.S. Department of State per diem rates, and Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories use DoD DTMO rates. This calculator looks up CONUS rates automatically; for other locations, use the manual rate override and enter the official rates.