Hotel Per Diem Calculator
GSA per diem rates for lodging and meals — check compliance before you book
Trip Details
FY2026 GSA rates (last verified Sep 2026). Always confirm the current fiscal year at gsa.gov before expense reporting.
Per night
Per day — incidentals included
Actual Costs (Optional)
Enter actual costs to check compliance
Leave 0 to use per diem rate
Leave 0 to use per diem rate
Per Diem Allowance
Lodging Allowance
$942.00
$314/night × 3 nights × 1 traveler(s)
Meals & Incidentals
$258.00
$86/day (M&IE incl.)
Total Per Diem Budget
$1200.00
Compliance Check
Lodging Compliance
Within Limit
Actual: $942.00
Meals Compliance
Within Limit
Actual: $258.00
Budget Variance
+$0.00
Under budget
What is GSA per diem and who uses it?
The US General Services Administration (GSA) publishes per diem rates — daily allowances for lodging and meals — for federal employees on official travel. These rates are updated annually at the start of each fiscal year (October 1) and apply to thousands of cities and counties across the US.
Private companies adopt GSA rates because they provide a defensible, third-party benchmark that most employees and auditors recognize. Using GSA as your policy cap simplifies expense approvals, reduces disputes, and aligns with IRS guidelines on travel reimbursements. When a city isn't specifically listed by GSA, the standard CONUS rate applies: $107/night lodging and $59/day M&IE.
M&IE (Meals and Incidental Expenses) is a combined daily rate that covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a small incidentals allowance. Incidentals ($5/day in most markets) cover tips for hotel staff, laundry, and other minor out-of-pocket costs. The M&IE rate is already all-in — you don't add incidentals on top.
On the first and last day of any trip, GSA requires only 75% of the M&IE rate to be paid. This calculator uses full-day rates for simplicity; adjust your actual reimbursement claim accordingly.
GSA lodging per diem rates by city (FY2024)
| City | Lodging/night | M&IE/day |
|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | $327 | $79 |
| San Francisco, CA | $301 | $79 |
| Washington, DC | $275 | $79 |
| Boston, MA | $268 | $79 |
| Seattle, WA | $247 | $79 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $248 | $79 |
| Chicago, IL | $233 | $79 |
| Miami, FL | $230 | $74 |
| Austin, TX | $194 | $69 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $192 | $69 |
| Denver, CO | $188 | $69 |
| Nashville, TN | $193 | $69 |
| Standard (all other US) | $107 | $59 |
Source: GSA FY2024. Rates change annually — verify at gsa.gov before submitting expense reports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the GSA per diem for New York City?
For FY2024, the GSA lodging per diem for NYC is $327/night and the M&IE rate is $79/day. For a single traveler on a 3-night trip, that is $981 in lodging allowance and $237 in meals allowance ($1,218 total).
Does the GSA per diem include hotel taxes?
For federal employees, lodging taxes are reimbursed separately on top of the per diem rate. For private-sector travelers, whether taxes count against or are separate from the per diem cap depends on company policy.
What if I cannot find a hotel within the per diem rate?
Document your search showing available rooms exceeded the rate. Federal employees can receive approval to exceed the rate when no lower-cost rooms are available. Private-sector employees should get manager pre-approval before booking.
What is the standard per diem rate for unlisted cities?
Any US city not specifically listed by GSA falls under the standard CONUS rate: $107/night for lodging and $59/day for M&IE. This applies to most smaller cities and all rural locations.
Are GSA rates the same for all months?
No. GSA sets seasonal rates for many high-demand markets. For example, Miami has higher rates during winter months. Always look up rates for your specific travel dates at gsa.gov rather than relying on a single annual figure.