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Prorated Rent Calculator

Moving in or out part-way through a month? Enter the rent and the date to see what you owe for that month, with all three common methods side by side.

By the ContractScanner Editorial TeamReviewed 6 Nov 2026Free · runs in your browser

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The move-in or move-out day itself counts as a rent day.

Your lease decides. If it is silent, "days in that month" is the usual choice. In a leap year the 365-day option uses 366.

Estimates only. Your lease and local law control how rent is prorated. Not legal or financial advice.

What is prorated rent?

Prorated rent is the part of a month's rent you pay when you live in a place for only part of that month, usually the month you move in or out. Instead of the full monthly amount, you pay for the days you actually have the unit.

Which method is right?

There isn't one national rule. Your lease decides first: look for words like "prorated", "per diem" or "daily rate" in the rent section. If the lease is silent, many landlords use the days in that month. Some use an annual daily rate (12 months of rent divided by 365) and a few use a 30-day month. As the comparison table shows, the method can change the answer by tens of dollars, so it's fair to ask which one the landlord used and to ask for the math in writing.

The three formulas

  • Days in that month: monthly rent ÷ days in that month (28 to 31) × days you have the unit.
  • 365-day year: monthly rent × 12 ÷ 365 (366 in a leap year) × days you have the unit.
  • 30-day month: monthly rent ÷ 30 × days you have the unit, capped at 30.

Does a landlord have to prorate rent?

Not always. In many places, prorating the first month is a business choice, and a lease can require a full month's rent on a stated date. The move-out month is different: if your lease ends mid-month, rent generally runs only through the end of the tenancy, and if you give proper notice mid-month in a month-to-month tenancy, the rules depend on your state. Check your lease and your state's landlord-tenant rules before assuming either way. Our guide to lease agreement red flags shows where the rent, notice and renewal terms usually hide.

Tips before you pay

  • Ask for the prorated amount and the method in writing (email is fine).
  • Check whether the security deposit and the first full month are due on the same day as the prorated rent, and run the deposit through the security deposit calculator to see whether it is over your state's limit.
  • If the landlord charges a full month for a few days, ask whether those days can be added to the end of the lease instead.
  • Not sure what the rest of the lease says? Scan it for a plain-language report; the free preview covers the first pages.

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate prorated rent?

Divide the monthly rent by the number of days in the month to get a daily rate, then multiply by the number of days you'll live there that month. Example: $1,500 rent in a 30-day month is $50 a day; 11 days is $550.

Is the move-in day counted?

Usually yes: rent is charged from the day you get the keys, including that day. This calculator counts both the move-in day and the move-out day. If your lease says otherwise, adjust the date.

Why does my landlord's number differ from mine?

They probably used a different method (a 365-day year or a 30-day month) or counted the days differently. Ask which method they used.

Can I prorate rent when I move out early?

Only if your lease or local law allows it. Breaking a lease early is a different question; our guide on how to legally break a lease explains the usual fees, notice rules and legal grounds.

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