Prorated Rent Calculator
Work out prorated rent for a move-in or move-out partway through the month. Enter your monthly rent and date to see what you owe, the daily rate and how the three common proration methods compare.
Estimate only. Your lease and local law decide how rent is prorated. Amounts are rounded to the cent.
How to calculate prorated rent
Prorated rent charges you only for the days you live in the home during a partial month. With the most common method, it takes three steps:
- Find the daily rate. Divide the monthly rent by the number of days in that month (28, 29, 30 or 31).
- Count the days. Moving in: count from the move-in day through the last day of the month. Moving out: count from the 1st through your move-out day.
- Multiply. Daily rate × days = prorated rent.
Because months have different lengths, the same move-in day costs a little more in a short month like February than in a 31-day month.
The three proration methods
| Method | Daily rate | $1,800 rent, 20 days |
|---|---|---|
| Days in the month (most common) | Rent ÷ days in that month | $1,161.29 (31-day month) |
| 365-day year | Rent × 12 ÷ 365 | $1,183.56 |
| 30-day (banker’s) month | Rent ÷ 30 | $1,200.00 |
The yearly method gives the same daily rate in every month, so it evens out short and long months. The 30-day method is simple to work out by hand but slightly favors the landlord in 31-day months and the tenant in February. If your lease does not say which method applies, ask the landlord before you pay.
Worked example: moving in on October 12
You sign a lease at $1,800 a month and move in on October 12, 2026. October has 31 days, and your landlord uses the days-in-month method.
- Daily rate: $1,800 ÷ 31$58.06
- Days you pay for: October 12 to 3120 days
- Prorated rent: $1,800 ÷ 31 × 20$1,161.29
- Saved vs. a full month$638.71
Your first full rent payment of $1,800 would then be due on November 1. When budgeting for a move, remember the security deposit and moving costs too. Our savings goal calculator can help you plan how much to set aside.
Prorated rent quick table (30-day month)
Prorated rent for a move-in on different days of a 30-day month, such as November, using the days-in-month method:
| Monthly rent | 5th | 10th | 15th | 20th | 25th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $866.67 | $700.00 | $533.33 | $366.67 | $200.00 |
| $1,500 | $1,300.00 | $1,050.00 | $800.00 | $550.00 | $300.00 |
| $2,000 | $1,733.33 | $1,400.00 | $1,066.67 | $733.33 | $400.00 |
| $2,500 | $2,166.67 | $1,750.00 | $1,333.33 | $916.67 | $500.00 |
Moving in on the 10th of a 30-day month means paying for 21 days, the 10th through the 30th, which is 70% of a full month’s rent.
Tips before you pay prorated rent
- Read the lease. It should say whether rent is prorated, which method is used and whether the move-in day counts.
- Watch for a full first month. Some landlords collect a full month up front and prorate the second month. The total is the same, but you need more cash on move-in day.
- Check notice rules when moving out. Leases often require 30 or 60 days’ notice, and you may owe rent through the end of the notice period even if you leave earlier.
- Get it in writing. Ask for the prorated amount and due date in an email or on the lease.
- Plan the whole move. If rent is a big share of your budget, see our guide on how much to save each month.
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 live there that month. For $1,800 rent and a move-in on October 12, that is $1,800 ÷ 31 = $58.06 a day × 20 days = $1,161.29.
What does prorated rent mean?
Prorated rent is a partial month's rent that covers only the days you actually live in the home. It is common when you move in or move out partway through a month.
Is the move-in day included in prorated rent?
Usually, yes. Most landlords count the move-in day as a day you pay for, and on move-out they count the last day you have the keys. Check your lease, since it controls how days are counted.
Do landlords have to prorate rent?
Not always. Whether rent is prorated depends mainly on your lease and on state and local law. Some landlords charge a full first month and prorate the second month instead. Ask before you sign and get the amount in writing.
Which prorated rent method is most common?
The daily method based on the actual days in the month is the most widely used. Some landlords use a yearly method (12 months of rent ÷ 365 days) or a 30-day banker's month. The difference is usually a few dollars to a few dozen dollars.
This calculator is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. How rent is prorated depends on your lease and on state and local law. Confirm the amount with your landlord or property manager before paying.