Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) Calculator
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) is a military PCS allowance that partly covers lodging and meals while a Service member or family stays in temporary lodging in the CONUS. It pays 21 days when reporting to a CONUS duty station, 7 when moving overseas, up to $290 a day, as a percentage of locality per diem.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Rules checked against the JTR and DTMO FAQ October 26, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Where, when and how long
TLE uses the locality per diem of the place where you occupy the temporary lodging: the old or new duty station, home of record, initial technical school or designated place. San Diego covers San Diego. FY2027 rates (100%): lodging $208 a night for November, M&IE $86 a day.
Rates are GSA per diem for the 48 contiguous states and DC (CONUS). Alaska, Hawaii and the territories are not in this tool.
Each day uses the fiscal year and month it falls in, so days on or after October 1 switch to the new fiscal year's rates. Rates held for FY2026 and FY2027, dates from 2025-10-01 to 2027-09-30.
Who is in the temporary lodging
Count only people who occupy the lodging. Dependents are added oldest first. If you are married to another Service member, each of you calculates TLE separately and cannot claim the same dependent on the same days.
Lodging
Example result (sample inputs) — change the inputs above
$2,030.00
for 7 days at 125% of the locality rates (3 people)
- Daily maximum
- $290.00
- Days reduced by the maximum
- 7
The 21 days (or 7 for an OCONUS move) are a total across all locations (JTR 050601-B2); days already used at the old PDS count against the new one (JTR Table 5-15, row 1). This tool does not split days between old and new PDS, so enter only the days you will claim here.
An estimate only. Your finance office decides what is paid, and you need itemized lodging receipts.
Day-by-day, in the four DTMO steps
| Date | Rate | 1: Lodging ceiling | 1: M&IE | 2: Lodging | 3: Daily total | 4: TLE for the day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 11/2/2026 | FY2027, San Diego: $208.00 + $86.00 | $260.00 | $107.50 | $215.00Actual cost | $322.50 | $290.00daily maximum applied |
| Tue 11/3/2026 | FY2027, San Diego: $208.00 + $86.00 | $260.00 | $107.50 | $215.00Actual cost | $322.50 | $290.00daily maximum applied |
| Wed 11/4/2026 | FY2027, San Diego: $208.00 + $86.00 | $260.00 | $107.50 | $215.00Actual cost | $322.50 | $290.00daily maximum applied |
| Thu 11/5/2026 | FY2027, San Diego: $208.00 + $86.00 | $260.00 | $107.50 | $215.00Actual cost | $322.50 | $290.00daily maximum applied |
| Fri 11/6/2026 | FY2027, San Diego: $208.00 + $86.00 | $260.00 | $107.50 | $215.00Actual cost | $322.50 | $290.00daily maximum applied |
| Sat 11/7/2026 | FY2027, San Diego: $208.00 + $86.00 | $260.00 | $107.50 | $215.00Actual cost | $322.50 | $290.00daily maximum applied |
| Sun 11/8/2026 | FY2027, San Diego: $208.00 + $86.00 | $260.00 | $107.50 | $215.00Actual cost | $322.50 | $290.00daily maximum applied |
| Total | $2,030.00 | |||||
Worked example: member, spouse and a child under 12
A member with a spouse (12 or older) and a child under 12 is three people, so the percentage is 125% (100% for the first two plus 25% for the child). They stay in San Diego for 7 days starting November 2, 2026 and pay $215.00 a night including tax.
- Step 1: 125% of the locality lodging rate $208.00 is $260.00; 125% of the M&IE rate $86.00 is $107.50.
- Step 2: the lesser of $215.00 actual and the $260.00 ceiling is $215.00.
- Step 3: $215.00 + $107.50 = $322.50.
- Step 4: the lesser of $290 and $322.50 is $290.00 a day, so 7 days come to $2,030.00.
The numbers are computed from the same GSA per diem data the calculator uses. The JTR does not round along the way: "Use the actual amount, without rounding, when computing TLE allowances." (JTR 050105).
TLE percentages by who stays (JTR Table 5-17)
| People in the temporary lodging | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Service member or one dependent | 65% |
| Service member and one dependent, or two dependents only | 100% |
| Each additional dependent 12 years of age or older | +35% |
| Each additional dependent younger than 12 | +25% |
For several dependents, add them starting with the oldest. The JTR's own example: "A Service member with two dependents, one over 12 and one under 12 is 125 percent." The $290 daily maximum is applied after the percentages, so a larger family reaches it sooner. The locality rates come from GSA; see the per diem calculator.
Who is eligible for TLE (JTR Table 5-12)
A Service member on a PCS living in temporary lodging in the vicinity of the old or new PCS location, home of record, initial technical school or a designated place may be eligible. The lodging must be a temporary residence, not a permanent one. The list below is the JTR's wording.
Authorized
- Before leaving the old PDS or designated place, and upon arrival at the new PDS, designated place, or first PDS.
- Before leaving technical school or a Service member's home of record if the Service member is reporting to the first PDS.
- While house hunting after completing PCS travel to the new PDS in the CONUS.
- When the Service member's PCS order is canceled or revoked after occupying temporary lodging.
- After initial arrival at the PDS in the CONUS and while waiting to be assigned Government lodging.
- After initial arrival at the PDS in the CONUS and while finalizing plans for other permanent housing when Government quarters are not available.
- For a new dependent who was added to the family before the effective date of the next PCS assignment. TLE can also be authorized in the vicinity of the place where the person became a dependent.
- For a move to the Service member's first PDS upon entering active-duty service.
Not authorized
- When leaving active duty.
- For a house-hunting trip before the Service member moves to the new PDS.
- For any individual that became a dependent after the PCS order's effective date.
- For any dependent who returned from OCONUS before issuance of a PCS order.
- For any dependent relocating for personal safety.
- When ordered to an ITDY location.
- For a Service member in the Selected Reserve authorized limited PCS allowances between his or her primary residence and duty location.
- At any location OCONUS.
TLE is for days when PCS travel per diem is not paid; you cannot receive both on the same day. The statute behind the extension authority is 37 U.S.C. 452(b)(11), "Unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstances."
Days: 21, 7 or up to 60
- 21 days when reporting to a PDS in the CONUS (at the prior or new PDS or a designated place), or to the first PDS in the CONUS from a home of record or initial technical school.
- 7 days when moving to a PDS OCONUS, used at CONUS locations such as the prior PDS, home of record, initial technical school or a designated place.
- Up to 60 days for a new CONUS PDS in a location jointly approved by the Secretaries concerned (a disaster area, a sudden increase in members assigned, or a housing shortage), or when household goods cannot finish shipping through no fault of the member. DTMO publishes the locations with approved TLE extensions. The authority cites 37 U.S.C. 452(b)(11).
Extended TLE is authorized in 10-day increments by a local official, only for the days needed to prevent undue financial hardship, and you must keep looking for permanent housing and report it in writing every 10 days or less. From day 22, the lodging part of TLE "is reduced by the daily non-locality BAH Transit rate" (JTR 050604-B1). This calculator does not have that BAH Transit rate, so for an extension location it shows days 1 to 21 and tells you how many extended days it left out. The JTR also says, "During a TLE extension a Service member with no dependents may receive 100% of the daily lodging rate." (JTR 050604-B2a); this tool does not apply that rule for days 1 to 21 or 22 to 60, so confirm it with your finance office.
If you have days left from the old PDS in the CONUS, they are deducted from the maximum at a new PDS with increased days (JTR Table 5-15).
The "TLE form" question
People often search for a "temporary lodging expense form." JTR section 0506 and the DTMO TLE FAQ do not name a specific form, so follow your service's finance office instructions for how and where to file. What the sources do say is that you need itemized lodging receipts, a non-availability confirmation number if you used commercial lodging because government quarters were not available, and, if you are married to another Service member, a certification from each of you that the lodging was occupied for the days claimed.
Temporary lodging expense questions
What is temporary lodging expense (TLE)?
Temporary Lodging Expense is an allowance that partially reimburses a Service member for lodging and meal expenses while the member or a dependent stays in temporary lodging in the CONUS during a PCS. It may not cover all lodging and meal costs. The rules are in Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) section 0506.
How many days of TLE can I get?
21 days when you report to a PDS in the CONUS, and 7 days when you move to a PDS OCONUS (the days are used at CONUS locations such as your prior PDS or a designated place). In locations the Secretaries have approved for an extension, TLE can be increased up to 60 days. The days can be split between authorized locations, and the member chooses which days to claim.
How is TLE calculated?
DTMO gives four steps. First, multiply the Table 5-17 percentage by the locality lodging rate and the locality M&IE rate. Second, take the lesser of your actual daily lodging cost, including tax, and the lodging ceiling from step one. Third, add the step-one M&IE to the step-two lodging. Fourth, TLE for the day is the lesser of $290 and the step-three amount. The calculator above does this for each day.
Is there a TLE form?
JTR section 0506 and the DTMO TLE FAQ do not name a specific form, so follow your service's finance office instructions for how to file. What those sources do require: itemized lodging receipts (DTMO cites JTR 010301 for receipt requirements), and, for members married to each other, a certification from each member that the lodging was occupied for the number of days claimed. For extended TLE you also register with an installation official and report your housing search in writing every 10 days or less.
Is TLE different for Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines?
Not in the JTR text this page uses. Section 0506 is written for "Service members", with one percentage table, one daily maximum of $290 and the same day limits. Your branch's finance or transportation office processes the claim and may have its own local steps, so ask it how to file.
How much TLE can I get per day?
A percentage of the locality per diem: 65% for one person, 100% for two, plus 35% for each additional dependent 12 or older and 25% for each additional dependent under 12. TLE for a Service member and dependents is capped at $290 per day. Two Service members married to each other each get their own TLE, each up to $290 a day.
Can I get TLE while staying with friends or relatives?
Only the meals part. The JTR says: "no lodging reimbursement is authorized. The meals portion of TLE is payable." This calculator drops the lodging step and pays the percentage of M&IE.
Can I get TLE and per diem on the same day?
No. DTMO says a Service member may not receive both TLE and per diem for PCS travel time on the same day. TLE can be paid for any day that PCS travel per diem is not paid, within the day limit.
Do I have to use government quarters?
Government quarters must be used if available before commercial lodging. If you choose other lodging when quarters are available, reimbursement is limited to the government quarters cost or the locality lodging rate, whichever is lower (Table 5-16). This estimate treats the government quarters cost and the full locality lodging rate as extra limits on Step 2; your finance office decides. If quarters are not available you need a non-availability confirmation number from your service's lodging reservation process. Table 5-16 also covers family-type quarters under renovation and household goods that have not shipped or arrived.
Is TLE paid when I leave active duty?
No. JTR Table 5-12 lists "When leaving active duty." as not authorized. TLE is authorized for a move to the first PDS upon entering active-duty service.
Can I get an advance?
An advance may be paid for the average number of days TLE is paid for a PCS to that PDS. If the new PDS is in the CONUS the advance is limited to the maximum amount for 21 days; if it is OCONUS, 7 days.
Why does this tool stop at day 21 in an extension location?
In a location with an approved TLE extension, the lodging part of TLE for each extended day "is reduced by the daily non-locality BAH Transit rate" (JTR 050604-B1), and it can fall to $0 on days 22 to 60. That BAH rate is not in this site's data, so the calculator shows days 1 to 21 and says how many days it left out.
Related military pay tools
- GSA per diem calculator: the lodging and M&IE rates TLE is built on.
- Dislocation allowance (DLA): the flat PCS payment toward household moving costs.
- PCS weight allowance: how much household goods weight your grade can ship.
- BAH calculator: the housing allowance you receive after the move.
- Military pay calculator: your monthly pay and allowances in one place.
- How to read your military LES: where entitlements show up on your statement.
- 2026 military pay chart: basic pay by grade and years of service.
Sources: Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), section 0506 · DTMO: Temporary Lodging Expenses FAQ · Locations with Approved TLE Extensions (DTMO) · 37 U.S.C. 452 · GSA per diem rates
Rules from JTR section 0506 (edition 10/01/2026) and the DTMO TLE FAQ, retrieved 2026-10-26. Locality rates are GSA CONUS per diem rates (FY2026 and FY2027).