An Airbnb income calculator estimates what a short-term rental brings in from nightly rates and cleaning fees, and what is left after expenses. Formula: Revenue = nightly rate × days × occupancy + cleaning fee × stays; profit = revenue − expenses. At $150 a night, 65% occupancy over 30 days and four stays with an $80 cleaning fee, revenue is $3,245 and profit is $2,645 after $600 of expenses.
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How to use the Airbnb income calculator
- Enter your average nightly rate.
- Enter expected occupancy as a percent.
- Enter the days in the period: 30 for a month, 365 for a year.
- Enter the cleaning fee per stay and the number of stays.
- Enter all other expenses for the period, including platform fees, cleaning labor, supplies, utilities and the mortgage if you want cash flow.
The Airbnb income calculator shows occupied nights, revenue and profit.
What formula does the Airbnb income calculator use?
Occupied nights = days × occupancy. Revenue = nightly rate × occupied nights + cleaning fee × stays. Profit = revenue − expenses. Taxes collected for local lodging taxes should be left out of both sides.
Airbnb income calculator worked example
Results from the Airbnb income calculator:
| Period | Rate and occupancy | Stays and cleaning | Expenses | Nights | Revenue | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | $150, 65% | 4 at $80 | $600 | 19.5 | $3,245 | $2,645 |
| 365 days | $200, 50% | 45 at $100 | $14,000 | 182.5 | $41,000 | $27,000 |
The yearly example shows how much cleaning fees add: $4,500 of the $41,000 revenue.
IRS rules for short-term rentals
IRS Publication 527 says you use a dwelling as a home if your personal use is more than the greater of 14 days or 10% of the days it is rented at a fair price. If you use it as a home, your rental deductions can be limited. If you rent your home for fewer than 15 days in the year, you do not report that rent as income, and you cannot deduct expenses for it. Use the Airbnb income calculator for cash results and talk with a tax professional about how the rules apply to you.
Setting a realistic occupancy
Occupancy is the input most people get wrong. It changes by season, by day of the week and with local rules. Look at your own booking history if you have it, then run the Airbnb income calculator at a low, middle and high occupancy so you know the range.
Expenses to include
Short-term rentals cost more to run than long-term leases. Typical items are host service fees, cleaning labor and laundry, supplies such as toiletries and coffee, utilities and internet, furniture wear and replacement, repairs, insurance that covers short-term guests, property tax, permit fees, and management if you hire a co-host. If you want cash flow, add the mortgage payment as well. Enter the total for the same period you chose in the days field, so a monthly run uses monthly costs and a yearly run uses yearly costs.
Under IRS rules you report rental income and expenses on Schedule E unless you provide substantial services, which can change the form you use, so keep good records from the start.
Common mistakes to avoid
Common mistakes: assuming peak-season occupancy all year, forgetting that cleaning fees often only cover the cost of cleaning, and leaving out the time it takes to answer guests and manage turnovers. Run a slow month and a busy month separately and average them, and check local rules on permits and taxes before you list.
Local rules and permits
Many cities require short-term rental permits, cap the nights you can rent, or charge lodging taxes. Check your city or county rules and your HOA before you count on the income. Compare the result with a long-term lease in our rent calculator.
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Check current rules with the tax authority or a qualified adviser.
Related converters and calculators
Related calculators:
- Rental property calculator: long-term rental
- Rent vs sell calculator: keep or sell
- Rent calculator: long-term lease
Sources
IRS Publication 527: Residential rental property; IRS Topic 415: Renting residential and vacation property.
Questions about this calculator
How do I estimate Airbnb income?
Multiply the nightly rate by occupied nights, add cleaning fees, and subtract expenses.
What is the 14-day rule?
If you rent a home for fewer than 15 days in a year, you do not report the rent as income, and you cannot deduct the rental expenses.
When is a rental treated as my home?
When personal use is more than the greater of 14 days or 10% of the days rented at a fair price.
Should platform fees be included?
Yes, add host service fees to the expenses for the period.
What occupancy should I use?
Use your own booking history if possible and test a range of rates.
Check the assumptions and units before relying on a result. Financial, tax and health estimates do not replace advice for your individual circumstances.
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