Pro Rata Calculation Formula Excel Calculator
Pro Rata Calculated Result
Understanding the Pro Rata Calculation Formula
Pro rata is a Latin term meaning "in proportion." In finance and accounting, it refers to the process where a value is assigned to a specific period or quantity relative to the whole. This is most commonly used for calculating rent for partial months, salaries for employees starting mid-month, or insurance premiums.
The Basic Pro Rata Formula
The math behind pro rata is straightforward division and multiplication:
How to Use the Pro Rata Formula in Excel
Excel makes it incredibly easy to automate these calculations. If you have the following data:
- Cell A2: Monthly Rent ($2,000)
- Cell B2: Total Days in Month (31)
- Cell C2: Days Occupied (10)
Your Excel formula would be: =(A2/B2)*C2. This calculates the "Daily Rate" first and then multiplies it by the number of days relevant to your transaction.
Common Use Cases
| Scenario | Total Units | Actual Units |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-month Apartment Move-in | Days in the month (28-31) | Days remaining in month |
| Employee Bonus Calculation | 12 Months | Months worked in year |
| Dividend Payments | Total Shares Outstanding | Shares owned by individual |
Step-by-Step Example
Imagine you are renting an office space for $3,000 per month. You decide to move out on the 15th day of a 30-day month. To find your pro-rata rent:
- Divide the total rent ($3,000) by the total days (30) to get a daily rate of $100.
- Multiply the daily rate ($100) by the days used (15).
- Your total pro-rata rent is $1,500.