Parking Cost Calculator
Hourly, daily or monthly — which parking option wins.
Enter your values
Enter the hours parked per day in h.
Enter the hourly rate in $.
Enter the daily maximum in $.
Enter the days per month you are working with.
Enter the monthly permit price in $.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Cheapest option
- Monthly permit
- Pay-as-you-go monthly cost
- $462.00
- Monthly permit cost
- $260.00
- Monthly saving
- $202.00
- Effective cost per day
- $12.38
- Annual cost
- $3,120.00
- Break-even days per month
- 11.8
Quick answer
Compare parking options by cost per month at your actual usage: hourly rate × hours, capped at the daily rate, versus a flat monthly permit.
Monthly cost = min(hours × hourly, daily rate) × days
At a glance
| What it does | Hourly, daily or monthly — which parking option wins. |
|---|---|
| Category | Auto |
| Inputs needed | Hours parked per day, Hourly rate, Daily maximum, Days per month, Monthly permit price |
| Main output | Cheapest option |
| Formula | Monthly cost = min(hours × hourly, daily rate) × days |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Parking Cost Calculator
- 1Enter how long you park on a typical day.
- 2Enter the hourly rate and any daily cap.
- 3Add the monthly permit price to compare.
Inputs explained
- Hours parked per day(h)
- Enter the hours parked per day in h.
- Hourly rate($)
- Enter the hourly rate in $.
- Daily maximum($)
- Enter the daily maximum in $.
- Days per month
- Enter the days per month you are working with.
- Monthly permit price($)
- Enter the monthly permit price in $.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Hours parked per day9 h
- Hourly rate3.50 $
- Daily maximum22 $
- Days per month21
- Monthly permit price260 $
Results
- Cheapest optionMonthly permit
- Pay-as-you-go monthly cost$462.00
- Monthly permit cost$260.00
- Monthly saving$202.00
- Effective cost per day$12.38
- Annual cost$3,120.00
- Break-even days per month11.8
Frequently asked questions
When is a monthly permit worth it?
Once you park more days than the break-even figure shown above — usually 12–15 days a month in city centre garages.
Should I include transit as an option?
Yes, compare the annual figure with a transit pass; parking plus fuel often costs two to three times a monthly pass.
What do I need to enter into the Parking Cost Calculator?
Just 5 values: hours parked per day, hourly rate, daily maximum, days per month, monthly permit price. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Parking Cost Calculator work out the answer?
Compare parking options by cost per month at your actual usage: hourly rate × hours, capped at the daily rate, versus a flat monthly permit. It applies the formula Monthly cost = min(hours × hourly, daily rate) × days and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Parking Cost Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.