The Uber Lyft earnings calculator deducts platform fees, vehicle costs, and taxes from your gross rideshare earnings to reveal the true hourly rate you keep — not the rate the apps advertise.
Rideshare Earnings
Total fares before the platform takes its cut
Uber/Lyft typically take 25-30%
Include time with app on (waiting + driving)
With-passenger + dead miles between rides
Expenses & Taxes
SE tax (15.3%) + income tax. Use 0 to skip.
Enter your rideshare earnings to see true take-home pay.
True Hourly Rate (after all deductions)
Weekly Earnings Waterfall
How to Calculate True Uber and Lyft Earnings
The Uber Lyft earnings calculator reveals what rideshare drivers actually keep after platform fees, vehicle costs, and taxes — because the number on your app dashboard is not what you deposit.
The Three Layers of Deduction
Platform commissions (25-30%) come first. Then vehicle expenses — at $0.70/mile for 200 miles/week, that is $140/week. Then self-employment taxes at 15.3% of net profit. A driver showing $600 gross in the app might keep only $280 after all three deductions — less than $15/hour for 20 hours of work including wait time.
Track Every Mile
The most important habit for rideshare drivers is tracking all business miles — including driving to a pickup location, dead miles between rides, and returning home if you started your shift elsewhere. Apps like Stride or MileIQ auto-track miles when driving. Untracked miles cost you real tax deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Uber Lyft earnings calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run in your browser.
How much do Uber and Lyft drivers actually make?
After accounting for platform fees (25-30%), vehicle expenses, and self-employment taxes, most rideshare drivers net $10-18/hour. In high-demand markets (NYC, LA, Chicago) during peak hours, experienced drivers can net $20-25/hour. Most new drivers are disappointed when they see true net earnings.
What percentage does Uber take from drivers?
Uber typically takes 25-30% of each fare. The exact percentage varies by market, ride type, and whether you have an Uber Pro discount. Lyft has similar commission rates. For every $20 fare, expect $14-15 to go to you before expenses.
How do rideshare drivers reduce taxes?
The biggest deduction is the IRS standard mileage rate ($0.70/mile for 2026) for ALL miles driven while the app is on — including dead miles between rides. Also deductible: phone and data plan (if used for driving), car washes, dashcam, rideshare insurance premium, and 50% of self-employment tax.
Is rideshare driving worth it?
It depends on your market, vehicle, and opportunity cost. Driving during peak hours (Friday/Saturday nights, rush hours, events) can yield $20+/hour net. Driving off-peak in low-demand areas may yield under $10/hour. Many drivers use rideshare as supplemental income during peak times only, avoiding the economics of full-time driving.