Tip Calculator
Calculate the tip, split the bill, and see what each person owes — in seconds.
Split the bill
bill * 1.1.Type a number or a formula, like 18 or 36 / 2.
How to Use the Tip Calculator
Enter the bill amount, pick a tip percentage (or set your own with "Custom tip..."), and say how many people are splitting. The calculator instantly shows the tip, the total, and what each person owes — no more awkward phone-math at the table.
Every input accepts formulas and your saved numbers. Save your usual tip_percent once in "My saved numbers" below, and you'll never retype it again.
Standard Tipping Rates in the US
Tipping norms have crept upward over the years. Here's what's standard today:
| Service | Typical tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% | 15% for adequate, 20%+ for great |
| Bar (per drink) | $1–2 | or 20% of the tab |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | minimum $3–5, more in bad weather |
| Coffee shop / counter | $1–2 | optional but appreciated |
| Haircut / salon | 18–20% | of the pre-discount price |
| Rideshare | 15–20% | in the app after the ride |
| Hotel housekeeping | $3–5/night | left daily, not at checkout |
Quick mental math for 20%: move the decimal one place left (10%), then double it. On $85: 10% is $8.50, doubled is $17.00. For 15%, take the 10% number and add half ($8.50 + $4.25 = $12.75).
Splitting the Bill Explained
There are two fair ways to split, and the calculator handles the simplest — even split: total (including tip) divided by headcount. Everyone pays the same.
The alternative is itemized split: each person pays for what they ordered plus their share of tip and tax. It's fairer when one person had a salad and another had steak and cocktails — but it requires the receipt math nobody wants to do. A practical middle ground: split evenly, and let anyone who clearly spent much more (or much less) volunteer an adjustment before the total is divided.
One etiquette note: the tip should be calculated on the pre-tax subtotal in most US states, since tax isn't service. In practice, most people tip on the total and servers certainly don't mind — the difference on an $85 bill at 8% tax is about $1.36. Don't let it start a debate.
Worked Example: $85 Bill Among 4
Step 1 — The tip
$85 × 20% = $85 × 0.20 = $17.00.
Step 2 — Total
$85 + $17 = $102.00.
Step 3 — Per person
$102 ÷ 4 = $25.50 each (including $4.25 of tip per person).
Venmo-ready: $25.50 × 4 = $102.00 exactly. No rounding drama.
Do You Tip on the Tax Amount?
The technically-correct answer is no: standard etiquette says tip on the pre-tax subtotal, because sales tax isn't part of the service. The practical answer: it barely matters. On an $85 bill with 8% tax ($6.80), tipping 20% on the total instead of the subtotal adds $1.36 to the tip. Servers won't notice the difference, and neither will your wallet.
Where it does matter is large bills. On a $500 corporate dinner with $40 in tax, the gap is $8 — still small, but worth knowing. If you want to be precise, most receipts print the subtotal clearly; base your percentage on that line. If you want to be generous without thinking, tip on the total. Both are socially fine — nobody has ever been judged for tipping slightly too much.
Tipping on Takeout and Delivery Apps
The tablet has complicated tipping. A few ground rules for the modern gray areas:
- Counter takeout (you pick up): tipping is optional. The staff bagged your food, but there's no table service. $1–2 or 10% is a nice gesture, not an obligation — despite what the payment screen implies.
- Delivery apps: 15–20% with a $3–5 minimum. Remember the driver sees your tip before accepting the order on most apps — low tips mean slow or cold food, because drivers skip them.
- Those tip screens: "20% / 25% / 30%" defaults at coffee shops and food trucks are suggestions from a business, not social law. Tip what the service earned. A custom option exists on nearly every screen — use it without guilt.
- Bad weather or difficult delivery: add a few dollars. Your driver is out in it; the algorithm won't compensate them for the rain.
Tipping Etiquette: US vs Europe
Tipping is practically mandatory in the US — many servers earn below minimum wage before tips, and 18–20% is genuinely part of their pay. Elsewhere, the rules flip:
- Most of Europe: service is included or staff earn full wages. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for great service is generous; 20% will get you a surprised look.
- UK: check for a "discretionary service charge" (often 12.5%) already on the bill — you can ask to remove it, but don't tip on top of it.
- Japan & South Korea: tipping can offend. Excellent service is the standard, not the exception.
- Middle East: 10–15% is common in tourist areas; locals often round up.
When traveling, a 30-second search for "[country] tipping etiquette" saves you from both undertipping and overpaying. This calculator works in any currency — just ignore the $ sign.
My saved numbers reuse them in any calculator
Save a number once — like your rent or hourly rate — then just type its name instead of the number, in any calculator here. You can also type formulas like 5000 * 1.1 right into any box.
Saved only in this browser — nothing is sent to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
In the US, 18–20% is standard for sit-down restaurants: 15% for adequate service, 20% for great service, more for exceptional. For bars, tip $1–2 per drink; for food delivery, 15–20% with a $3–5 minimum.
How do you calculate a 20% tip?
Move the decimal one place left to get 10%, then double it. On an $85 bill: 10% is $8.50, doubled is $17.00. Or just multiply the bill by 0.20.
How do I split a bill evenly?
Add the tip to the bill, then divide by the number of people. An $85 bill with a 20% tip ($17) totals $102; split 4 ways, each person pays $25.50.
Do you tip on the tax amount?
Standard etiquette says to tip on the pre-tax subtotal, since tax is not part of the service. In practice the difference is tiny — about $1.36 on an $85 bill — so tipping on the total is also perfectly fine.
Is tipping expected in Europe?
Generally no. Service is usually included or staff earn full wages, so rounding up or leaving 5–10% for great service is generous. In Japan and South Korea, tipping can even offend — excellent service is simply the standard.