Tip Calculator
Calculate tip and split the bill between any number of people.
Bill Details
Tip Percentage
Number of People
How to Use the Tip Calculator
- Enter your bill amount — the subtotal before any tip or service charge is added.
- Select a preset tip percentage (10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, or 25%) or type any custom percentage in the custom field.
- Use the + and − buttons to set how many people are splitting the bill. The calculator supports 1 to 20 people.
- Your tip amount, grand total, and per-person share update instantly — no need to tap a calculate button.
- Toggle “Round up per person” to round each share up to the nearest whole dollar, which makes settling in cash much simpler.
How Tip and Bill Splitting Are Calculated
The math behind gratuity is straightforward. Three formulas drive every result in this calculator:
Tip amount = Bill × (Tip % ÷ 100). Multiply the bill by the tip rate expressed as a decimal. A 20% tip on an $85.00 bill is 85 × 0.20 = $17.00.
Total bill = Bill + Tip amount. Add the original bill to the tip to get the grand total. $85.00 + $17.00 = $102.00.
Per-person share = Total ÷ Number of people. Divide the grand total evenly. $102.00 ÷ 4 people = $25.50 per person.
The “Round up per person” toggle applies a ceiling function — it rounds each share up to the next whole dollar rather than rounding to the nearest dollar. On $25.50, the rounded amount would be $26.00. This means the group collectively pays slightly more than the exact total, which typically works in the restaurant's favor and avoids awkward coin counting.
A Worked Example
Your dinner bill comes to $85.00 and you decide to leave a 20% tip. Here is the arithmetic step by step:
- Tip amount: $85.00 × (20 ÷ 100) = $85.00 × 0.20 = $17.00
- Grand total: $85.00 + $17.00 = $102.00
- Split 4 ways: $102.00 ÷ 4 = $25.50 per person
- Rounded up: ⌈$25.50⌉ = $26.00 per person
Curious what different percentages look like on that same $85.00 bill? The table below shows the tip amount and total for the four most common rates:
| Tip % | Tip Amount | Grand Total | Per Person (4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | $12.75 | $97.75 | $24.44 |
| 18% | $15.30 | $100.30 | $25.07 |
| 20% | $17.00 | $102.00 | $25.50 |
| 25% | $21.25 | $106.25 | $26.56 |
How Much Should You Tip?
In the United States, gratuity directly supplements workers' wages. Many tipped employees earn a lower base minimum wage set by state law, meaning tips can make up the majority of their take-home pay. Norms vary by service type:
| Service | Typical Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% | 20–25% for exceptional service |
| Buffet | 10% | Server still clears plates and refills drinks |
| Bartender | $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of tab | Whichever is higher for complex cocktails |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | Tip the driver, not the app service fee |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | 10–20% | Higher for late night, long trips, or heavy luggage |
| Barber / hair salon | 15–20% | Tip stylist directly, even at upscale salons |
Pre-tax vs. post-tax tipping: Etiquette guides generally suggest tipping on the pre-tax subtotal because the service rendered does not vary with the local tax rate. In practice the difference is small — on an $85 bill with 8% sales tax, tipping 20% on the pre-tax amount is $17.00 versus $18.36 on the post-tax total. Either is considered acceptable.
Automatic gratuity and service charges: Many restaurants add a mandatory 18–20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more, or for banquets. Always check your bill before leaving an additional tip — adding 20% on top of an existing 20% gratuity would be unusually generous. If the menu says “a service charge of 20% will be added,” that amount legally belongs to the restaurant and may or may not be distributed to servers. When in doubt, ask your server whether the charge goes directly to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is technically the more correct convention, since your server's effort does not scale with your local sales tax rate. However, tipping on the post-tax total is equally common and the difference is rarely more than a dollar or two. Do whatever math is easiest in the moment.
What if a service charge or gratuity is already on the bill?
Do not add another tip on top of a mandatory service charge — you would be double-tipping. Check whether the charge flows to the service staff or stays with the restaurant. If it goes to the house and you received excellent table service, a small additional cash tip directly to your server is always appreciated but never required.
How do I split the bill unevenly when people ordered different things?
This calculator splits the total evenly, which works well for groups ordering similar amounts. For uneven splits, first use the calculator to find the full total with tip included, then divide it proportionally. For example, if Person A's food was $40 and Person B's was $60 on a $100 pre-tip bill, Person A owes 40% of the total and Person B owes 60%. Apps like Splitwise can automate this if you track each item.
Is tipping expected on takeout or counter service orders?
Tipping on takeout is optional. No table service is involved, so the social expectation is lower. That said, tipping $1–2 or 10% on a takeout order is a kind gesture, especially at smaller local restaurants where the person who packed your food also works the counter and kitchen. For full counter-service coffee or fast-casual meals, a small tip is appreciated but not expected.
How much should I tip for bad service?
Consider whether the problem was within the server's control. Slow food usually means a busy kitchen — not the server's fault. If your server was inattentive, rude, or consistently forgot requests despite an uncrowded restaurant, 10–15% is a reasonable signal. Leaving nothing can look like you forgot, so if you want the feedback heard, speaking directly with a manager is more effective than a zero tip.
Should I tip on the full price when using a coupon or discount?
Yes — tipping on the original menu price is considered proper etiquette. Your server delivered the same experience regardless of the deal you found online. Tipping only on the discounted amount significantly reduces what the server earns for identical work.
What does “round up per person” actually do?
The round-up toggle applies a ceiling function to each person's share — it always rounds to the next whole dollar, never down. If the exact share is $25.50, you pay $26.00. If it is $25.01, you also pay $26.00. The result is that each person pays a clean dollar amount, which is handy when splitting cash. The restaurant ends up with slightly more than the calculated total, which is a nice bonus for your server.
Disclaimer: Tip amounts shown are for informational purposes only. Tipping customs vary by country, region, and establishment. This calculator does not constitute financial or etiquette advice.