Lifestyle · Tipping
Tip Calculator
Work out the tip and split the bill in seconds. Enter your bill, pick a tip percentage, and choose how many people are sharing — free and no sign-up.
How the tip calculator works
The math behind a tip is simple — this tool just does it instantly and splits the result evenly:
- Tip amount = bill × tip% ÷ 100
- Grand total = bill + tip amount
- Total per person = grand total ÷ number of people
- Tip per person = tip amount ÷ number of people
For example, a $50 bill with an 18% tip means a $9.00 tip and a $59.00 grand total. Split between 2 people, that's $29.50 each, with $4.50 of that being the tip.
US tipping guide
| Situation | Customary tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant — standard service | 15–18% |
| Restaurant — good service | 20% |
| Restaurant — exceptional service | 25% |
| Food delivery | 10–20% |
| Bartender | $1–$2/drink or 15–20% |
| Takeout | 0–10% |
Things to keep in mind
Pre-tax vs post-tax
Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is technically the standard, but plenty of people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity. This calculator applies your tip percentage to whatever bill figure you enter, so use the amount you prefer to tip on.
Tipping culture varies
In the US, tipping is expected and forms a large part of service workers' income. In much of Europe, service is often included and a smaller tip (or rounding up) is the norm. Always check whether a service charge has already been added to your bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant in the US?
15–20% of the pre-tax bill is standard for sit-down service. 18% for average service, 20%+ for good service, and 25% for exceptional service.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Pre-tax is technically standard, but many people tip on the total for simplicity. Enter whichever figure you prefer to tip on.
How does the bill split work?
Enter the number of people and the calculator divides the grand total (bill + tip) evenly, showing the total and tip share each person owes.
Do I need to tip for takeout or delivery?
Takeout tipping is optional and lower (0–10%). For delivery, 10–20% or a few-dollar minimum is customary. Bars expect about $1–$2 per drink or 15–20%.
How is the tip amount calculated?
Tip = bill × tip% ÷ 100. The grand total is bill + tip, and per person is the grand total ÷ number of people.
Tipping in the United States: a practical guide
Tipping in the US is more than a courtesy — for many service workers it is a core part of their income. Federal law allows a "tipped minimum wage" lower than the standard minimum for employees who regularly receive tips, with the expectation that gratuities make up the difference. That is why leaving a tip in restaurants, bars, and many personal-service businesses is treated as expected rather than optional. Knowing the customary range for each situation helps you tip fairly without overthinking it, and the calculator above does the math the moment you tap a percentage.
How much to tip by situation
The right amount depends on the setting and the quality of service. The table below summarizes the customary US ranges so you can pick a percentage with confidence. These are widely accepted norms, not rules — adjust up for great service or down for poor service.
| Situation | Customary tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 15–20% | 20%+ for great service; 15% is the lower end |
| Bar / bartender | $1–$2 per drink | Or 15–20% of the tab for a larger order |
| Food delivery | 10–20% | $3–$5 minimum, more for bad weather or distance |
| Taxi / rideshare | 10–15% | Round up for short trips |
| Hair salon / barber | 15–20% | Tip each person who served you |
| Coffee shop counter | 0–15% | Optional; a little extra for custom drinks |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–$5 per night | Left daily, not just at checkout |
| Takeout | 0–10% | Optional; rounding up is common |
Pre-tax vs. post-tax: which to tip on
One of the most common questions is whether to calculate the tip on the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total. Technically, the standard is to tip on the pre-tax amount, since sales tax is a government charge, not a reflection of the service you received. In practice, many people simply tip on the total because it is faster and the difference is small. On a $60 meal with 8% sales tax, tipping 20% on the pre-tax $60 gives $12.00, while tipping on the $64.80 total gives $12.96 — a difference of less than a dollar. This calculator applies your chosen percentage to whatever figure you type in, so enter your pre-tax subtotal if you want the technically correct amount, or the total if you prefer simplicity.
| Bill amount | 15% tip | 18% tip | 20% tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25.00 | $3.75 | $4.50 | $5.00 |
| $50.00 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 |
| $80.00 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 |
| $120.00 | $18.00 | $21.60 | $24.00 |
| $200.00 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 |
Splitting the bill fairly in a group
When you are dining with a group, splitting the bill evenly is the simplest approach: add the tip to the total, then divide by the number of people. The calculator does this automatically and even shows each person's share of the tip. For a $150 dinner with a 20% tip ($30), the grand total is $180; split four ways, that is $45.00 per person, of which $7.50 is the tip. If your group prefers to split by what each person ordered, calculate the tip on the full bill first, then divide that tip proportionally — but for most casual outings, an even split keeps things friction-free.
Be aware of automatic gratuity, sometimes called an auto-grat. Many restaurants add a mandatory service charge — often 18% to 20% — for large parties (typically six or more guests). If you see "gratuity," "service charge," or "service included" on the check, the tip may already be added, and tipping again on top would mean paying twice. Always scan the itemized bill before adding a tip.
Tipping outside the United States
Tipping culture is far from universal. In much of Europe, a service charge is frequently included in the bill, and rounding up or leaving a small amount (5–10%) is plenty. In Japan, tipping is generally not practiced and can even cause confusion. In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is appreciated for excellent service but not expected. Because the calculator simply applies a percentage to the amount you enter, you can use it anywhere — just adjust the percentage to local custom rather than defaulting to the US 15–20%. When traveling, a quick check of local norms saves you from over- or under-tipping.
Common tipping misconceptions
- "A service charge is the same as a tip." Not always. A service charge is set by the business and may or may not go to the staff; a tip is your discretionary gift. If a service charge is added, additional tipping is optional.
- "I should tip on the tax." The standard is to tip on the pre-tax amount, though tipping on the total is common and the difference is small.
- "Tipping is optional everywhere." In the US, gratuities are an expected part of many workers' pay. Outside the US, customs vary widely.
- "Bigger groups don't need a bigger tip percentage." The percentage stays the same, but many venues add an automatic gratuity for large parties, so check the bill.
Smart ways to use this calculator
Tap one of the preset buttons (15%, 18%, 20%, 25%) for a quick standard tip, or type a custom percentage for anything in between. Enter the number of people to instantly see the per-person total and each person's share of the tip — handy for settling up at the table. Use your pre-tax subtotal as the bill amount for the technically correct tip, and always glance at the check first for an included service charge so you do not tip twice. The result is an estimate to guide a fair gratuity; the final amount is always your call.
More frequently asked questions
Is it rude to tip less than 15% in the US?
Because tips are a major part of service workers' income in the US, tipping well below 15% at a sit-down restaurant is generally seen as a signal of poor service. If service was genuinely bad, it is more constructive to speak with a manager. For average or good service, 18–20% is the comfortable norm.
What is automatic gratuity?
Automatic gratuity (or "auto-grat") is a service charge — typically 18–20% — that a restaurant adds to the bill for large parties, usually six or more guests. If it appears on your check, the tip is already included, so you do not need to add more unless you want to reward exceptional service.
Do I tip on alcohol the same as food?
At restaurants, most people tip the same percentage across the whole bill, including drinks. At a bar, the custom is often $1–$2 per drink instead of a percentage, or 15–20% of the full tab if you run one.
How do I split a tip unevenly?
This calculator splits the grand total evenly. To split by what each person ordered, calculate the total tip on the full bill first, then assign each person their menu items plus the same tip percentage on their portion. For casual meals, an even split is usually faster and fairer.
Should I tip in cash or on the card?
Either works. Some servers prefer cash because they receive it immediately, but card tips are tracked and reported just the same. The amount matters more than the method — use whichever is convenient.
Do counter service and self-serve spots expect a tip?
Tipping at a counter, coffee shop, or self-serve kiosk is optional. Many tablets now prompt for 15–25%, but there is no obligation. A small tip for a custom or labor-intensive order is a kind gesture, not a requirement.