Tip Calculator
Enter your bill total, choose a tip percentage, and split by the number of people. Get the tip amount, total bill, and exactly how much each person owes.
How It Works
Tipping customs vary by country and context, but the math is always the same. This calculator handles the three connected questions: how much is the tip, what is the full total, and how is it divided?
Core formulas:
Tip amount = Bill amount × (Tip % / 100)
Total bill = Bill amount + Tip amount
Per person = Total bill / Number of people
Standard US tipping guidelines in 2024–2025:
- 10%: Minimum for adequate service; also typical for food delivery
- 15%: Standard for average service
- 18%: Good service benchmark (also used as automatic gratuity for large groups)
- 20%: Excellent service standard — widely considered the default for table service
- 25%: Exceptional service or a way to express strong appreciation
Worked example: Dinner for four with a $128 bill and 20% tip.
Tip amount = $128 × 0.20 = $25.60
Total bill = $128 + $25.60 = $153.60
Per person = $153.60 / 4 = $38.40
Splitting the bill fairly when people ordered different amounts: This calculator gives a simple even split. For an uneven split, calculate each person's share of the bill before adding the tip proportionally, then sum. Most payment apps now handle this directly.
A common question: should you tip on pre-tax or post-tax bill? Conventionally, you tip on the pre-tax amount. However, in practice the difference is small — on a $100 meal with 10% tax, the tip on the post-tax amount ($110) at 20% is $22 vs $20 pre-tax. Either is acceptable.
What about situations where tipping is customary but not for table service? Hotel porters: $1–2 per bag. Housekeeping: $3–5/night. Taxi/rideshare: 15–20%. Baristas at coffee shops: 10–15% is appreciated but optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Tipping on the pre-tax amount is traditional, but tipping on the post-tax total is increasingly common and makes virtually no practical difference. On a $80 dinner with 9% tax ($7.20), the difference between 20% tip on pre- vs post-tax is $1.44. Tip on whichever feels more natural to you.
What is an automatic gratuity?
Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity (typically 18–20%) for large parties, usually 6 or more guests. This appears as a line item on the bill. In the US, unlike voluntary tips, mandatory gratuities must be treated as wages and are subject to payroll taxes. Check your bill before adding an additional tip.
How do I split a bill unevenly?
If everyone is paying for what they ordered, calculate each person's share first, then apply the same tip percentage to each share. For example, Person A had $30 of food; their share including 20% tip is $36. Person B had $45; their share is $54. The calculator here gives a simple even split.
Is it rude not to tip?
In the US, tipping for sit-down restaurant service is a strong social norm and servers depend on it — the federal tipped minimum wage is $2.13/hour. In other countries like Japan, tipping is rare or considered rude. Context and local norms should guide you.