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Tip Calculator — Free Online Tip & Bill Splitter

Calculate the perfect tip amount for any bill, choose from common tip percentages or set a custom rate, and split the total evenly among your group.

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Tip Percentage
%

Tip Results

Tip Amount$9.00
Total Bill$59.00

Summary: On a $50.00 bill with a 18% tip, the total comes to $59.00.

How to Use the Tip Calculator

  1. Enter your bill amount: Type the pre-tax total of your restaurant bill, delivery order, or service charge into the Bill Amount field. You can enter any dollar amount, and the calculator will immediately start computing your tip.
  2. Select a tip percentage: Choose from popular preset percentages including 10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, and 25% by tapping the corresponding button. For a custom rate, type your preferred percentage into the Custom Tip field. The selected percentage highlights in blue so you always know which rate you are using.
  3. Set the number of people splitting the bill: If you are dining with others and want to split the total evenly, change the Number of People from 1 to however many diners are sharing. The calculator automatically divides both the total bill and the tip portion among all participants.
  4. Review and use your results: The results panel on the right instantly shows the calculated tip amount, the total bill including tip, and if splitting, the per-person share and tip per person. A summary sentence at the bottom confirms all the details for quick reference.

The tip calculator updates in real time as you change any input, so you can experiment with different percentages and group sizes to find the arrangement that works best. No need to press a calculate button — results appear instantly.

Tip Calculator Formula

Tip Amount = Bill Amount x (Tip Percentage / 100)
Total Bill = Bill Amount + Tip Amount
Per Person = Total Bill / Number of People

Variables Explained

  • Bill Amount: The total pre-tax cost of your meal, order, or service. This is the base figure on which the tip is calculated. Most etiquette guides recommend calculating tips on the pre-tax subtotal rather than the total after tax.
  • Tip Percentage: The rate at which you want to tip, expressed as a percentage. In the United States, 15% is the minimum for acceptable service, 18% is standard, and 20% or higher rewards exceptional service.
  • Number of People: The total count of individuals splitting the bill evenly. When set to 1, the entire bill and tip are attributed to a single payer. When greater than 1, both the food total and tip are divided equally.

Step-by-Step Example

Suppose you have a dinner bill of $85.00 and want to leave an 18% tip, split among 3 people:

  1. Calculate the tip: $85.00 x (18 / 100) = $85.00 x 0.18 = $15.30
  2. Calculate the total bill: $85.00 + $15.30 = $100.30
  3. Calculate per person share: $100.30 / 3 = $33.43
  4. Calculate tip per person: $15.30 / 3 = $5.10

Each of the three diners would pay approximately $33.43, which includes their portion of the food ($28.33) plus their share of the tip ($5.10).

Practical Examples

Example 1: Sarah's Lunch with Colleagues

Sarah goes out to lunch with three coworkers at a downtown bistro. The total bill before tax comes to $124.00. They all agree on a 20% tip for the attentive service. Using the tip calculator with a $124.00 bill amount, 20% tip, and 4 people:

  • Tip Amount: $124.00 x 0.20 = $24.80
  • Total Bill: $124.00 + $24.80 = $148.80
  • Per Person: $148.80 / 4 = $37.20
  • Tip Per Person: $24.80 / 4 = $6.20

Each colleague can simply Venmo Sarah $37.20, making the entire bill settlement quick and hassle-free. No more fumbling with mental math or arguing about who owes what.

Example 2: David's Pizza Delivery

David orders pizza delivery for his family. The order total is $42.50, and he wants to tip the delivery driver 18%, especially since it is a rainy evening. Entering $42.50 with an 18% tip for 1 person:

  • Tip Amount: $42.50 x 0.18 = $7.65
  • Total: $42.50 + $7.65 = $50.15

David rounds up to $50.50 to make it a clean amount and adds the tip in the delivery app. The driver appreciates the generosity during tough weather conditions, and David knows he has tipped appropriately for the service and circumstances.

Example 3: Maria's Fine Dining Anniversary

Maria and her partner celebrate their anniversary at an upscale restaurant. The bill comes to $285.00, and the service was outstanding with the sommelier providing excellent wine recommendations. They decide on a 25% tip for 2 people:

  • Tip Amount: $285.00 x 0.25 = $71.25
  • Total Bill: $285.00 + $71.25 = $356.25
  • Per Person: $356.25 / 2 = $178.13

Maria and her partner each contribute $178.13. The generous 25% tip reflects the exceptional level of service they received at the fine dining establishment, and the staff is genuinely grateful for the recognition of their dedication.

Example 4: Tom's Brunch with Friends

Tom organizes a weekend brunch with 5 friends at a popular breakfast spot. The total bill is $178.00 and they agree on 15% since the service was average. With 6 people splitting:

  • Tip Amount: $178.00 x 0.15 = $26.70
  • Total: $178.00 + $26.70 = $204.70
  • Per Person: $204.70 / 6 = $34.12

Everyone agrees to round up to $35 each, which results in a total of $210 and a slightly higher effective tip, making the whole payment process smooth and fair for everyone involved.

Tip Percentage Reference Table

Service Quality Tip % On $50 Bill On $100 Bill On $200 Bill
Poor Service 10% $5.00 $10.00 $20.00
Acceptable Service 15% $7.50 $15.00 $30.00
Good Service 18% $9.00 $18.00 $36.00
Great Service 20% $10.00 $20.00 $40.00
Excellent Service 25% $12.50 $25.00 $50.00
Exceptional / Fine Dining 30% $15.00 $30.00 $60.00

Tips and Complete Guide

Understanding Tipping Etiquette in America

Tipping is deeply embedded in American culture and serves as a crucial part of service workers' compensation. In most states, servers earn a base wage well below the standard minimum wage, with the expectation that tips will make up the difference. Understanding when, how much, and why to tip helps you navigate social situations confidently while supporting the people who serve you.

The general rule of thumb for sit-down restaurants is 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill. For buffet service, 10% is appropriate since you serve yourself. For counter service at cafes and fast-casual restaurants, tipping is appreciated but not mandatory — 10% to 15% is a generous gesture. Always consider the effort involved in the service when deciding your tip percentage.

Tipping for Different Services

Beyond restaurants, tipping extends to many service industries. For hair salons and barbers, 15% to 20% of the service cost is standard. Taxi and rideshare drivers typically receive 15% to 20%. Hotel housekeeping should receive $2 to $5 per night of your stay. Valets usually receive $2 to $5 when they return your vehicle. Movers typically receive $20 to $50 per person for a full-day job. Wedding vendors, including DJs, photographers, and caterers, often receive 15% to 20% of their service fee.

The Math Behind Bill Splitting

When dining with a group, the most straightforward approach is to split the total bill including tip evenly among all diners. While some people prefer to pay only for what they ordered, even splitting is faster and eliminates disputes. For groups with significantly different order amounts, consider using our percentage calculator to determine proportional shares based on each person's portion of the subtotal.

Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity of 18% to 20% for parties of six or more. Always check your bill before adding an additional tip to avoid double-tipping. The automatic gratuity line is usually listed separately from the voluntary tip line on the receipt.

Digital Tipping and Modern Payment Methods

With the rise of digital payment options, tipping has evolved. Many payment terminals now present tip options of 18%, 20%, and 25% by default — sometimes calculated on the post-tax total, which results in a higher dollar amount. Be aware of this when selecting a preset option. Payment apps like Venmo and Zelle make it easy to settle split bills after the fact, which is why having the exact per-person amount from our calculator is so valuable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to tip on takeout: Post-pandemic norms have shifted, and 10% to 15% for takeout is now standard etiquette. Takeout orders still require staff effort for packaging and order accuracy.
  • Double-tipping on automatic gratuities: Always check if a service charge or gratuity is already included, especially for large parties, hotel restaurants, or resort dining.
  • Calculating tip on the post-tax total: While not a serious error, you end up tipping slightly more than intended. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal for accuracy.
  • Penalizing servers for kitchen mistakes: If your food was prepared incorrectly but the server handled the situation well, your tip should reflect the service, not the kitchen's performance.
  • Not adjusting for group discounts or coupons: Tip on the original bill amount before discounts, not the discounted total. The server provided the same level of service regardless of your coupon.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the United States, the standard tip percentage ranges from 15% to 20% for sit-down restaurant service. A 15% tip is considered the minimum for adequate service, 18% is standard for good service, and 20% or more is appropriate for excellent service. For buffets, 10% is typically acceptable, while for delivery services, 15% to 20% is standard. Keep in mind that tipping customs vary by region and type of service. Our tip calculator makes it easy to determine the right amount based on your chosen percentage.

To calculate a tip, multiply the pre-tax bill amount by your desired tip percentage expressed as a decimal. For example, for an 18% tip on a $50 bill: $50 x 0.18 = $9.00 tip. The total bill would be $50 + $9 = $59. If splitting the bill among multiple people, divide the total by the number of diners. Our free tip calculator performs these calculations instantly, including bill splitting, so you never have to do mental math at the table.

Etiquette experts generally recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal of your bill. Sales tax is a government charge, not part of the service you received, so basing your tip on the pre-tax amount is standard practice. However, tipping on the post-tax total is also common and perfectly acceptable, especially since the difference is usually small. For a $100 meal with 8% tax, the difference between tipping 18% pre-tax ($18) versus post-tax ($19.44) is only about $1.44. When in doubt, being generous is always appreciated.

For takeout orders, tipping 10% to 15% is customary, though it was not always expected before 2020. For delivery orders, 15% to 20% of the order total is standard, with a minimum of $3 to $5 for small orders. During inclement weather or for large orders, consider tipping 20% or more. For food delivery app services, the same 15% to 20% guideline applies. Remember that delivery drivers often use their own vehicles and pay for gas, so a generous tip directly supports their livelihood.

Yes, you should include alcohol in the bill total when calculating your tip. For bar service specifically, a common guideline is $1 to $2 per drink for simple orders like beer or wine, and $2 to $3 for cocktails. If you are running a tab, tipping 18% to 20% of the total is standard. Bartenders rely heavily on tips as a significant portion of their income. If a bartender provides exceptional service or crafts custom cocktails, consider tipping above the standard percentage.

To split a tip evenly, first calculate the total bill including the tip, then divide by the number of people in your group. For example, with a $120 bill, an 18% tip ($21.60), and 4 people: ($120 + $21.60) / 4 = $35.40 per person. Our tip calculator handles this automatically when you set the number of people. For uneven splits where some people ordered more expensive items, you may want to calculate each person's share proportionally, but equal splitting is the most common and simplest approach for most dining occasions.

Even with poor service, most etiquette experts recommend leaving at least a 10% tip in the United States, since servers often earn below minimum wage and rely on tips for their income. If the issue was with the food rather than the service, the tip should not be reduced, as the server did not prepare the meal. For truly terrible service, leaving a 10% tip and speaking with the manager is more effective than leaving no tip. Leaving zero tip may be interpreted as forgetting rather than as a statement about service quality.

Tipping customs vary significantly around the world. In Japan, tipping is generally considered rude and is not expected. In most European countries, a service charge of 10% to 15% is often included in the bill, and rounding up is sufficient. In Australia, tipping is not obligatory but 10% is appreciated for exceptional service. In Canada, tipping norms are similar to the United States at 15% to 20%. In many Middle Eastern and North African countries, 10% to 15% is standard. Always research local customs before traveling to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

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Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and may not reflect exact values.

Last updated: February 23, 2026

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