Tip Calculator
Work out the tip and total for a restaurant bill, split it between any number of people, round each share up, and tip on the pre-tax amount.
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About this toolWhat is the Tip Calculator?
Enter the bill, pick a tip percentage and say how many people are paying. The Tip Calculator shows the tip, the total and what each person owes, and a comparison table lists the same bill at 10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 22% and 25% so you can choose without redoing the sums.
Two options handle the awkward parts of a real check. Rounding lets you round each person's share or the whole total up to a whole amount, adding the difference to the tip so nobody has to find small change. The pre-tax switch tips on the food and drink only, not on the sales tax printed on the same receipt.
- Six tip presets plus any custom percentage
- Split between any number of people
- Round each share or the total up
- Tip on the pre-tax amount
- Comparison table of every preset for the same bill
How to use the Tip Calculator
- Enter the bill amount as printed on the receipt.
- Type a tip percentage or tap a preset (10% to 25%).
- Set how many people are splitting the bill with the minus and plus buttons.
- Optionally choose to round each share or the total up, and turn on "Tip on the pre-tax amount" and enter the tax shown on the receipt.
- Read per person, tip and total, or tap a row in the comparison table to switch percentage.
Worked examples
Dinner for three at 18%
Input
Bill 86.40, tip 18%, 3 people, no rounding
Output
Tip 15.55; total 101.95; 33.98 each
86.40 x 0.18 = 15.552, rounded to 15.55. The total does not divide evenly, so each share is shown to the cent.
Rounding each share up
Input
Same bill, round each share
Output
34.00 each; total 102.00; tip 15.60 (18.06%)
Each person pays a round 34, the total rises by 5 cents and the tip absorbs it, a fraction of a percent above 18%.
Tipping on the pre-tax amount
Input
Bill 86.40 including 6.40 tax, tip 20% on pre-tax
Output
Tip 16.00 on a base of 80.00; total 102.40
Tipping 20% on the full 86.40 would have been 17.28. The switch keeps the tip on the food and drink only.
Background and insight
A tip is a percentage of a base amount: tip = base x rate. The only real choice is the base. Many etiquette guides suggest tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, since the tax goes to the government rather than to the restaurant, while others simply tip on the total for convenience. On a bill with 8% tax, tipping 20% on the total instead of the subtotal adds 1.6 percentage points to the tip.
Rounding is done upwards on purpose. When each share is rounded up, the bill total grows by a few cents per person and that extra goes to the tip, so the effective percentage ends slightly above the one you chose. The calculator shows that effective percentage, so you can see the rounding cost exactly.
Customs differ widely. In the US, 15% to 20% at sit-down restaurants is widely cited by etiquette guides, while in many European countries and Japan service is included or tipping is small or absent. Treat the presets as a menu, not advice.
Common use cases
Splitting a group dinner
Divide the bill and tip evenly and round each share so everyone can pay a whole amount.
Delivery and takeout
Compare what 10%, 15% and 20% come to on a delivery order before you choose.
Travel
Switch the currency and use a lower preset where local custom expects a smaller tip.
Service work
Work out a percentage tip for a haircut, taxi or salon visit in a couple of taps.
Tips and limitations
- Check whether a service charge is already on the bill. If it is, a further tip is optional.
- For big parties many restaurants add an automatic gratuity; read the receipt before tipping again.
- Rounding the total up costs less than rounding each share up when many people are splitting.
- Tip percentages are not legal requirements. Local custom, service quality and whether staff receive tips directly all matter.
- If one person ordered much more, split the subtotal by item first and use the tool for each person's part.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a 20% tip quickly?
Move the decimal point one place left to get 10%, then double it. On a $64 bill, 10% is $6.40 and 20% is $12.80.
Should I tip on the total before or after tax?
Etiquette guides commonly suggest the pre-tax subtotal, because the tax is not part of the service. Tipping on the total is also common and only adds a little. The pre-tax switch lets you do either.
How do you split a bill with a tip between friends?
Add the tip to the bill and divide the total by the number of people. For $120 with an 18% tip among 4 people, the total is $141.60 and each pays $35.40.
How much should I tip at a restaurant in the US?
Etiquette sources commonly suggest 15% to 20% for table service, with more for excellent service. Counter service and takeout tips are more discretionary.
What does rounding each share up do to the tip?
It raises each share to the next whole amount and adds the extra to the tip, so the tip ends slightly above the chosen percentage. The calculator shows the effective rate after rounding.
Is a service charge the same as a tip?
Not always. A service charge is set by the business and may be shared differently or kept by the house; a tip is voluntary and goes to staff. Ask if you are unsure.
Is there an in-depth guide to the Tip Calculator?
Yes. “Sales Tax, VAT, Discounts and Tips: Percentages at the Till” covers the background, how it works, common pitfalls and worked examples. Read the full guide.
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