Tip Calculator
This calculator uses standard published formulas and is reviewed for calculation accuracy and clarity. The math is exact; the tipping percentages describe customary US practice and are guidance, not a rule.
A tip (gratuity) is a percentage added to a bill to reward service. This calculator computes the tip amount, the total including tip, and the per-person share when a group splits the bill. Enter the bill, the tip percentage, and the number of people — the reference table below covers the tip rates that are customary in the United States.
How It Works
Multiply the bill by the tip rate as a decimal to get the tip amount, add it to the bill for the total, and divide the total by the number of diners for an even split. A fast mental shortcut for 20%: take 10% of the bill (move the decimal one place left) and double it.
Tipping norms are cultural and vary by country and setting. The figures below reflect common practice in US table-service restaurants; counter service, delivery, and other services follow different conventions.
Worked Examples
Example 1 — splitting dinner. A $60 bill, 20% tip, 3 people. Tip = $12. Total = $72. Per person = $24.00.
Example 2 — a couple, good service. A $145 bill, 18% tip, 2 people. Tip = $26.10. Total = $171.10. Per person = $85.55.
Example 3 — the 20% shortcut. An $82 bill: 10% is $8.20, doubled is $16.40 — a 20% tip, for a $98.40 total, in one quick step.
What This Result Means
The tip is compensation added on top of the menu price, and in the US it often makes up a large share of a service worker's pay. The per-person figure is an even split of the whole bill plus tip; if diners ordered very differently, an even split may not feel fair — see the FAQ on uneven splits.
Reading the Result
Customary US restaurant table-service tipping:
- 15%: the traditional floor for adequate service.
- 18%: good service; a common default on suggested-tip screens.
- 20%: great service — widely treated as the standard today.
- 25%+: exceptional service or a small check you want to round up.
- Large parties: restaurants often add an automatic gratuity (often 18–20%) — check the bill before adding more.
These are customary norms in the United States for table service, not rules. Expectations differ for counter service and delivery, and in many countries tipping is minimal or already included in the price.
When to Use This Calculator
Use it at restaurants and bars, for food delivery and ride-share, at salons, or for hotel housekeeping — anywhere a gratuity is customary — and especially when a group needs to split the total evenly and fairly.
Limitations
- Splits the bill evenly across the group; it does not itemize who ordered what.
- Applies your chosen percentage to whatever bill figure you enter — see the FAQ on tipping pre-tax vs post-tax.
- Does not account for an automatic gratuity already added for large parties; if one is present, you have effectively already tipped.
- Reflects US conventions; customs vary widely by country and setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Either is accepted. Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is slightly more common and is what many etiquette guides suggest, but tipping on the post-tax total is also widely practiced and only adds a small amount.
What is a standard tip for restaurant service?
In the US, 15–20% is typical for table service, with 20% now treated as the everyday standard for good service and 25%+ reserved for exceptional service. For poor service, many still leave around 10% and raise the issue with a manager.
What if people want to split the bill unevenly?
This calculator divides the total evenly. For an uneven split, total each person's own items and apply the same tip percentage to each subtotal, so everyone tips proportionally to what they ordered.
Do I need to tip when a gratuity is already added?
If the bill already includes an automatic gratuity (common for large parties), you have effectively already tipped. Additional tipping is optional and usually only for standout service.
How do I quickly estimate a 15% or 20% tip in my head?
Find 10% by moving the decimal one place left. For 20%, double it. For 15%, add half of the 10% figure to itself (10% + 5%).