Tip Calculator
Tip amount and per-person split, instantly.
Reviewed by the Calculation Machine team · Updated 24 October 2026 · How we check our maths
Your values
ⓘ Live results
- Each person pays
- $50.98
- Tip
- $15.55
- Total bill
- $101.95
- Tip per person
- $7.78
Quick answer
To calculate a tip, multiply the bill by the tip percentage: an 18% tip on $86.40 is $86.40 × 0.18 = $15.55, making the total $101.95. To split it, divide the total by the number of people — $50.98 each for two. In the US, 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is the usual range for table service.
What the Tip calculator does
This calculator gives the tip amount, the total bill including the tip, and what each person pays when the check is shared. Enter the bill, a tip percentage and the number of people; the split is even, which suits groups that share dishes or order similarly.
Most etiquette guides suggest tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, so enter the amount before sales tax if your receipt shows it. Tipping on the after-tax total is also common and only adds a little — on a $100 bill with 8% tax, an 18% tip goes from $18.00 to $19.44. The sales tax calculator can strip tax out of a total if the receipt only shows the final figure.
Check the receipt for an automatic gratuity or service charge before tipping. Many restaurants add one for parties of six or more, and tipping on top of it means paying twice.
The formula
Tip = Bill × T ÷ 100 Total = Bill + Tip Each person pays = Total ÷ N
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Bill | Bill amount, ideally the pre-tax subtotal | $ |
| T | Tip percentage | % |
| N | Number of people splitting the bill (rounded to a whole number, minimum 1) | people |
Simple percentage arithmetic. Results are rounded to the cent, so per-person amounts multiplied back up can differ from the total by a cent or two — have one person cover the odd cents. The split is equal; for uneven orders, run the calculator once per person with their own subtotal.
Worked examples
Dinner for two at 18%
A couple's restaurant bill of $86.40 before tax, tipping 18% and splitting evenly.
Inputs
- Bill amount86.40 $
- Tip18 %
- Split between2 people
Result
- Each person pays$50.98
- Tip$15.55
- Total bill$101.95
- Tip per person$7.78
The tip is $15.55 and each person pays $50.98. Rounding each share up to $51 gives the server a few extra cents and makes paying by card simpler.
Group of six at 20%
Six friends with a $312.75 bill, the restaurant has not added an automatic gratuity, and the group agrees on 20%.
Inputs
- Bill amount312.75 $
- Tip20 %
- Split between6 people
Result
- Each person pays$62.55
- Tip$62.55
- Total bill$375.30
- Tip per person$10.42
The tip is $62.55 and each person owes $62.55 in total, of which $10.42 is their share of the tip. Check the receipt first: if a service charge is already included, no further tip is expected.
Large group event at 15%
A $640 catered team lunch split between five departments, tipping 15% for delivery and setup.
Inputs
- Bill amount640 $
- Tip15 %
- Split between5 people
Result
- Each person pays$147.20
- Tip$96.00
- Total bill$736.00
- Tip per person$19.20
The tip is $96 and each department pays $147.20. For catering, look for a separate service or delivery fee on the invoice — it does not always go to the staff.
Typical US tipping rates by service
These are common customs in the US, not rules. Expectations are higher in big cities and lower in many other countries, where service is often included in the price.
| Service | Typical tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 15–20% | 18–20% is standard for good service; more for exceptional |
| Bar | $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of the tab | Per drink for simple orders, percentage for a tab |
| Food delivery | 15–20%, at least a few dollars | Delivery fees often do not go to the driver |
| Takeout / counter service | Optional, 0–10% | Tip screens are common; no tip is widely accepted |
| Hair or nail salon | 15–20% | Tip each person who worked on you |
| Taxi or rideshare | 15–20% | Round up on short trips |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night | Leave it daily, as staff may change |
Quick mental math for tips
- 10%: move the decimal point one place left. $86.40 → $8.64.
- 20%: double the 10% figure. $8.64 × 2 = $17.28.
- 15%: take 10% and add half of it. $8.64 + $4.32 = $12.96.
- 18%: 20% minus 2% (one-fifth of the 10% figure). $17.28 − $1.73 = $15.55.
- 25%: divide the bill by 4. $86.40 ÷ 4 = $21.60.
Tip sharing among restaurant staff
Behind the counter, tips are often pooled and shared out. Common methods are an equal split per shift, a split by hours worked, or a points system that weights roles (for example servers at 1.0 and bussers at 0.5). A tip-out is a fixed share a server pays to support staff, often figured as a percentage of their sales rather than of their tips.
To share a pool by hours, divide the pool by total hours worked, then multiply by each person's hours. A $600 pool across 40 hours is $15 an hour, so someone who worked 6 hours gets $90.
Under the US Fair Labor Standards Act, employers, managers and supervisors may not keep any part of employees' tips, and pools that include back-of-house staff are only allowed when the employer pays at least the full minimum wage. State laws can add stricter rules.
How to use the Tip Calculator
- 1Enter the bill amount — use the pre-tax subtotal if you prefer to tip before tax.
- 2Enter the tip percentage: 15 for adequate service, 18–20 for good, 25 for exceptional.
- 3Enter how many people are splitting the bill (1 if you are paying alone).
- 4Read each person's share, the tip and the total, and round up to a convenient figure if you like.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
In the US, 15–20% of the pre-tax bill for table service, with 18–20% now standard for good service. Tip more for exceptional service or a long, complex order.
Should I tip on the total before or after tax?
Etiquette guides generally say before tax, because tax is not part of the service. Tipping on the after-tax total is common too and only adds a small amount.
What is 20% tip on $50?
$10, making the total $60. Find 10% by moving the decimal ($5.00), then double it.
Do I need to tip if there is a service charge?
Usually not. An automatic gratuity, often added for parties of six or more, replaces the tip. A general service charge does not always go to staff, so ask if you are unsure.
How do I split a bill when people ordered different amounts?
Run the calculator for each person with their own subtotal, the same tip percentage and a split of 1. Then divide any shared items, such as appetizers, evenly.
References
- Fact Sheet #15: Tipped Employees Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) — US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
- Emily Post's Etiquette (tipping guidance) — The Emily Post Institute
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by the Calculation Machine team · How we build and test calculators
- Last reviewed: October 24, 2026
- Report an error