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Tip Calculator

Calculate tip and split the bill among your group.

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%
1person

Tip amount

$0.00

Total

$0.00

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About This Tool

Enter the bill total and tip percentage; the tool returns the tip amount and grand total. Add a number of people to split among and it divides everything evenly, including handling odd cents that don't divide cleanly.

Use it to settle a check at a restaurant, sanity-check a hotel bill, or split costs after a group dinner. Common tip percentages (15, 18, 20, 25) are one-tap presets; type any value for custom. Pretax tipping toggle moves between tipping on the subtotal and tipping on the tax-inclusive total — different cultures and contexts default to one or the other.

Nothing complicated about the math. The reason to use a calculator instead of mental arithmetic is that everyone at the table can see the same number and stop arguing.

The formulas. Forward: tip = subtotal × tip_rate; total = subtotal + tax + tip. Per-person: per_person = total ÷ number_of_people. Reverse (you have a tip-included total, want to know the tip): tip = total × (tip_rate / (1 + tip_rate)) when tipping on tax-inclusive total, or solve for the subtotal first when tipping on pretax. Most arguments at the table boil down to which subtotal the tip should apply to.

Worked example. Bill: $87.40 subtotal, $7.21 tax (8.25%), $94.61 total. Tipping 20% pretax: tip = $87.40 × 0.20 = $17.48. Total with tip: $112.09. Split 4 ways: $28.02 each. If everyone tips on the post-tax total instead (some POS systems pre-fill this as the default): tip = $94.61 × 0.20 = $18.92. Total: $113.53. Split 4 ways: $28.38 each. The 36-cent-per-person difference is small but nonzero, and over a year of dinners it adds up to dozens of dollars per regular diner.

Uneven splits. The tool's per-line-item mode lets you assign each menu item to a person (or split shared items proportionally). The tip and tax then prorate to each person's subtotal. Without this, even-splitting a $200 dinner where one person had a $60 entree and another a $20 salad systematically subsidizes the bigger eater. Some friend groups prefer even-splitting as a social convention; others want item-level fairness. The tool supports both — pick your group's norm.

Global tipping is genuinely confusing. US: 18-20% standard for sit-down, 25%+ for excellent service, 10-15% for counter service depending on the setup, 0% for fast food. Canada: 15-20%, similar to US. UK and most of Europe: service often included (look for "servizio incluso," "service compris," or a line item); 10% rounding-up tip if service was good and not included. Japan, South Korea: tipping is unusual and sometimes considered impolite; don't tip in standard restaurants. China: variable, increasingly common in tourist areas. Australia: 10% optional, often skipped. The tool computes whatever percentage you enter; the cultural norm is on you to know.

A practical opinion: tipping in the US is a wage subsidy — restaurant servers earn below minimum wage in most states with the assumption that tips bring them up. Tipping less than 18% in the US, regardless of personal feelings about the system, materially harms a low-wage worker. If you object to tip culture, vote for legislative reform — don't take it out on individual servers. The math the tool does works regardless of your stance; the social context is worth thinking about anyway.

The about text and FAQ on this page were drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a member of the Coherence Daddy team before publishing. See our Content Policy for editorial standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I tip on pretax or post-tax?
US convention is pretax — tip on the subtotal, not on the bill that includes sales tax. Some restaurants and POS systems pre-fill suggested tips based on the post-tax total, which slightly inflates the tip. The tool defaults to pretax and lets you switch.
How much should I tip?
US sit-down: 18–20% standard, 25%+ for excellent service. Counter and quick-service: 10–15% increasingly common but still discretionary. Outside the US: highly variable — Japan and most of East Asia don't tip at all; many European countries include service in the bill (look for "servizio incluso" or similar).
How does it split unevenly?
Even split mode divides equally. For uneven splits (one person had the steak, another a salad), enter each person's subtotal separately — the tool prorates the tip and tax proportionally. Most apps don't do this; getting it right requires a per-person input.
What about a service charge that's already included?
If the bill says "service charge" or "gratuity" already added, you don't need to tip again — that's the tip. Some places add it for parties of 6+. Read the line items before defaulting to your usual percentage.
Pretax or post-tax tipping?
US convention is pretax (tip on the subtotal). Some POS systems pre-fill 20% suggestions on the tax-inclusive total — that's a 1.6-2% boost above true 20% in high-tax jurisdictions. Tip on what you got, not on the tax the government got. Override the suggested amount if it computed off post-tax.
What about delivery drivers?
US convention: $5-7 minimum on small orders, 15-20% on larger ones, plus extra for difficult conditions (weather, multiple flights of stairs, distance). Many app-based platforms underpay drivers and rely on tips for living wages. Tip generously when conditions warrant it.
Should I tip on alcohol separately?
Tip the same percentage on everything if a single server handles your whole table. Tip the bar separately if you ordered drinks at the bar before sitting down (then split off): $1-2 per drink at typical bars, 15-20% on a tab. Bartender and server tips don't usually pool, depending on the establishment.
What does an automatic gratuity mean?
Some restaurants add an automatic gratuity for parties of 6+ (commonly 18%). The line item "gratuity" or "service charge" is the tip — don't tip again on top unless service was extraordinary. Read the receipt carefully before defaulting to your usual percentage.
How do I tip when paying with crypto?
Same percentages, computed on the bill total. Most crypto-accepting venues either charge in fiat first then convert, or quote in crypto with a built-in tip option. Tipping percentage doesn't change with payment method; the volatility of the asset is the venue's problem, not yours.
Are tips taxable?
Yes — for the recipient. In the US, tips are taxable income, which is why many credit-card-only systems make tip reporting easier (auto-recorded). Tipping in cash doesn't avoid the tax obligation for the recipient; it just makes it harder to track.