About this calculator
Tipping is simple arithmetic wrapped in social pressure — which is exactly why it so often goes wrong at the table. This calculator removes the awkwardness: pick the percentage that matches the service, split the result evenly, and everyone pays the same fair share, tip included.
In the US, tipping at sit-down restaurants is effectively part of the price: servers' base wages are set assuming tips, and 15%–20% is the standard range. Percentages differ by service — less for takeout and counter service, more for delivery in bad weather and anyone who went above and beyond.
How to use it
- Enter the bill total (before tip).
- Choose a tip percentage, or select Custom and type your own.
- Set how many people are splitting the bill.
- Each person pays the headline figure; the rows below show how it breaks down.
The formula
The tip is a straight percentage of the bill. Splitting divides the full amount — bill plus tip — equally, so nobody ends up covering part of someone else's tip by accident.
Worked example
An $86.50 dinner bill, tipped at 18% and split three ways: the tip is $15.57, the total is $102.07, and each person pays $34.02. At 20% the tip would be $17.30 and each share $34.60 — notice how small the difference is to you, and how much it adds up across a server's shift.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant in the US?
15%–20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard range for sit-down service: 15% for adequate, 18% for good, 20%+ for great. Many people tip on the post-tax total, which effectively raises the percentage slightly — that is fine and common, but pre-tax is the traditional base.
How much should I tip for takeout, delivery and coffee?
Takeout: 0%–10%, with a few dollars appreciated for large or complicated orders. Delivery: 15%–20% with a sensible minimum (around $5), more in bad weather. Coffee and counter service: tipping is optional — spare change to $1–2 per drink is typical, and skipping it is socially acceptable in most places.
Do I tip on the total before or after tax?
Traditionally on the pre-tax amount, since tax is not part of the service. In practice, tipping on the final total is widespread and simply results in a slightly higher effective percentage. Either is defensible; what matters is not tipping on a discounted total — if you used a coupon, tip on the original price.
How do I split a bill that is not even?
This calculator splits evenly, which suits most group meals. If orders differed wildly, the fairest approach is each person pays for their items plus their proportional share of tax and tip — or take turns treating, which over time is simpler and kinder than any arithmetic.