Tip Calculator
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A tip calculator is the fastest way to figure out how much to leave at a restaurant and how to split the bill evenly with friends. Enter your subtotal, pick a tip percentage, and choose how many people are splitting — the calculator does the rest.
In the United States, 15–20% is the standard tipping range for sit-down service. Higher percentages are common for exceptional service, large parties, or when service has been built into the bill (always check first to avoid double-tipping).
Key takeaway
A tip is just a percentage of the bill. The 18–20% range is the de-facto US floor for sit-down service — anything below feels socially loaded, anything above signals real appreciation. Everything else (counter service, takeout, delivery) has its own softer norms, but at a sit-down restaurant the math is the same and the only question is which percentage to apply.
How it's calculated
The math is straightforward. The tip amount is the bill multiplied by the tip percentage, divided by 100. The total is the bill plus the tip. Splitting just divides the total by the number of people:
- Tip = Bill × Tip % ÷ 100
- Total = Bill + Tip
- Per person = Total ÷ People
If your receipt already includes sales tax, you can decide whether to tip on the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total. Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically correct but most diners simply use the after-tax line because it's the larger, visible number.
Source: Standard percentage-of-bill tip calculation
Quick tricks
- 20% tip — move the decimal one place left, then double it. Standard sit-down service. $40 bill → $4 → $8 tip.
- 15% tip — take 10% (decimal trick), then add half of that. Counter service or basic dining. $40 → $4 + $2 = $6.
- 18% tip — calculate 20%, then subtract 10% of that number. Standard service when you want something between 15% and 20%. $40 → $8 → $7.20.
- Double the sales tax. In states with 7–9% sales tax, doubling gives a fast 14–18% tip and is already on your receipt.
Examples
Dinner for two — $80 bill, 20% tip
On an $80 dinner with a 20% tip, the tip itself is $16. That brings the total to $96. Split evenly between two people, each pays $48.
Group of four — $124 bill, 18% tip
A $124 bill with an 18% tip works out to $22.32 in tip and a total of $146.32. Split four ways, each person owes $36.58.
Frequently asked questions
Is 15% or 20% the right tip in the US?
For standard sit-down restaurant service, 18–20% is now the customary range in most US cities. 15% is the floor for acceptable service, and 25%+ is reserved for exceptional service or large parties. Counter service and takeout are generally tipped at a lower rate (10–15%) or not at all in some establishments.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Strictly speaking, tipping is calculated on the pre-tax subtotal — sales tax goes to the state, not the staff. In practice, most diners tip on the after-tax total because that's the bottom line on the receipt. The difference on a $50 bill in a state with 7% tax is roughly $0.60 of tip — small enough that it usually isn't worth the mental math.
How do I handle "service included" charges?
If your bill says "service charge" or "gratuity included", the tip is already on there — typically 18–20% — and you don't need to add more unless you want to. This is common for parties of 6+, prix-fixe events, and at restaurants that have moved to a no-tipping model. Always read the fine print at the bottom of the receipt.
How do I split a bill unevenly?
This calculator splits evenly. For uneven splits (one person had the lobster, another had soup), use the bill total as a starting point, calculate the tip on the whole bill, then divide the tip proportionally based on each person's subtotal. A common shortcut: each person pays their own subtotal × (1 + tip rate + tax rate).