Tip Calculator

Tip calculator: gratuity and bill-splitting made simple

This calculator takes a bill amount, a tip percentage, and a headcount, then returns the tip, the grand total, and what each person owes. It also rounds the total to a whole dollar when you want clean change. Below are the tipping conventions worth knowing and the quick mental math that lets you check the result without a phone.

The tip formula

Tip          = bill × (tip% ÷ 100)
Total        = bill + tip
Per person   = total ÷ number of people

Example: a $80 dinner with a 20% tip adds $16, for a $96 total. Split between four people, that is $24 each.

How much to tip, by situation

• Sit-down restaurant: 18–20% standard, 15% for so-so service, 25%+ to reward something special.
• Counter service / coffee: optional; rounding up or 10% is generous.
• Food delivery: 10–15%, with a minimum of a few dollars and more for distance, weather, or big orders.
• Bar: $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of the running tab.
• Hairdresser / taxi: 15–20% is customary in the US.

Pre-tax vs post-tax

Strictly, a tip rewards service, so the "correct" base is the pre-tax subtotal. Tax is money that goes to the government, not the server. On a $50 meal with 8% tax, tipping 20% on the pre-tax amount is $10 versus $10.80 on the post-tax total — small enough that most diners don't bother distinguishing, but worth knowing for larger bills.

Mental math for a fast estimate

You rarely need exact figures to leave a fair tip:

• 10%:move the decimal one place left ($73.40 → $7.34).
• 20%:find 10% and double it ($7.34 → ~$14.70).
• 15%: take 10% plus half of that again ($7.34 + $3.67 ≈ $11).

Splitting a bill fairly

An even split is easiest and is usually fine when everyone ordered similarly. When one person had a steak and another had a salad, it is fairer to total each person's items separately and apply the same tip percentage to each subtotal. Whatever method you choose, agreeing on it before the bill arrives avoids awkwardness at the table.

Related calculators

• Percentage Calculator— work out any percent of any amount.
• Discount Calculator— sale price, savings, and tax combined.
• Unit Price Calculator— compare cost per unit to spot the best buy.
• Time Card Calculator— total work hours with lunch breaks and overtime if you're splitting a tipped shift.