Split a bill fairly and figure out the tip (or gratuity) without doing mental math at the table.
Tip %:
Tip: —
Total: —
Per Person: —
How to Use
- Enter the bill amount.
- Pick a tip percentage or type a custom one.
- Enter how many people are splitting it, then click Calculate.
This tip calculator instantly works out the gratuity, total bill, and each person’s share so you don’t have to do the math yourself.
Under the hood, the calculator multiplies your bill by the tip percentage to get the tip, adds that to the bill for the total, then divides the total by the number of people for the per-person share.
Example: an $80 bill with a 20% tip split 4 ways comes to a $16.00 tip, $96.00 total, and $24.00 per person. A $45 bill with a custom 22% tip split 2 ways comes to a $9.90 tip, $54.90 total, and $27.45 per person. A $50 bill with a 15% tip split 3 ways comes to a $7.50 tip, $57.50 total, and $19.17 per person.
Standard Tipping Guide
Many people search for a restaurant tip calculator or gratuity calculator just to quickly settle on a fair amount. The two terms are used interchangeably for the same kind of tool, and it also works as a plain bill splitter if you enter 0% for the tip. Tipping norms vary by service and location, but these are common starting points in the US.
| Service | Typical Tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18-20% |
| Bartender | 15-20% or $1-2 per drink |
| Food delivery | 15-20% (more in bad weather) |
| Hair stylist/barber | 15-20% |
| Taxi/rideshare | 10-15% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2-5 per night |
These figures reflect US norms. Tipping expectations differ a lot abroad, many countries build service into the price or consider tipping unnecessary or even unusual, so it’s worth checking local customs before traveling.
Did You Know?
Tipping wasn’t always an American habit. It’s believed to have started in European taverns during medieval times, and wealthy Americans picked it up while traveling abroad in the 1850s and 1860s, bringing the custom home with them. It wasn’t an instant hit: many Americans saw tipping as undemocratic and “un-American,” and several states even passed laws trying to ban it around the turn of the 20th century. Those laws had all been repealed by 1926, and tipping settled in as the norm it is today (source).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate a tip by hand?
Multiply the bill by the tip percentage (as a decimal) to get the tip amount, then add that to the bill for the total. For a $50 bill at 15%: 50 x 0.15 = $7.50 tip, so the total is $57.50.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Tipping on the pre-tax amount is the more traditional standard, but tipping on the post-tax total is common too and only adds a small amount more. Either is generally considered acceptable; this calculator uses whatever bill amount you enter.
Is tipping mandatory?
In the US, tipping isn’t legally required in most situations, but it’s a strong social expectation in tipped-service industries like restaurants, since many service workers are paid a lower base wage that assumes tips will make up the difference. Some receipts, especially for large parties, already include an auto-added service charge or gratuity; you can plug that percentage into this calculator to double-check whether it’s already a fair tip before adding anything extra.
What if the service was bad?
Many etiquette guides suggest tipping a reduced amount, like 10%, rather than skipping the tip entirely, and raising a serious service problem with a manager directly rather than only reflecting it in the tip. This calculator also works in reverse: if a receipt already has a suggested tip printed on it, plug in the bill and that percentage to double-check the math.
How much should I tip for takeout or counter service?
0-10% is typical for takeout or counter service, well below the 18-20% expected for a sit-down meal with full table service, since much less service is involved. For example, a $15 counter order with a 10% tip comes to $1.50, though many people round up or skip a tip entirely for simple pickup orders.
How do I split a tip evenly among a group?
Enter the full bill and tip percentage, then enter the number of people in the “Split Between” field. The calculator divides the bill plus tip evenly and shows the amount each person owes. When the total doesn’t divide evenly to the cent, like $57.50 split 3 ways, the calculator rounds to the nearest cent per person; in practice, one person can simply cover the extra penny or two. This calculator assumes an even split; if someone ordered significantly more (say, an extra entree and drinks), it’s usually fairer to have that person cover the difference separately rather than force an even split. As a quick formula: add the tip to the bill for the total, then divide that total by the number of people. For example, a $60 bill with a $12 tip split 3 ways is $24 each.
How do I split a tip for a large group or unevenly?
The math works the same for any group size: add the tip to the bill and divide by the number of people. For an uneven split, calculate each person’s own item total plus their share of tax and tip separately, then have each person pay their own amount instead of dividing the total equally.