Tip Calculator - Calculate Tip Amount & Split Bills Instantly

Calculate tip amount and split restaurant bills between multiple people instantly. Enter your bill total, choose tip percentage (10% to 25%), and number of people—see tip amount, total bill, and exact per-person amount in seconds. Our tip calculator also handles uneven bill splitting where different people ordered different amounts and calculates each person's proportional share of tax and tip automatically. Includes a complete US tipping guide covering restaurants, delivery, bars, hair salons, hotel housekeeping, rideshare, and spa services so you always know the appropriate tip for any situation. Tipping etiquette in the US is nuanced—the right amount varies by service type, quality of service, and local customs. Get the right number every time without awkward mental math.

How Tip Calculator Works - Exact Formula Explained

Tip calculation formula: Tip amount equals bill total multiplied by (Tip percentage divided by 100). Total bill equals Bill total plus Tip amount. Per person equals the total bill divided by Number of people. Example: $85 dinner bill, 18% tip, split 3 ways. The tip equals $85 × 0.18 equals $15.30. The total equals $85 plus $15.30 equals $100.30. Per person equals $100.30 divided by 3 equals $33.43 each. Important note: tip percentage should be calculated on the pre-tax bill amount, not the total including tax. However, most Americans tip on the post-tax total; the difference on a $85 bill with 8% tax is only about $1.10 (18% of $85 equals $15.30 versus 18% of $91.80 equals $16.52). Our calculator uses the pre-tax amount by default, as this is technically correct, but the difference is small enough that either is acceptable.

US Tipping Guide - How Much to Tip by Service Type

Restaurants (sit-down): 15% for adequate service, 18% for good service, 20% for excellent service, and 25% for exceptional. Calculate the pre-tax amount. Never tip below 15% unless service was genuinely poor—servers typically earn $2.13/hour base wage and depend on tips for income. Food delivery: 15-20% of order total (not including delivery fee). Minimum $3-5 regardless of small order size. Delivery drivers incur gas and vehicle costs. Takeout: 10-15% appreciated but not required for simple orders. 15% for large or complex orders. Bar service: $1-2 per drink minimum, or 15-20% on large bar tabs. Tip at the start of a long evening to ensure good service. Hair and salon: 15-20% to your stylist. Tip directly to the person doing the work, not the front desk. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): 15-20%. Add tip after the ride based on experience. Tip higher for airport trips (more difficult navigation) or for drivers who helped with luggage. Hotel housekeeping: $2-3 per night at budget hotels, $5 per night at luxury properties. Leave daily, not just at checkout—room attendants rotate. Hotel bellhop: $1-2 per bag, minimum $5. Spa and massage: 15-20% of service cost. Check bill carefully, as many spas add gratuity automatically. If gratuity is already included, you do not need to add more unless you want to.

Splitting Bills Fairly - Proportional vs Equal Splitting

An equal split works when everyone ordered roughly the same amount. An equal split is simple but causes friction when orders vary significantly. A proportional split is fairer when orders differ. Each person pays their item subtotal plus their proportional share of tax and tip. Example: Alice ordered $35, Bob ordered $55 (total subtotal $90). 8% tax equals $7.20. 18% tip equals $16.20. The total equals $113.40. Equal split: $56.70 each (Alice overpays by $9.05 based on what she ordered). Proportional: Alice's share equals 35/90 of total equals 38.9% × $113.40 equals $44.07. Bob's share equals 55/90 of total equals 61.1% × $113.40 equals $69.33. A proportional split is fairest for mixed orders. Use our split bill feature to enter each person's amount and see exact fair shares automatically.

When and How to Tip in Difficult Situations

Counter service and fast casual: Tipping is optional (Chipotle, Starbucks counter service). The tip prompt on tablets can feel pressuring. There is no obligation—these workers earn full minimum wage, unlike restaurant servers. However, if you are a regular customer at a small business, tipping occasionally builds goodwill. Poor restaurant service: Never withhold tip entirely based on kitchen delays. These are not the server's fault. If service itself was poor (rude, inattentive, or wrong orders), 10% is acceptable. For severe issues, speak to a manager instead. Split service: Different servers throughout your meal (wine sommelier, food runner, main server). Your tip goes to the main server who typically tip-shares with support staff. Automatic gratuity: Restaurants often add 18-20% gratuity automatically for groups of 6 or more. Check your bill before adding an additional tip. Tipping outside US: Many countries have no tipping culture (Japan, South Korea). Tipping in Japan can be considered rude. Europe: 10% is generous; rounding up is common. Always research local customs before traveling internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping