A tip calculator saves the mental math at the end of a meal, especially when the bill has to be split and nobody wants to send anyone 33 cents. Enter the bill, choose a tip percentage and the number of people, and you get the tip, the total and each person’s share — with optional rounding to whole dollars.
How to use the tip calculator
- Enter the bill total from the receipt.
- Enter the tip percentage you want to leave.
- Enter how many people are splitting the bill.
- To tip on the pre-tax amount, enter the tax line from the receipt; leave it blank to tip on the whole bill.
- Choose a rounding option if you want each share, or the total, rounded up to the next dollar.
Tip formulas
When rounding is on, the calculator rounds the per-person share or the total up to the next whole dollar and shows the resulting tip and its effective percentage.
Worked example
Two friends have a dinner bill of $86.40, which includes $6.40 of sales tax, and want to tip 18% on the pre-tax amount.
Tip base = 86.40 − 6.40 = $80.00
Tip = 80.00 × 18% = $14.40
Total = 86.40 + 14.40 = $100.80, or $50.40 each
Rounding each share up to $51.00 makes the total $102.00 and the tip $15.60 — 19.5% of the pre-tax bill.
Tip amounts on an $80 pre-tax bill
| Tip % | Tip | Bill + tip (with $6.40 tax) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $8.00 | $94.40 |
| 15% | $12.00 | $98.40 |
| 18% | $14.40 | $100.80 |
| 20% | $16.00 | $102.40 |
| 22% | $17.60 | $104.00 |
| 25% | $20.00 | $106.40 |
Tipping customs in the US
| Service | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 15% – 20% of the pre-tax bill |
| Bartender | $1 – $2 per drink, or 15% – 20% of the tab |
| Food delivery | 15% – 20%, with a minimum of a few dollars |
| Taxi or rideshare | 15% – 20% |
| Hair salon or barber | 15% – 20% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2 – $5 per night |
Customs vary by region and change over time, and many counter-service businesses now show tip prompts on payment screens. Tipping there is optional.
Why the pre-tax amount matters
The difference is small on one meal — at 20%, tipping on $6.40 of tax adds $1.28 — but it is the convention most etiquette guides follow. In states with high combined sales tax rates, tipping on the after-tax total raises the effective tip by nearly two percentage points.
When people ordered different amounts
An even split is simple but not always fair. If one person ordered a steak and another a salad, use the split the bill calculator, which divides tax and tip in proportion to what each person ordered.
Suggested percentages are common US customs, not rules. Results are rounded to the cent and are estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
In the US, 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill is customary for table service, with 18% to 20% now common in many cities. Many people tip more for exceptional service or large, complicated orders.
Should I tip on the total before or after tax?
Etiquette guides generally say to tip on the pre-tax amount, since tax isn't part of the service. Enter the tax shown on your receipt and the calculator will base the tip on the subtotal; leave it blank to tip on the full bill.
What is a quick way to calculate a 20% tip?
Move the decimal point one place to the left to get 10%, then double it. On an $80 bill, 10% is $8, so 20% is $16. For 15%, add half of the 10% figure: $8 + $4 = $12.
Is a service charge the same as a tip?
Not necessarily. An automatic service charge, often added for large groups, is set by the restaurant and may not all go to the server. Read the receipt before adding a separate tip so you don't pay twice.