Tip Calculator - Calculate Tips & Split Bills Instantly
Calculate perfect tips for restaurants, delivery, taxis, and services with our free online tip calculator. Split bills among friends, adjust tip percentages, and quickly determine fair gratuity amounts. Whether dining out, ordering delivery, or getting a haircut, our calculator ensures you tip correctly every time.
Why Use a Tip Calculator?
Accurate Calculations
Mentally calculating 18% of $87.42 is difficult, especially after a meal or when in a hurry. Our calculator provides instant, precise tip amounts, eliminating guesswork and math errors.
Fair Bill Splitting
Splitting bills among groups is notoriously complicated. The calculator divides both the bill and tip evenly, showing each person's exact share, preventing awkward payment disputes.
Tipping Etiquette Compliance
Different services have different tipping norms. Our quick-select buttons (10%, 15%, 20%) help you choose appropriate tip percentages for various contexts, ensuring you follow social norms.
Time-Saving Convenience
Instead of fumbling with your phone's calculator app or asking "what's 18% of this?", get instant results with adjustable sliders and clear breakdowns.
📝 Example: Group Dinner
Scenario: 4 friends at a restaurant
- Bill: $156.80
- Tip: 18% (standard for good service)
- Tip Amount: $28.22
- Total: $185.02
- Per Person: $46.26 (each pays this amount)
Result: Fair split, appropriate tip, no confusion!
How to Use the Tip Calculator
Step 1: Enter Bill Amount
Input the total bill amount before tip. This is typically shown on your receipt as "Subtotal" or "Total Before Gratuity". Don't include tax in some regions, or include it in others depending on local customs.
Step 2: Choose Tip Percentage
Select an appropriate tip percentage:
- 10%: Below average service or quick counter service
- 15%: Standard service, acceptable experience
- 20%: Good to excellent service (US standard)
- Custom: Use the slider for exact percentages (5%, 18%, 25%, etc.)
Step 3: Set Number of People
Use the +/- buttons to indicate how many people are splitting the bill. The calculator automatically divides the total and tip amount by this number.
Step 4 Review Results
The calculator displays:
- Tip Amount / person: How much each person contributes to the tip
- Total / person: Each person's share (bill + tip)
- Grand Total: Complete amount including tip for the whole group
Tipping Guidelines by Service Type
Restaurants & Dining
- Fine Dining: 18-25% for exceptional service
- Casual Dining: 15-20% standard
- Buffet: 10-15% (less service required)
- Takeout: 0-10% (optional, for packaging effort)
- Bar/Bartender: $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of tab
Delivery Services
- Food Delivery: 15-20% (minimum $3-5)
- Pizza Delivery: $2-5 or 15-20%
- Grocery Delivery: 10-20% depending on size/difficulty
- Bad Weather: Tip extra (20-25%) for adverse conditions
Personal Services
- Haircut/Salon: 15-25% for stylist
- Spa Services: 18-20% for massage, facials
- Nail Salon: 15-20% for manicure/pedicure
- Tattoo Artist: 15-20% (or more for custom work)
Travel & Transportation
- Taxi: 15-20% of fare
- Uber/Lyft: 15-20% in-app
- Hotel Bellhop: $1-2 per bag
- Valet Parking: $2-5 upon retrieval
- Hotel Housekeeping: $2-5 per night
Bill Splitting Strategies
Equal Split
Divide the total bill and tip equally among all diners. This is the simplest method, ideal when everyone ordered similarly priced items. Use the "Number of People" feature for automatic calculation.
Itemized Split
Each person pays for their own items plus their share of tax and tip. Use the calculator multiple times: calculate 20% on your portion, then add your share of tax.
Proportional Split
Split based on what each person ordered. If someone had a $15 entree and another had a $40 steak, they pay proportionally. Calculate individual bills, then use the calculator for each person's tip.
Couple/Group Method
Couples pay per couple (count as 2 people). Useful for mixed groups of singles and couples dining together.
Tip Calculation Math Explained
Basic Formula
Tip Amount = Bill Amount × (Tip Percentage ÷ 100)
Example: $50 bill × (20% ÷ 100) = $50 × 0.20 = $10 tip
Total With Tip
Grand Total = Bill Amount + Tip Amount
Example: $50 + $10 = $60 total
Split Among People
Per Person Amount = Grand Total ÷ Number of People
Example: $60 ÷ 4 people = $15 per person
Quick Mental Math Tricks
- 10% Tip: Move decimal left one place ($47.50 → $4.75)
- 15% Tip: Calculate 10%, then add half ($40 → $4 + $2 = $6)
- 20% Tip: Calculate 10%, then double it ($30 → $3 × 2 = $6)
- Rounding: Round bill up for easier math ($47.80 → $50 for tipping)
📝 Example: Coffee Shop
Quick service tip calculation:
- Bill: $6.75 (2 lattes)
- Service: Counter service (lower tip)
- Tip: 10-15% appropriate
- Calculation: 15% of $6.75 = $1.01
- Rounded Total: Leave $8.00 (easy with cash)
Common Tipping Scenarios
Poor Service
Question: Should I still tip if service was bad?
Answer: Yes, but reduce to 10% or speak with a manager. Servers rely on tips. If service was poor due to kitchen delays (out of server's control), tip normally.
Automatic Gratuity
Question: Restaurant added 18% automatic gratuity. Should I tip more?
Answer: Automatic gratuity (common for groups of 6+) counts as the tip. You can add extra for exceptional service, but it's optional.
Tipping on Tax
Question: Do I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Answer: Tradition varies by region. In the US, tipping on pre-tax is standard, but post-tax is acceptable. The difference is usually minimal ($1-2).
Comp'd Meals
Question: If my meal was free (comp'd), do I tip?
Answer: Yes! Tip on what the meal would have cost. The server still provided service.
Best Practices
Round Up for Convenience
Round tip to the nearest dollar for easier payment. If the calculator shows $7.48 tip, round to $7.50 or $8.00.
Tip in Cash When Possible
Cash tips go directly to servers without deductions. If paying by card, ask if servers receive 100% of card tips.
Tip on Discounts/Coupons
Always tip on the full original price before discounts. If you got 50% off a $40 meal, tip on $40, not $20.
Leave Tip Table-Side
Place cash tips visibly on the table or write the tip amount clearly on the receipt. Don't leave servers guessing.
International Tipping Differences
Countries Where Tipping is Expected
- United States: 15-20% standard, tipping culture very strong
- Canada: 15-20% similar to US
- Mexico: 10-15% common
- Egypt: Small tips (baksheesh) expected everywhere
Countries Where Tipping is Optional/Rare
- Japan: Tipping can be seen as rude; service charge included
- South Korea: Tipping not expected or practiced
- Australia: Tipping not required; service workers have higher minimum wage
- New Zealand: Similar to Australia, optional tipping
Countries With Service Charges
- UK/Europe: 12.5% service charge often included in bill
- Singapore: 10% service charge typically added
- India: 10% service charge common, additional tip optional
Always research local tipping customs when traveling internationally to avoid cultural faux pas.
Troubleshooting
Calculator Shows $0.00
Problem: All results show zero.
Solution: Ensure you've entered a bill amount. Click the bill input field and type a number.
Negative or Invalid Numbers
Problem: Can't enter certain values.
Solution: Bill amounts must be positive. Tip percentage ranges from 0-50%. People count must be 1 or higher.
Decimal Precision Issues
Problem: Results show many decimal places.
Solution: All results are automatically rounded to 2 decimal places (cents). For cash, round to nearest $0.25 or $1.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the standard tip percentage in the US?
15-20% is standard for sit-down restaurants. 20% is increasingly common for good service. Exceptional service may warrant 25%+ tips.
Should I tip on alcohol separately?
Tip on the full amount including alcohol. If you ordered expensive wine, the server still provided sommelier service worthy of tipping.
Do I tip at fast-casual restaurants (Chipotle, Panera)?
Tipping is optional at counter-service establishments. If there's a tip jar, $1-2 or 10% is appreciated but not expected.
How do I tip for takeout/to-go orders?
0-10% is appropriate. Someone packaged your order, but you didn't receive table service. Many people tip $1-3 flat or 10%.
Can I tip less than 15% for bad service?
Yes, but consider whether the server was at fault. Kitchen delays, missing ingredients, or slow food prep aren't the server's fault. If the server was truly negligent or rude, 10% or speaking to a manager is appropriate.
What if the bill is split but one person ordered much more?
Use the calculator for each person's portion individually, or discuss beforehand. Some groups do "separate checks" to avoid this issue.
How much do I tip for delivery in bad weather?
Increase your tip to 20-25% or add an extra $5-10 flat amount. Drivers risk safety in rain, snow, or extreme heat.
Is it rude to tip exactly 15%?
No, 15% is acceptable for average service. However, 18-20% is more common today due to wage stagnation and inflation affecting service workers.
Should I tip on a gift card?
Yes! If you paid $0 out-of-pocket but used a gift card, the server still provided full service. Tip on the full value of the meal.
How do I handle splitting a bill with a large group?
Ask for separate checks beforehand, or use this calculator with the group size to show each person's share. Payment apps like Venmo can also simplify reimbursement.
Privacy & Offline Use
All calculations happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to servers, ensuring your bill amounts and tipping habits remain private. The tool works offline once loaded, perfect for use in restaurants with poor internet.
Conclusion
Fair tipping supports service workers who rely on gratuity as a significant portion of income. Our tip calculator removes the guesswork, ensuring you tip appropriately while making bill splitting effortless. Whether dining with friends, ordering delivery, or getting a haircut, calculate perfect tips in seconds.
Bookmark this tool for quick access next time you're out!