Calculate tips quickly and accurately for restaurants, services, and more. Split bills, calculate different tip percentages, and never overpay or underpay again.
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Enter tip percentage (0-100)
Enter number of people splitting the bill
Calculating tips is a common task when dining out, using services, or splitting bills, but doing the math quickly and accurately can be challenging, especially when splitting bills among multiple people. Understanding tip percentages, knowing appropriate tip amounts for different services, and being able to calculate tips quickly helps you tip appropriately and avoid awkward situations. Our comprehensive tip calculator guide will help you understand tipping etiquette, calculate tips accurately, split bills fairly, and navigate tipping in various situations with confidence.
A tip, also called gratuity, is an optional payment given to service workers in addition to the bill amount. Tips are common in restaurants, bars, hotels, taxis, hair salons, and other service industries. While tipping is technically optional in most places, it's considered standard practice in many countries, especially the United States, where service workers often rely on tips as a significant portion of their income. Understanding appropriate tip amounts and how to calculate them helps you tip fairly and appropriately.
Calculating a tip is straightforward: multiply the bill amount by the tip percentage (as a decimal). Here's the formula:
Tip Amount = Bill Amount × Tip Percentage
Total Amount = Bill Amount + Tip Amount
For example, for a $50 restaurant bill with a 20% tip:
To quickly calculate 10%, move the decimal point one place to the left. For a $45 bill, 10% = $4.50. Then double it for 20% ($9.00) or multiply by 1.5 for 15% ($6.75).
To calculate 20% quickly, divide the bill by 5. For a $60 bill, $60 ÷ 5 = $12 (20% tip).
Round the bill to a convenient number, calculate the tip, then adjust. For a $47.83 bill, round to $50, calculate 20% = $10, then adjust down slightly to $9.50-10.00 for accuracy.
Restaurant tipping standards in the United States:
Tip percentages vary by service type:
Our tip calculator makes calculating tips quick and easy. Here's how to use it:
There's debate about whether to tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount:
Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically the standard practice. This means calculating the tip on the bill subtotal before sales tax is added. For example, on a $100 bill with 8% tax ($8), you'd tip 20% on $100 = $20, not on $108.
Many people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity, which results in a slightly higher tip. Using the same example, 20% of $108 = $21.60. While this is slightly more generous, the difference is usually small and either approach is generally acceptable.
Splitting bills among multiple people can be complicated, especially when calculating tips. Here are common methods:
Divide the total bill (including tip) evenly among all people. This is simplest when everyone shared equally. For example, a $120 bill (including $20 tip) split 4 ways = $30 per person.
Each person pays for their portion plus a proportional share of the tip. If one person's meal was $40 of a $100 bill, they pay $40 + 20% tip ($8) = $48, while someone who spent $20 pays $20 + $4 tip = $24.
Requesting separate checks allows each person to calculate and pay their own tip. This is fairest when people ordered very different amounts, but not all restaurants accommodate this.
Some restaurants automatically add a service charge or gratuity (often 18-20%) for large parties (typically 6+ people). When this is included, an additional tip is usually not expected, though you can add more for exceptional service. Always check your bill carefully for included gratuity.
Tipping for takeout is less standard but appreciated, especially if staff packaged your order or provided extra service. 10-15% is reasonable for takeout, or $1-2 for simple orders. Counter service typically doesn't require tips, though tip jars are common and appreciated.
If service is poor, you have options: tip a lower percentage (10-15%), speak with management about the issue, or in extreme cases, tip minimally or not at all. However, consider that poor service might be due to factors beyond the server's control (kitchen delays, understaffing).
For exceptional service, consider tipping above the standard 20%. Exceptional service might include going above and beyond, handling special requests, or providing an outstanding experience.
Tipping customs vary significantly by country:
Tipping is expected and service workers rely on tips. 15-20% is standard for restaurants.
Many European countries include service in the bill. Small tips (5-10%) or rounding up is common but not always expected.
Tipping customs vary widely. Japan generally doesn't tip, while some countries like Thailand appreciate small tips. Research local customs before traveling.
Similar to the U.S., 15-20% is standard for restaurants.
Avoid these common tipping mistakes:
Calculating tips accurately and appropriately is an important social and financial skill. Our tip calculator makes it easy to calculate tips quickly, split bills fairly, and ensure you're tipping appropriately for different services. Remember that tipping is about showing appreciation for good service and supporting service workers who often rely on tips. Use standard percentages as guidelines, but adjust based on service quality and local customs. When in doubt, err on the side of generosity—good tips support workers and ensure better service in the future. Use our calculator to take the guesswork out of tipping and focus on enjoying your dining and service experiences.
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To calculate a tip, multiply the bill amount by the tip percentage (as a decimal). For example, a $50 bill with a 20% tip: $50 × 0.20 = $10 tip. The total would be $60. Common tip percentages are 15% (standard), 18% (good service), and 20% (excellent service). Our calculator does this automatically and shows the tip amount and total.
Standard tip percentages vary by service type. For restaurants: 15% is standard, 18% for good service, 20% for excellent service, and 10-15% for poor service. For other services: 15-20% for food delivery, 10-15% for taxi/ride-share, 15-20% for hair salons, and $1-2 per drink at bars. Tips can vary by location and culture—when in doubt, 18-20% is generally safe for good service.
The standard practice is to tip on the pre-tax amount (the subtotal before sales tax). However, many people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity, which results in a slightly higher tip. Either approach is acceptable—the difference is usually small. Our calculator can handle both methods.
To split a bill with tip, first calculate the total including tip, then divide by the number of people. For example, a $100 bill with 20% tip ($20) = $120 total. Split 4 ways = $30 per person. Our calculator can split bills evenly or by custom amounts, making it easy to divide costs fairly among friends or colleagues.
If a service charge or gratuity is already included in the bill (common for large parties), an additional tip is typically not required, though you can add more for exceptional service. Check your bill carefully—some restaurants add automatic gratuity for parties of 6 or more. If service charge is included, it's usually clearly marked on the bill.