Tip Calculator
What this calculator does
This calculator helps you determine the appropriate tip amount and total bill when dining out, ordering delivery, or using any service where tipping is customary. Enter your bill total, select a tip percentage, and optionally split the result among multiple people to see each person's share.
Tipping practices vary by country and service type, but in the United States, tipping is a deeply embedded part of the service economy. Servers, bartenders, delivery drivers, hairdressers, and many other workers rely on tips as a significant portion of their income. This tool takes the mental math out of the equation so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
Whether you are calculating a quick 20% at a restaurant, splitting a group dinner five ways, or figuring out a fair tip for exceptional service, this calculator gives you instant, accurate results.
How to use it
- Enter the bill amount before tip (e.g. $85.50).
- Select or type a tip percentage (common choices are 15%, 18%, 20%, or 25%).
- Optionally enter the number of people splitting the bill.
- Read the tip amount, total bill, and per-person share in the results.
Formulas used
Tip amount = Bill × (Tip % / 100) Example: $85.50 × 0.20 = $17.10
Total = Bill + Tip amount Example: $85.50 + $17.10 = $102.60
Per person = Total / Number of people Example: $102.60 / 3 = $34.20
These formulas apply the tip to the pre-tax subtotal, which is the standard practice in the US. Some people prefer to tip on the after-tax total; either convention is acceptable, though pre-tax is technically correct.
Examples
Example 1 — Standard restaurant dinner: Bill = $64.00, Tip = 20%, 2 people. Tip amount = $64.00 × 0.20 = $12.80. Total = $76.80. Per person = $38.40.
Example 2 — Group brunch: Bill = $215.00, Tip = 18%, 6 people. Tip amount = $215.00 × 0.18 = $38.70. Total = $253.70. Per person ≈ $42.28.
Example 3 — Coffee shop: Bill = $5.75, Tip = 25%. Tip amount = $5.75 × 0.25 = $1.44. Total = $7.19.
Tips and common mistakes
- Tip on the pre-tax amount. The tax goes to the government, not your server. Look for the subtotal line on your receipt.
- Standard US tipping ranges: 15% for adequate service, 18–20% for good service, 25%+ for outstanding service. For takeout, 10–15% is increasingly common.
- Delivery drivers typically receive $3–5 or 15–20% of the order, whichever is greater.
- Don't forget to account for comped items. If the restaurant removes a dish from the bill, consider tipping on the original amount—the server still did the work.
- International travel: Many countries include service charges in the bill or do not have a tipping culture. Research local customs before defaulting to US percentages.
- Rounding up to a whole dollar amount is a simple way to leave a clean tip and simplify splitting.