Enter the bill, your tip percentage, and how many people are splitting it — get the tip amount, the grand total, and exactly what each person owes.
How the tip calculator works
Enter the bill, pick a tip percentage, and — if you're splitting — how many people are chipping in. You get the tip, the grand total, and exactly what each person owes, so nobody at the table has to do arithmetic out loud while the server waits. If you're wondering what percentage to pick, US norms by setting:
| Setting | Typical tip |
|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% (great service: 22%+) |
| Food delivery | 15–20%, minimum $3–$5 |
| Bar | $1–$2 per drink, or 18–20% of the tab |
| Counter service / takeout | 0–10% — genuinely optional |
| Buffet | 10% |
The formula
Tip = Bill × Tip% ÷ 100 • Each person = (Bill + Tip) ÷ People
Bill is the amount you're tipping on, Tip% is the percentage you choose, and People is how many ways you're splitting. With no split, the headline number is simply the bill plus tip.
Worked example
Dinner for two comes to $84.50. A 20% tip adds $16.90, making the total $101.40. Split two ways, each person pays $50.70 — of which $8.45 is their share of the tip.
Pre-tax or post-tax? And the mental-math shortcut
The traditional rule is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal — the tax isn't a service anyone provided. Tipping on the post-tax total is also completely fine and works out about 5–10% more generous; nobody has ever been scolded for it. Pick one, don't agonize.
For tip math without a phone: take 10% of the bill (slide the decimal one place left) and double it for 20%. On an $84.50 bill, 10% is $8.45, doubled is $16.90 — the exact answer above. For 15%, take the 10% and add half of it again. And in states where sales tax runs 8–10%, the old diner trick still works: just double the tax line and you've landed in polite territory.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
In the US, 18–20% is standard for sit-down table service, with 22% or more for genuinely great service. Delivery runs 15–20% with a $3–$5 minimum, bars are $1–$2 per drink, and counter service or takeout is truly optional — 0–10% depending on how much was actually done for you.
Do you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
The traditional etiquette rule is pre-tax — the subtotal before sales tax, since the tax isn't part of the service. Tipping on the post-tax total is also perfectly acceptable and simply a bit more generous. Either way, consistency matters less than not stiffing your server over the difference.
How do I calculate a 20% tip in my head?
Move the decimal one place left to get 10%, then double it. On a $63 bill: 10% is $6.30, doubled is $12.60. For 15%, take the 10% and add half of it again ($6.30 + $3.15 = $9.45). It's faster than unlocking your phone.
How do you split a bill with tip between people?
Add the tip to the bill first, then divide the total by the number of people — that way everyone's share includes their piece of the tip. A $84.50 bill with a 20% tip is $101.40, so two people pay $50.70 each. This calculator does exactly that and shows each person's tip share too.
Is it rude not to tip for takeout?
No — counter service and takeout tipping is genuinely optional in the US, tablet screens notwithstanding. A dollar or two (or ~10% on a big or complicated order) is a kind gesture for real effort, but the strong social obligation applies to table service, delivery, and bartenders, where tips are the core of the worker's wage.