What this calculator does
A tip calculator does two jobs at a restaurant table: it works out the gratuity at your chosen percentage, and it divides the total between everyone paying. Both are simple arithmetic that is annoyingly easy to get wrong after a meal.
Tipping norms vary enormously by country: customary in some, unusual in others, and occasionally already included as a service charge. The percentage here is an input rather than a preset, so the calculator works wherever you are.
The formula
The tip is a straight percentage of the bill. The total is the bill plus the tip, and the per-person figure is that total divided by the number of people sharing it.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bill | The amount before any tip. |
| Tip | The gratuity, as a percentage of the bill. |
| Per person | The total divided evenly. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Bill ($) | The bill total before any tip. If a service charge is already included, deduct it first. |
| Tip (%) | The percentage you want to tip. Common in tipping cultures: 15% for standard service, 18–20% for good. |
| Split between (people) | How many people are splitting the bill evenly. |
When to use it
Splitting a restaurant bill evenly
Enter the bill, your tip percentage and the number of people. The per-person figure is what each contributes including their share of the tip.
Checking a service charge
If the bill already includes a service charge, work out what percentage it represents before adding anything further. Many bills include 10% or 12.5% by default.
Tipping in a different country
Set the percentage to whatever is customary where you are: including zero, which is the norm in a number of countries where staff are paid a full wage.
Rounding up to a clean total
Adjust the percentage until the total lands on a round number. It is easier to settle and the difference in tip is usually a matter of cents.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
Tip and total on a $120 bill
A $120 bill shared between four people at various tip percentages.
| Tip | Each person pays | Tip | Total bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $30.00 | $0.00 | $120.00 |
| 10% | $33.00 | $12.00 | $132.00 |
| 12.5% | $33.75 | $15.00 | $135.00 |
| 15% | $34.50 | $18.00 | $138.00 |
| 18% | $35.40 | $21.60 | $141.60 |
| 20% | $36.00 | $24.00 | $144.00 |
| 25% | $37.50 | $30.00 | $150.00 |
A 15% tip on bills of different sizes
A standard 15% tip across a range of bill sizes, split between two people.
| Bill | Tip | Total bill | Each person pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $3.75 | $28.75 | $14.38 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $57.50 | $28.75 |
| $80 | $12.00 | $92.00 | $46.00 |
| $120 | $18.00 | $138.00 | $69.00 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $230.00 | $115.00 |
| $350 | $52.50 | $402.50 | $201.25 |
Questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Custom varies. Tipping on the pre-tax amount is defensible and slightly cheaper; many people tip on the total for simplicity. Enter whichever figure you prefer as the bill.
What is a standard tip?
It depends entirely on the country. In the United States, 15–20% is typical for table service. In much of Europe, rounding up or 5–10% is common. In Japan and several other countries, tipping is not customary and can be unwelcome.
What if a service charge is already added?
It usually replaces the tip. Check the bill before adding anything further: many venues include 10% or 12.5% automatically, particularly for large groups.
How do I split unevenly?
This calculator divides evenly. For uneven splits, apply the tip percentage to each person’s own share of the bill, which produces the same total.
To compare prices per unit while shopping, see the unit price calculator, or work out a sale price with the discount calculator.