US Tip & bill split calculator
Work out the tip and split any bill fairly between any group.
Tip: 18%
Tip
$15.30
Total
$100.30
Tip per person
$3.82
Total per person
$25.08
How tipping conventions work
Tipping norms vary substantially by country and by service type. There's no universal "right" amount — the calculator just runs the math for whatever percentage you choose.
Typical norms
- United States: 18–20% sit-down restaurant; 10% buffet/counter; $1–2 per drink at a bar; 15–20% taxi; 15–20% delivery. Tipping is part of the income model — servers in many states earn a sub-minimum cash wage.
- United Kingdom: Optional. 10–12.5% at sit-down restaurants only if service isn't already added. Pubs: round up. Taxis: round up.
- Canada: 15–18% at sit-down restaurants; 10% at quick service. Closer to US norms than UK.
- Australia: Largely optional — staff earn full living wages. 10% at restaurants is generous, not expected.
- Continental Europe: Service often included ("service compris"). Round up or leave 5–10% extra if not included.
- Japan, Korea, China: Tipping is uncommon and sometimes considered rude.
Pre-tax vs post-tax tipping
US convention is on the pre-tax total, though many people tip on the post-tax bill out of habit or because it's simpler. The difference at a typical 8% sales tax is about 1.5 percentage points on the tip — usually a couple of dollars. Servers generally don't object to either.
Splitting strategies
- Equal split: Divide total (food + tax + tip) by number of people. Fast, fair when consumption is roughly even.
- Itemised split: Each person pays their items plus a proportional share of tax and tip. Slower, fairer when consumption varied widely.
- Round to even amounts: Some groups round individual contributions to round dollars, with the small remainder going as extra tip.
Common mistakes
- Over-tipping in countries where it's not expected. In Japan, Korea, and parts of Europe, large tips can be returned or seen as awkward.
- Forgetting cash tips for hotel staff. US convention: $2–5/day for housekeeping, $1–2 per bag for bellhops.
- Splitting the bill 15 minutes after sitting down. Decide early when consumption varies dramatically; do an itemised split rather than fighting over an equal one.
What this calculator doesn't cover
- Region-specific service-charge inclusions (some countries auto-include service)
- Loyalty/membership rebates that reduce the post-tax total
- Group surcharges (auto-gratuity often applies for 6+ people)
- Currency-conversion fees if paying with a foreign card
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip?
US: 15–20% on the pre-tax total is standard at sit-down restaurants; 10% for buffet/counter service; nothing at most fast-food. UK: tipping is much less expected — round up at pubs, 10–12.5% at restaurants only if service wasn't already added. Australia and Canada sit between the two: 10–15% in restaurants, less elsewhere.
Do you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Convention is on the pre-tax total in the US, though many people tip on the post-tax total either by habit or because it's simpler. The difference is small (a 6–10% sales tax adds roughly 1–2 percentage points to your tip). Either is socially acceptable; servers generally don't object.
How do you split a bill fairly?
For equal splits, divide the total (including tip) by the number of people. For unequal consumption, split items individually and add a proportional share of tax and tip to each person's subtotal — the calculator above handles either method. Splitting evenly is faster; itemised splitting is fairer when consumption varied widely.
Embed this calculator
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