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Tip Calculator

Add a 15%, 18%, 20%, or 25% tip to your bill, split the total per person, handle uneven splits and rounding, and work backward from a target payment with reverse tip mode — all calculated on the pre-tax subtotal, the way it's customarily done in the US.

3 modes in one tool Instant per-person split Free, no sign-up Updated: Jul 19, 2026
$
Enter the subtotal — the amount before sales tax. US tipping etiquette calculates the tip on this pre-tax number, not the tax-included total.
%
Pick a preset or enter a custom percentage. 20% is the standard, generous US tip for good service.
If everyone ordered a different amount, enter each person's own total; the tip is split in proportion to those amounts.
%
Start from the amount you want to pay and find the tip rate that gets you there.
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$
⚙️ Advanced settings — sales tax, service charge, rounding step
Bill amount above includes sales taxBack the tax out before computing the tip
Quick answer To calculate a tip, multiply the bill subtotal (before tax) by the tip percentage: Tip = Subtotal × Percentage ÷ 100. For example, a $60 subtotal with a 20% tip = $60 × 20 ÷ 100 = $12, for a grand total of $72. To split it, divide the grand total by the number of people.
15%Okay service
18%Good service
20%Great / standard
25%Excellent service
ℹ️ Tipping note: Tipping is not legally required in the US, but it's a deeply embedded part of restaurant culture — many service workers are paid a lower base wage specifically because tips are expected to make up the difference. The percentages above are customary guidelines, not rules — the amount is always your choice. By convention, the tip is calculated on the subtotal before sales tax. All calculations run entirely in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to a server. Results are for informational purposes only.
🍽️ Tip Calculator — ToolPico ↗

What is a tip, and how do you calculate one?

A complete guide — with formulas and examples — to calculating a tip, splitting a bill per person, uneven splits, and the pre-tax vs. post-tax question.

A tip (or gratuity) is a voluntary payment added to a bill to thank a server, bartender, delivery driver, or other service worker for their work. In the United States, tipping is deeply embedded in service-industry culture — many servers are legally paid a lower base wage precisely because tips are expected to make up the rest — which makes it more of a strong social expectation than the fully optional practice it is in many other countries. This calculator adds a tip to your bill, splits the total evenly or proportionally among a group, and can also work backward from a target payment to tell you what tip rate you'd need.

How is a tip amount calculated?

Quick answerTip = Subtotal × Percentage ÷ 100, where Subtotal is the bill amount before sales tax. For example, a $60 subtotal with a 20% tip is $60 × 20 ÷ 100 = $12, giving a grand total of $72.
  • 15% tip: take 10% of the subtotal, then add half of that again (5%). $60 → $6 + $3 = $9.00.
  • 18% tip: take 20% and subtract about 2% of the subtotal. $60 → $12 − $1.20 = $10.80.
  • 20% tip: take 10% of the subtotal and double it. $60 → $6 × 2 = $12.00.
  • 25% tip: divide the subtotal by 4. $60 → $60 ÷ 4 = $15.00.

How much does each person owe? (bill splitting)

Quick answerPer person = (Subtotal + Tip) ÷ Number of people. Add the tip to the subtotal to get the grand total, then divide by the group size. A $60 bill + 20% tip ($12) = $72 total; split 3 ways that's $24.00 each.

To avoid fumbling with change, you can round the grand total or the per-person amount up or down to a friendlier number. When you turn on rounding, this tool folds the small resulting difference back into the tip, so the amount you actually collect still matches the grand total exactly — nobody pays a penny more or less than intended.

How do you do an uneven split?

Quick answerUse Uneven Split mode and enter each person's own order total; the tool distributes the tip in proportion to those amounts. Someone who ordered a $30 steak pays a bigger share of the tip than someone who had a $10 salad, and every person's exact payment is shown separately.

Is the tip calculated before or after tax?

Quick answerThe US convention is to tip on the subtotal before sales tax, not on the tax-included total. Sales tax doesn't reflect service quality, so basing the tip only on the pre-tax amount is both standard etiquette and slightly cheaper for you. Just enter the pre-tax subtotal directly (the default assumption); if you only know the tax-included total, turn on "Bill amount includes sales tax" in Advanced settings and enter your local tax rate so it can be backed out first.

What about auto-gratuity for large parties?

Quick answerSome restaurants automatically add an 18–20% service charge to the bill for large parties (commonly 6 or more people). If your receipt already shows one, an additional tip is optional. Enter that existing charge into the "Included service charge / auto-gratuity" field under Advanced settings so the calculator accounts for it before adding anything further.

Tip amount by bill total (example table)

Tip amounts at 15%, 18%, 20%, and 25% for common bill totals. For your exact number, use the calculator above.

Tip amount at 15%, 18%, 20%, and 25%
Bill15%18%20%25%
$20$3.00$3.60$4.00$5.00
$40$6.00$7.20$8.00$10.00
$60$9.00$10.80$12.00$15.00
$80$12.00$14.40$16.00$20.00
$100$15.00$18.00$20.00$25.00
$150$22.50$27.00$30.00$37.50
$200$30.00$36.00$40.00$50.00

Popular calculations

Tip reference tables & quick facts

Common US tipping norms by venue, per-person split examples, and quick mental-math shortcuts.

Common, non-binding US tipping guidelines by service type
Venue / serviceTypical tip
Casual sit-down restaurant15–20%
Fine dining20%+
Bartender15–20% (or $1–2 per drink)
Coffee shop / counter service$0–2 or ~10%
Food delivery15–20% (min. $3–5)
Hair salon / barber15–20%
Hotel housekeeping$2–5 per night
Taxi / rideshare15–20%
Buffet10%

These figures are cultural guidelines, not binding rules. A tip is always voluntary.

$72 grand total ($60 bill + 20% tip) split per person
PeoplePer person
2 people$36.00
3 people$24.00
4 people$18.00
5 people$14.40
6 people$12.00
8 people$9.00

Per person = grand total ÷ number of people. If everyone ordered different amounts, use "Uneven Split" instead.

Quick mental-math shortcuts for common tip percentages
RateShortcut
10%Move the decimal point one place left
15%10% + half of that again (5%)
18%20% minus about 2%
20%10%, doubled
25%Divide the subtotal by 4
30%Triple the 10% figure

Handy for quick estimates in your head. Use the calculator above for an exact result.

Typical restaurant tipping by country — customs vary widely; always check local norms
Country / regionTypical tip
United States15–20% (customary)
Canada15–20% (customary)
Mexico10–15%
United Kingdom10–12.5% (often added as service charge)
Ireland10% (if no service charge)
FranceNot expected — service is included by law (round up optional)
Germany5–10% (round up the bill)
ItalyNot expected — small "coperto" cover charge instead
SpainNot expected — small change or round up is fine
Portugal5–10% (optional, for good service)
NetherlandsNot expected — round up or 5–10% for great service
SwitzerlandNot expected — service included by law (round up optional)
AustraliaNot customary — 10% optional for exceptional service
New ZealandNot customary — small optional tip for excellent service
JapanNot customary — can be considered rude, don't tip
South KoreaNot customary — not expected
ChinaNot customary — not expected outside tourist hotels
SingaporeNot expected — 10% service charge usually included
ThailandNot required — rounding up or 10% appreciated
India5–10% if no service charge already included
United Arab EmiratesNot required — 10–15% appreciated if no service charge
Brazil10% (often already added as "serviço" on the bill)
Argentina10% (cash preferred)
South Africa10–15%
Egypt10% (small extra cash "baksheesh" widely expected)

General guidance only — local customs, service-charge laws, and etiquette vary by country and can change over time. When in doubt, check whether a service charge is already included on the bill before adding a tip.

Tipping & bill-splitting glossary

Short definitions of the core terms used in tip and bill calculations.

Tip (gratuity)A voluntary payment for service on top of the bill; not legally required in the US.
SubtotalThe bill amount before sales tax. US convention is to tip on this amount.
Sales taxA percentage added to the subtotal by the state/locality; the rate varies by where you are.
Grand totalSubtotal + sales tax + tip (plus any service charge) — the final amount owed.
Per personThe grand total divided evenly across everyone in the group.
Uneven splitSplitting proportional to what each person actually ordered, instead of splitting evenly.
Service charge / auto-gratuityA mandatory charge some restaurants add automatically, often for large parties; extra tip is optional.
RoundingAdjusting the grand total or per-person amount to a friendlier round number.
Reverse tipWorking backward from a target payment to find the tip rate that gets you there.
Double-the-tax trickA common US shortcut: roughly double the sales tax shown on the receipt to estimate a ~15–20% tip.

In-depth guides

The most commonly asked questions about tipping and splitting a restaurant bill.

How to fairly split a bill among a big group

If everyone ordered roughly the same amount, the simplest approach is an even split: add the tip to get the grand total, then divide by the number of people. But if one person just had a coffee while everyone else had a full meal, splitting evenly isn't fair. In that case, switch to Uneven Split mode, enter what each person's order actually came to, and the tool distributes the tip in proportion to those amounts.

To avoid fumbling with change at the table, you can round each person's payment up or down to the nearest dollar or $5. The calculator automatically folds the small rounding difference back into the tip, so the amount collected still matches the grand total.

Should you tip in cash or add it to the card?

A cash tip left on the table generally goes directly to the server who took care of you that shift. A tip added to a card payment is processed by the restaurant and, depending on house policy, may be pooled and shared among the whole waitstaff, or paid out with a regular paycheck rather than same-day. If getting the money to your specific server matters to you, cash is the more reliable route.

Either way, calculate the amount with this tool first — round it if you like — then decide whether to add it to the card or leave it in cash. The grand total and per-person amounts stay the same regardless of how you pay it.

What if the receipt already shows an auto-gratuity?

Some restaurants automatically add a service charge or auto-gratuity to the bill — most commonly for parties of six or more — typically in the 18–20% range. If that's already on your receipt, an additional tip is optional, and most people don't add much on top of it unless the service was outstanding.

Enter that existing charge into the "Included service charge / auto-gratuity (%)" field under Advanced settings; the calculator will factor it into your grand total and let you decide whether to add anything further on top.

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Frequently asked questions

How much should I tip at a restaurant in the US?
There's no legal requirement to tip in the US, but the customary range at full-service restaurants is 15% to 25% of the pre-tax subtotal. 15% is typically seen as fair for adequate service, 18% for good service, 20% is the most common standard tip for good-to-great service, and 25% is reserved for exceptional service. Servers in many states are paid a reduced base wage on the assumption that tips make up the difference, which is why tipping is considered customary rather than optional in practice.
Do you tip before or after tax?
The US convention is to calculate the tip on the subtotal before sales tax, not on the tax-included total. Sales tax doesn't reflect the quality of service, so tipping only on the pre-tax amount is both etiquette and slightly less expensive for you. This calculator's "Bill subtotal" field is meant for the pre-tax amount; if you only have the tax-included total, turn on "Bill amount includes sales tax" in Advanced settings and enter your local tax rate so the tool can back it out before computing the tip.
How do you split a restaurant bill among a group?
Add the tip to the subtotal to get the grand total, then divide that grand total by the number of people: Per person = (Subtotal + Tip) ÷ People. For example, a $60 bill with a 20% tip ($12) comes to $72 total; split between 2 people that's $36 each. If everyone ordered a different amount, use "Uneven Split" instead so the tip is divided in proportion to what each person actually spent.
What's a good tip percentage for good service?
20% is generally considered the standard, generous tip in the US for good service at a full-service restaurant. 15% is common for just-adequate service, 18% for solidly good service, and 25% is typically reserved for exceptional service. These are cultural norms, not fixed rules — the final percentage is always up to you.
How do you calculate an 18% or 20% tip quickly?
For a 20% tip, move the decimal point one place to find 10% of the bill, then double it: a $60 bill → $6 (10%) → $12 (20%). For 18%, take that same 10% figure, add half of it again (5%), then subtract a touch — or more simply, take 20% and subtract about 2% of the bill. Enter the exact numbers into the calculator above for a precise result instead of mental math.
How do you split the bill if everyone ordered different amounts?
Use the "Uneven Split" mode: enter what each person's food and drinks came to, and the tool distributes the tip proportionally — someone who ordered more pays a larger share of the tip, and someone who ordered less pays less. Each person's total payment is shown separately, so nobody over- or underpays.
Is tipping mandatory in the US?
No, tipping is not a legal requirement in the vast majority of cases, and restaurants generally cannot force you to pay it. The exception is an automatic service charge or auto-gratuity, which some restaurants add to the bill for large parties (commonly 6 or more people) — this is a mandatory charge printed on the receipt, and any tip beyond it is optional.
What if the bill already has a service charge or auto-gratuity?
If your receipt already includes an auto-gratuity or service charge (common for parties of 6 or more), additional tipping is optional — many people leave nothing extra, though a small amount is still appreciated for exceptional service. Enter the existing charge into the "Included service charge / auto-gratuity" field in Advanced settings so the calculator accounts for it before adding your own tip.
Is my data saved or sent anywhere?
No. Every calculation runs entirely in your browser; the bill amount, tip percentage, and any names you enter are never sent to a server. The "Copy link" button adds general values like the bill amount, tip rate, and number of people to a shareable URL — names entered in Uneven Split mode are never included in that link.
Do other countries tip the same way as the US?
No — tipping norms vary widely by country. Countries like Canada and Mexico follow a customary percentage similar to the US, while in much of Western Europe (France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands) a service charge is often included by law and an extra tip is optional or just rounding up. In many parts of Asia — including Japan, South Korea, and China — tipping is not customary and can even be seen as awkward or rude. The "International tipping guide" tab in the Reference section above lists typical practice for 24 popular countries and regions; when traveling, it's always worth checking current local etiquette since customs can change.

Methodology & approach

ToolPico's Tip Calculator is a free, independent tool that runs entirely in your browser. The calculation engine uses standard arithmetic: tip = subtotal × rate ÷ 100, grand total = subtotal + service charge + tip, and per person = grand total ÷ number of people. In Uneven Split mode, the tip is distributed in proportion to each person's individual amount. When rounding is enabled, the small difference between the exact and rounded figure is folded back into the tip so the collected total still matches the grand total exactly.

Tip percentages reflect common US restaurant-tipping norms, not a legal standard — the rate is always your choice, and this tool defaults to calculating the tip on the pre-tax subtotal, the customary US convention. Last updated: July 19, 2026. Results are for informational purposes only and are not financial advice.

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