Tip Calculator
Work out the tip, total bill, and per-person split in seconds.
How do you calculate a tip?
To calculate a tip, multiply the bill amount by the tip percentage (as a decimal). For example, an $85 bill with an 18% tip works out to $15.30 in gratuity, bringing your total to $100.30. If you're splitting the bill with friends, divide that total by the number of people to get each person's share.
What's a normal tip percentage in the US?
Tipping culture varies by state and by type of service, but 15-20% is the general range for sit-down restaurants across the country. Tourist-heavy cities and large metros often lean toward 20% or more, while some regions are comfortable at 15%. Use the state selector above to see the typical norm where you're dining.
Tips for splitting a bill fairly
When splitting evenly, calculate the tip on the full pre-split total first, then divide — this avoids rounding differences between people. For uneven orders, some groups prefer to tip on their own item total instead of an even split. Either way, this calculator updates instantly as you adjust the bill, tip percentage, and party size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
For sit-down table service in the US, 15-20% of the bill is standard, with 20% becoming the more common default in larger cities. For exceptional service you can go higher, and some people round up to the nearest whole dollar amount after calculating the percentage.
Do you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Etiquette guides generally recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, since tax isn't part of the service being rewarded. In practice, many people simply tip on the total including tax because it's easier to calculate — the difference is usually small on an average bill.
How much should I tip for food delivery?
A common guideline is 15-20% of the order total, with a minimum of around $3-5 for smaller orders, since delivery drivers often make a flat fee regardless of distance. Tip more for bad weather, long distances, or large/heavy orders.
Is tipping mandatory in the United States?
Tipping is not legally required in most situations, but it's a strong social expectation in the US because many service workers, especially tipped restaurant staff, are paid a lower base wage that assumes tips make up the difference. Skipping a tip for adequate service is generally considered rude rather than illegal.
How do I quickly calculate a 20% tip in my head?
Move the decimal point one place to the left to find 10% of the bill, then double that number to get 20%. For example, on a $60 bill, 10% is $6, so 20% is $12 — or use the calculator above for an exact figure that also handles splitting.
What's the best way to split a bill among a group?
Calculate the tip on the full pre-split bill first, then divide the grand total evenly among everyone — this avoids small rounding mismatches that happen when each person tips separately. For groups with very uneven orders, splitting by individual item cost plus a proportional tip share can feel fairer.
Should you tip less for bad service?
Most etiquette experts suggest tipping at least 10% even for poor service rather than skipping entirely, since a zero tip doesn't clearly communicate the issue and can unfairly hurt a worker's income. If service was genuinely bad, it's usually more effective to speak with a manager in addition to adjusting the tip.
Do tipping norms differ by country?
Yes — tipping is far less common outside the US. In much of Europe, a service charge is often already included and small rounding-up is enough; in Japan, tipping can even be seen as awkward or unnecessary. Always check local norms before assuming US-style 15-20% tipping applies abroad.