Tip Calculator
Calculate the tip, full bill total, and each person's share for a restaurant meal, delivery, or service payment.
- Splits the bill across any number of people
- Supports common or custom tip percentages
- Shows per-person total, not just the tip
- Works for dine-in, delivery, or service
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Frequently asked questions
What is a standard tip amount?
Customs vary by country and service type. In many U.S. sit-down dining situations, common tips are often in the 15% to 20% range.
Why tip at all?
Tips often make up a meaningful part of compensation in hospitality and service industries, depending on local labor rules.
What about tip-out workers?
In some workplaces, tipped staff share part of gratuities with support staff such as bussers, bartenders, or runners.
Do credit card tips count differently?
The total tip is still part of compensation, though payout timing and payroll handling may differ from cash.
How do I split a bill fairly?
A simple split divides the total evenly. More detailed splits can account for each person's items separately.
Should I tip delivery services?
Local custom, service conditions, weather, and distance often influence what people consider a fair delivery tip.
Understanding Tipping: A Practical US Guide
Standard Tipping Rates by Service Type
Tipping customs vary by industry and context. These are the widely recognized norms in the United States:
- Sit-down restaurants: 18%–20% for standard service; 22%–25% for exceptional service. 15% is generally considered acceptable for merely adequate service but falls below current expectations at most full-service restaurants.
- Food delivery: $3–$5 minimum for nearby orders; 15%–20% of the order total for larger orders, especially in bad weather or for long distances. Drivers bear vehicle expenses and often earn below minimum wage without tips.
- Hair salons and barbershops: 15%–20% of the service cost. Many stylists are booth renters who keep 100% of tips — the tip is their primary variable income.
- Hotel housekeeping: $2–$5 per night, left in a visible location with a note indicating it is for housekeeping. Daily tipping ensures the right person receives it, rather than a single checkout tip.
- Rideshare and taxi: 15%–20% of the fare. Cash tips avoid app processing fees and are always appreciated.
- Bartenders: $1–$2 per drink for simple orders; 15%–20% of the total tab for complex cocktails or table service.
- Spa services: 15%–20% of the treatment cost. Tip in cash when possible so it goes directly to your service provider.
Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Tipping
There is a genuine debate about whether to tip on the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total. Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically the traditional standard — you are rewarding the service, not the government's cut. Tipping on the post-tax total is simpler and has become increasingly common.
The practical difference is very small: on a $60 bill with 8% tax, the difference between 20% pre-tax and 20% post-tax is under a dollar ($12.00 vs. $12.96). Tipping generously matters more than which base you choose.
A Real Bill-Splitting Example
A group of three friends has dinner. The pre-tax bill totals $86.40. They want to tip 18% and split the total evenly:
- Tip amount: $86.40 × 0.18 = $15.55
- Bill + tip: $86.40 + $15.55 = $101.95
- Per person: $101.95 ÷ 3 = $33.98
If they tip on the post-tax total (8% tax = $6.91, post-tax total = $93.31), the 18% tip becomes $16.80 and each person owes $36.70. The per-person difference is about $2.72 — worth knowing, but unlikely to create conflict.