A fair tip without the napkin maths
The bill lands, someone asks "what is 18% of that?", and the table goes quiet. This tip calculator answers in the time it takes to type the total. It gives you the tip, the full amount to pay, and how much each person owes if you are splitting it.
You can also tip on the amount before tax, which many people prefer, and round each share up to a whole number so nobody is fishing for coins.
Using the tip calculator
- Type the bill total as it appears on the receipt.
- Set the tip percent. Common choices are 15, 18 and 20.
- Enter how many people are paying. Leave it at 1 if you are paying alone.
- If you want to tip on the food and drink only, enter the tax shown on the bill.
- Choose exact shares or rounded ones, and read what each person pays.
How the tip is worked out
tip = bill × tip percent ÷ 100
total = bill + tip
each share = total ÷ number of peopleWhen you enter the tax, the tip is worked out on the bill minus the tax, and the tax is still included in the total you pay. Shares are rounded up to the next cent, so the money on the table always covers the bill. If you choose to round each share up to a whole amount, the extra goes to the tip, and the answer shows how much the tip became.
Worked example: dinner for two
Two friends have a bill of $86.40 and want to leave 18%.
- Tip: 18% of $86.40 = $15.552, which rounds to $15.55
- Total: $86.40 + $15.55 = $101.95
- Each person: $101.95 ÷ 2 = $50.975, rounded up to $50.98
Each friend pays $50.98. The extra half cent each is the price of an even split. Choose the rounding option and each share becomes $51.00, which makes the total tip $15.60.
Tip amounts at a glance
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 |
A quick mental check: 10% is the bill with the decimal point moved one place left, so 20% is that doubled and 15% is that plus half again. On $86.40, 10% is $8.64 and 20% is $17.28.
Small things that throw the total off
- Tipping on a total that already includes a service charge. Check the receipt; some places add one for larger groups.
- Splitting evenly when orders were very different. If one person had three courses and the other had a coffee, an even split may not feel fair. Work out each share separately instead.
- Forgetting the tax. Tipping on the total after tax is common and perfectly fine, but it does make the tip a little bigger.
- Customs vary. A 15% to 20% tip is normal at sit-down restaurants in the US, while in many other countries a smaller tip, or none, is expected. Go with what is normal where you are.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip?
It depends on where you are and the service. In US restaurants, 15% to 20% of the bill is usual, with 18% a common middle choice. Many other countries expect less, or include service in the bill. Set the percent you want and the calculator shows the tip in money, so you can adjust it to something that feels right.
Should I tip on the amount before or after tax?
Either is acceptable. Tipping on the pre-tax amount is the traditional way, because tax is not part of the service. Tipping on the total is simpler and a little more generous. To tip before tax here, enter the tax from your receipt in the optional box and the tip is worked out on the rest.
How do I split a bill with a tip between friends?
Add the tip to the bill, then divide by the number of people. With a $120 bill, a 20% tip and 4 people, the total is $144 and each person pays $36. Enter the number of people and the calculator shows each share, rounded up to the cent so the bill is fully covered.
What is 20% of a bill?
Move the decimal point one place to the left and double the result. For a $64 bill, 10% is $6.40, so 20% is $12.80. For a quick 15%, take the 10% figure and add half of it again: $6.40 plus $3.20 is $9.60. The table above lists common bills and tips.
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