Tip Calculator
Calculate a fair tip at restaurants, bars, and for services — and split the bill evenly among any number of people.
Or use the standard form below
What is a tip calculator?
A tip calculator works out the gratuity on a bill from a percentage you choose, adds it to the total, and splits the result evenly among your party. Enter the bill amount, the tip percentage and the number of people above, and all three figures update instantly.
In the United States tipping is not a bonus — it is how servers, bartenders, delivery drivers and many other service workers earn most of their income. Federal law lets employers pay tipped workers a cash wage of just $2.13 an hour, on the assumption that tips lift them to at least the $7.25 minimum. That is why a 15%–20% tip is expected, not optional, in a sit-down restaurant, and why leaving nothing is read as a complaint about the service.
Quick tip chart
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 22% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $24.75 | $3.71 | $4.46 | $4.95 | $5.45 |
| $50.00 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $11.00 |
| $64.50 | $9.68 | $11.61 | $12.90 | $14.19 |
| $120.00 | $18.00 | $21.60 | $24.00 | $26.40 |
| $200.00 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $44.00 |
How much to tip in the U.S., by service
| Service | Customary tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18%–20% | 15% is the floor for adequate service; 20%+ for very good service or large groups |
| Buffet | 10% | Servers still clear plates and refill drinks |
| Bar | $1–$2 per drink or 15%–20% of the tab | More for elaborate cocktails |
| Food delivery | 15%–20%, minimum $3–$5 | More in bad weather or for long distances; app "service fees" usually do not go to the driver |
| Takeout / counter service | 0%–10% | Optional; tipping on the screen is appreciated but not expected |
| Taxi / rideshare | 10%–20% | Round up on short rides |
| Hairdresser / barber | 15%–20% | Tip assistants (shampoo, colour) $3–$5 separately |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–$5 per night | Leave it daily with a note; staff rotate |
| Bellhop / valet | $1–$2 per bag / $2–$5 at pickup | Cash |
| Movers | $20–$50 per mover | More for stairs, heavy items or a full day |
| Massage / spa | 15%–20% | Check whether a gratuity is already added |
Pre-tax or after-tax?
Etiquette guides say tip on the pre-tax subtotal — tax is a government charge, not a measure of service. In practice most Americans tip on the total, and card terminals almost always calculate suggested tips on the after-tax amount. The difference is small (about $1 on a $60 bill at 8% tax) and always welcome, so tip on whichever you prefer and do not agonise over it.
Automatic gratuity and "service charges"
Many restaurants add an automatic 18%–20% gratuity for parties of six or more; it will be printed on the check, and you are not expected to tip on top of it unless service was exceptional. A service charge, on the other hand, is not necessarily a tip — the restaurant may keep some or all of it. If the bill shows a service charge and no gratuity, ask whether it goes to staff before adding more.
Formula
- Tip = bill × tip percentage ÷ 100
- Total = bill + tip
- Per person = total ÷ number of people
To do it in your head: 10% is the bill with the decimal point moved one place left; 20% is double that; 15% is 10% plus half of 10%. On $64.50, 10% is $6.45, so 20% is $12.90 and 15% is $9.68.
Worked example
Four friends share a $120 dinner and want to leave 20%:
- Tip = 120 × 20 ÷ 100 = $24.00
- Total = 120 + 24 = $144.00
- Per person = 144 ÷ 4 = $36.00
A $64.50 bill for two at 18%: tip $11.61, total $76.11, or $38.06 each.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the bill amount — the pre-tax subtotal if you prefer to tip on that, or the total.
- Set the tip percentage. 18% is the U.S. restaurant default; use the chart above for other services.
- Enter how many people are splitting the bill.
- Read the tip, the grand total and the per-person share. Round the per-person figure up to a whole dollar if you are paying cash.
Splitting fairly when orders differ
An even split is fine when everyone ordered similarly. When one person had three cocktails and another had a salad, split the food by what each person ordered, then apply the same tip percentage to each share — the calculator handles this if you run it once per person with their own subtotal. Most payment apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App) make the transfers painless.
Related tools
- Sales tax calculator — find the pre-tax subtotal from a receipt total
- Percentage calculator — any percentage problem
- Discount calculator — price after a coupon or sale
Frequently asked questions
What is a standard tip in U.S. restaurants?
Fifteen to twenty percent of the bill, with 18%–20% now the norm in most cities. Tip 15% for adequate service, 20% for good service, and more for exceptional service or when a server has handled a large or difficult table. Below 15% signals a problem — if service was genuinely poor, speak to a manager rather than silently under-tipping.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or after-tax amount?
Either is acceptable. Etiquette experts say the pre-tax subtotal, because tax is not part of the service; most people and most card readers use the after-tax total. On a $60 check with 8% sales tax the difference at 20% is about $1. Tipping on the total is the more generous convention and never wrong.
How much should I tip a delivery driver?
Fifteen to twenty percent of the food cost, with a floor of $3–$5 for small orders. Add more for bad weather, long distances, large orders or stairs. Note that the "delivery fee" and "service fee" on DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub generally go to the platform or restaurant, not the driver — the tip line is what the driver keeps.
Is it rude not to tip in the U.S.?
In a sit-down restaurant, bar, or for a delivery, yes — the worker's pay is built around tips, and leaving nothing is taken as a deliberate statement. Tipping is optional at counters and for takeout, and in the few restaurants that advertise a no-tipping, service-included model. When in doubt, tip.
Do I tip on top of an automatic gratuity?
No. If the check shows "gratuity" or "auto-grat" of 18%–20% (common for parties of six or more), the tip has been added and you owe nothing further, though some people add a few dollars for outstanding service. A "service charge" is different: ask whether it goes to the staff, because restaurants may keep it.
Are tips taxable income?
Yes — servers must report tips, and employers withhold Social Security, Medicare and income tax on them. Under the 2025 federal tax law, workers in customarily tipped occupations can deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips a year from their federal taxable income for tax years 2025 through 2028, subject to income limits; the tips are still reported and still subject to payroll taxes. Check current IRS guidance for the details.
How do I split a bill with tip between people?
Add the tip to the bill, then divide by the number of people: on a $120 bill with a 20% tip the total is $144, or $36 each for four. If people ordered very different amounts, split the subtotal by what each person had and apply the same tip percentage to each share.