Tip Calculator
Split a restaurant bill and calculate the tip, per person, in seconds.
What this calculator does
Calculates the tip on a restaurant bill and splits the total evenly between however many people are paying, so nobody has to do the math at the table.
Who this is for
Groups splitting a restaurant bill, anyone unsure what percentage to tip in a given situation, or travelers checking local tipping norms before dining out — especially useful for people visiting the US from countries with different (or no) tipping culture.
How this calculator works
Tip is calculated on the pre-tax bill amount by default — the way most etiquette guides recommend, since tipping on tax varies by personal preference.
The formula
Tip amount = Bill × (Tip% ÷ 100). Total per person = (Bill + Tip amount) ÷ Number of people.
Worked example
A $60 bill with an 18% tip split between 2 people: Tip = 60 × 0.18 = $10.80. Total = $60 + $10.80 = $70.80, split two ways = $35.40 per person.
Tipping Norms Around the World
| Country | Restaurant Tipping Norm |
|---|---|
| United States | 15-20% expected; many service workers rely on tips as a meaningful part of income |
| United Kingdom | 10-15% appreciated but not obligatory; often already included as a "service charge" on the bill |
| Japan | Not customary and can be perceived as awkward or even mildly insulting — excellent service is considered standard, not something requiring extra payment |
| France | Service is legally included in the bill price ("service compris"); a small extra amount for exceptional service is optional, not expected |
| Australia | Not traditionally expected, though rounding up or a small tip for excellent service has become more common in recent years |
The US stands out internationally for how central tipping is to service-industry income and how strongly the 15-20% norm is expected — travelers from most other countries are often surprised by how much of a social expectation it is, rather than a purely optional gesture.
Where your total goes
Run the calculator above to see the bill vs. tip split of your total.
Common mistakes
- Tipping on the post-tax total without meaning to. Standard US etiquette bases the tip on the pre-tax subtotal — check your receipt if a card machine suggests tip percentages, since some calculate off the post-tax total.
- Forgetting large-party auto-gratuity. Many restaurants automatically add 18-20% gratuity for parties of 6+ — check your bill before adding an extra tip on top.
- Splitting unevenly without accounting for it. This calculator assumes an even split; if people ordered very differently, divide by item cost instead of a flat per-person split.
- Applying US tipping percentages abroad. Tipping norms vary hugely by country — some places expect 15-20%, others consider tipping unnecessary or even slightly awkward. Check local custom before assuming the US rate applies.
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Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Most US etiquette guides recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, which is what this calculator uses by default — though tipping on the post-tax total isn't wrong, just slightly more generous.
Is tipping expected everywhere in the world?
No — it varies hugely by country. It's central to service-industry income in the US (15-20% expected), optional or already included in the UK and France, and can even be seen as unnecessary or mildly awkward in Japan.
What's a standard tip percentage in the US?
15-20% is the typical range for sit-down restaurant service in the US, with 18-20% common for good service. Some venues, especially for large parties, add gratuity automatically — check your bill first.
How do I split a bill unevenly?
This calculator assumes an even split across everyone. For an uneven split based on what each person ordered, calculate each person's share of the subtotal first, then apply the same tip percentage to each share individually.