Tip Calculator
Enter your bill, pick a tip percentage, and split the total between as many people as you like.
How Much Should You Tip?
Tipping customs vary by country and context. In the United States, these are the widely accepted guidelines:
| Service | Typical Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down) | 18–20% | 15% for basic service; 25%+ for exceptional |
| Bar (drinks) | $1–2 per drink or 15–20% | Cocktails typically 20% |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | Tip on pre-discount total |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | 15–20% | Consider rating and distance |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night | Leave daily; staff rotates |
| Hair salon | 15–20% | On the service total |
| Taxi | 15–20% | $1 minimum for short trips |
| Spa / massage | 15–20% | Even if gratuity is included — check the receipt |
How to Calculate a Tip Manually
- Move the decimal point in your bill one place to the left → that's 10%
- Double it → that's 20%
- Adjust up or down from there
Example: $64.50 bill
10% = $6.45 → 20% = $12.90 → 18% ≈ $11.61
Or simply: $64.50 × 0.18 = $11.61 tip, $76.11 total.
Splitting the Bill
When splitting between multiple people, always tip on the full pre-discount amount (before coupons or promotional discounts), and tip on the pre-tax total if you prefer — though in practice most people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity.
Unequal splits: If everyone ordered different amounts, it's fairest to split proportionally rather than equally. Add each person's subtotal, calculate the tip on the full bill, then apply the same tip percentage to each individual subtotal.
Is the Tip Pre-Tax or Post-Tax?
There is no universal rule. Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically more accurate since the service provider did not provide the government's portion. However, the difference on an average restaurant bill is small — on a $60 meal with 8% sales tax, tipping 20% pre-tax vs. post-tax is a difference of about $0.96.
Most people tip on whatever is printed at the bottom of the bill as the subtotal or total — both are acceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tip on the pre-discount price?
Yes. If you have a coupon, gift card, or promotion, tip on the original price before the discount. The staff provided the same level of service regardless of your discount.
Is it rude not to tip?
In the US, tipping is a strong social norm in service industries where workers' wages are structured around receiving tips (tipped minimum wage is $2.13/hr federally). Not tipping is considered very poor etiquette in most sit-down restaurants.
What is a "tipflation" or "tip creep"?
The term refers to the expansion of tip prompts to services and amounts that were not traditionally tipped — fast food counters, retail checkouts, and higher default tip suggestions on payment terminals (25–30%). You are never obligated to tip beyond what you consider fair.
How do I calculate 20% without a calculator?
Divide the bill by 5. $55 ÷ 5 = $11 tip, $66 total.
