How to use the tip calculator
- Enter the bill total and the tip percent.
- Enter the number of people to split the bill equally.
- Tick round up to make each share a whole dollar. Open More options to base the tip on the pre-tax amount.
- Read the tip, the total and what each person pays.
Formula
Tip = tip base x tip percent / 100 (tip base = bill, or bill minus tax)
Total = bill + tip
Each share = total / people, rounded up to the next cent (or dollar)
Shares are rounded up so that the group always covers the full bill. The calculator shows any extra cents that results from rounding.
Worked example: dinner for three
The bill is $86.40 and you tip 18 percent. Tip: $86.40 x 0.18 = $15.552, which rounds to $15.55. Total: $101.95.
Split three ways, $101.95 / 3 = $33.98333, which rounds up to $33.99 each. Three shares of $33.99 collect $101.97, so the group is 2 cents over.
Rounding up to the next dollar makes each share $34.00, collecting $102.00, which adds $0.05 to the tip.
Tip before or after tax?
Many diners tip on the pre-tax subtotal, and others tip on the total because that is the number on the receipt. Neither is wrong. If you want the pre-tax method, tick the option and enter the tax shown on the bill.
Typical tip ranges
Customs vary by service type and region. Many US diners tip 15 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, though that is a custom and not a rule. Check the bill for an automatic gratuity on large parties before adding your own.
Splitting unevenly
If people ordered very different amounts, split by what each person ordered, then add each person's share of tax and tip based on their subtotal. To do that, run this calculator once per person using their own subtotal.
Assumptions and limits
- The bill is split equally. Unequal splits are not modeled.
- Tip percent can be any number from 0 up.
- A pre-tax tip needs the tax amount, which cannot exceed the bill.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a 20 percent tip quickly?
Move the decimal one place left to get 10 percent, then double it. For $64, 10 percent is $6.40 and 20 percent is $12.80.
Why is the total collected a few cents higher?
Each share is rounded up so the group never falls short. The extra cents stay with the server as a slightly larger tip.
Should I include tax in the tip?
It is a personal choice. Tick the pre-tax option if you prefer to tip on the subtotal.