Settle the bill in seconds: enter the total, choose a tip percentage and the number of people. You’ll see the tip, the total and exactly how much each person pays – with an option to round shares up to a whole amount.
How much should you tip?
| Service | Typical tip (US) |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% (15% for basic service) |
| Bar | $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of the tab |
| Food delivery | 15–20%, at least $3–5 |
| Taxi / rideshare | 15–20% |
| Hair salon / barber | 15–20% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night |
Tipping customs differ widely: in the UK a 10–12.5% service charge is often already on the bill, in India 5–10% is common at restaurants, and in Japan tipping is generally not expected.
Quick mental math
- 10%: move the decimal one place left ($64.00 → $6.40).
- 20%: double the 10% figure ($12.80).
- 15%: 10% plus half of it ($6.40 + $3.20 = $9.60).
Tip before or after tax?
Etiquette guides usually suggest tipping on the pre-tax amount, but many people tip on the total for simplicity. Enter whichever amount you prefer.
Tip amounts at a glance
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $40 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| $60 | $9.00 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $15.00 |
| $80 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
Tipping around the world
- United States: 18–20% is now standard for table service; servers are often paid a low base wage and rely on tips.
- Canada: 15–20% is typical, calculated on the pre-tax amount.
- United Kingdom: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.
- Europe: service is often included. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is common in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
- Australia: tipping is optional; 10% for great service is generous.
- India: 5–10% at sit-down restaurants; a service charge on the bill is voluntary under consumer guidelines.
Splitting fairly
An even split is easiest, but not always fair. If one person ordered a much bigger meal or drinks, split by subtotal: work out each person’s share of the pre-tax bill, then apply the same tip and tax percentage to each share. Payment apps can then request the exact amount from each friend.
Group bills and automatic gratuity
Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity (often 18–20%) for large groups of six or more. Check the bill before adding a tip so you don’t tip twice.
Real-life scenarios
- Dinner with friends: Four friends share a $148.60 bill and want to tip 20%. The tip is $29.72, the total $178.32, and each person pays $44.58 – or $45 each with rounding, leaving a little extra for the server.
- Coffee run for the office: A $36 order with a 15% tip comes to $41.40. Split six ways, that’s $6.90 a person.
- Travelling abroad: In London, a £92 bill already includes a 12.5% service charge, so no extra tip is needed. In Toronto, a C$120 dinner with an 18% tip on the pre-tax amount adds C$21.60.
- Delivery: A $27 pizza order with a 15% tip is about $4 – many people round up to $5 for bad weather or long distances.
Why people tip differently
In the US, tipped workers can be paid a lower base wage, so tips make up a large share of their income – which is why 18–20% has become standard. In countries where service staff receive a full wage, tipping is smaller and more about rewarding great service. When in doubt, look at the bill for a service charge and ask locals what’s customary.
Related calculators
- Percentage calculator – any percentage of any amount
- Hourly to salary – convert wages
- Overtime pay – time and a half and double time
FAQs
Should I tip on takeout?
It’s optional. Many people leave 10% for large or complicated orders, and nothing for a simple counter pickup.
Do you tip on the total with tax?
Etiquette says pre-tax, but tipping on the total is common and appreciated.
How do I split unevenly?
Run the calculator for each person’s subtotal with the same tip percentage.
Why does the rounded total differ from the bill?
Rounding each share up means the group pays slightly more – a small extra tip for the server.