Tip Calculator

How Tip Calculation Works

Tipping is calculated as a percentage of your pre-tax bill amount. To find the tip, multiply the bill by the tip percentage divided by 100. For example, a 20% tip on an $85 bill is $85 x 0.20 = $17.00, making the total $102.00. When splitting the bill, divide the total (bill plus tip) by the number of people.

In the United States, 15-20% is standard for sit-down restaurants, while 18-25% is common for excellent service. Many diners round up to a convenient number for simplicity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?

Etiquette experts generally agree you should tip on the pre-tax subtotal. The tax goes to the government, not the server. However, tipping on the post-tax total is also common and results in only a slightly higher amount. Either approach is acceptable.

What is a good tip percentage for different services?

For sit-down restaurants, 18-20% is standard. For delivery drivers, 15-20% or at least $3-5 is typical. For hair stylists, 15-20% is customary. For taxi or rideshare drivers, 15-20% is common. Buffet service usually warrants 10-15% since the serving staff does less table work.

How do I split the bill fairly when people ordered different things?

The simplest approach is to split the total evenly, which works best when everyone ordered similarly priced items. If there are significant differences, ask for separate checks or have each person calculate their subtotal plus a proportional share of the tip. Many restaurants will split the check if asked.