Tip Calculator Guide: Calculate Restaurant Tips & Split Bills Easily
A tip calculator computes tips and splits the bill among diners. Enter bill amount, choose a tip percentage, and optionally split by headcount or by individual items to keep it fair and fast at the table.
What is Tip Calculator?
The tip calculator applies a tip rate to the bill (pre- or post-tax), adds any service charge, and divides the total evenly or proportionally. It shows per-person totals and supports rounding rules to keep amounts neat.
How to Use the Tip Calculator
- Enter bill amount and choose pre- or post-tax basis.
- Select tip percent (e.g., 18%, 20%, 22%).
- Add headcount for an even split, or itemize per person.
- Include service charge if present; prevent double tipping.
- Calculate and round per-person totals as desired.
Formulas & Methods
- Tip:
tip = base * (p/100)
wherebase
is pre- or post-tax bill. - Total:
total = bill + tip + service_charge
. - Per-person:
share = total / n
for equal split; otherwise sum each person's items times(1 + tax + tip%)
. - Rounding: adjust cents to nearest or chosen increment; keep total consistent.
Assumptions & limitations
- Tipping customs vary by country and venue.
- Service charges may replace tips; read the receipt.
- Taxes and fees differ by location; input actual numbers for accuracy.
Examples
Example A — Even split
Bill $128.40
, tax $10.27
, tip 18%
on pre-tax $128.40
: tip = 23.11
.
Total = 128.40 + 10.27 + 23.11 = $161. -
approx. Split 4 ways -> about $40.25
each (after rounding).
Example B — Itemized
Alice ordered $22
, Bob $18
, Chris $30
. Tax 8%
, tip 20%
on pre-tax.
Each pays item * (1 + 0.08) * 1.20
with optional rounding.
| Persons | Share (even) | |---|---:| | 2 | $80.50 | | 3 | $53.67 | | 4 | $40.25 |
Pro Tips & Best Practices
- Confirm local customs; in some countries tips are included or not expected.
- Avoid double tipping when a service charge is already added.
- Use pre-tax as your base for consistency within a group.
- Round per-person to whole dollars to speed payment.
- For large groups, check whether gratuity is auto-included.
Related Calculators
FAQ
Q: How do I calculate a tip?
A: Tip = bill * (tip percent/100). Common tips range from 15% to 20%+ in the US.
Q: How do I split the bill fairly?
A: Divide the total (bill + tip) by the number of people, or split unequally based on each person's items.
Q: Do I tip before or after tax?
A: Practices vary; many calculate on pre-tax amount, others on the total.
Q: What about service charges?
A: If a service charge is included, add only additional tip if service exceeded expectations.
Q: How do I handle rounding?
A: Round to the nearest whole dollar for convenience; the calculator can round up/down.
Call to Action
Enter your bill, choose tip percent, and split in seconds—avoid math at the table and settle up fairly.