Tip Calculator

Tipping is arithmetic with a social dimension, and the two things people get wrong are the base and the split. A tip is normally calculated on the pre-tax subtotal rather than the total, and when a group splits the bill, each person owes their share of the tip as well as of the food. This calculator handles both, showing the tip, the total and the per-person amounts.

The percentages carry conventions. In the United States, 15% is the traditional baseline for adequate table service, 18% to 20% is now standard in many cities, and 20% or more signals excellent service. Delivery and counter service follow different norms, and for large parties many restaurants add an automatic gratuity of 18% to 20%, in which case the printed total already includes it.

The tax question is worth a moment. States and cities levy sales tax on food, and tipping on the taxed amount rather than the food alone gives the server a slightly larger tip for no reason other than a calculation choice. Most guides recommend tipping on the pretax amount, which this calculator does when you enter the subtotal; if you enter the post-tax total, the tip is computed on that instead.

For splitting, the simplest fair approach is to divide the total, tip included, by the number of people, which is what this tool does. If orders differed greatly in price, a per-person breakdown would be fairer but needs each person's order. Either way, the per-person figure here is a working number you can round up for convenience.

This calculator is an educational estimator. It is not financial, medical, tax, or legal advice, and it does not account for fees, local rules, or your personal circumstances. Confirm decisions with a qualified professional.