Tip calculator

How to calculate a tip

To calculate a tip, multiply the bill by the tip percentage as a decimal. An 18 percent tip on $85 is 85 times 0.18, which is $15.30, making the total $100.30.

The fastest mental method is to find 10 percent by moving the decimal one place to the left, then adjust. Ten percent of $85 is $8.50. Half of that is $4.25, so 15 percent is $12.75. Double the 10 percent for 20 percent, which is $17.

How much to tip

In the US, 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is standard for table service, and 18 percent is a common middle default. Counter service, coffee, and takeaway sit lower, usually between 0 and 10 percent. Tipping culture differs sharply outside the US, where service is more often included, so treat these as US figures rather than universal ones.

Splitting the tip between people

An even split works when everyone ordered roughly the same. Set the number of people above and the calculator divides the total for you, with the option to round each person up so the cash actually covers the bill.

When orders were uneven, an even split quietly overcharges whoever ate least. The split bill calculator handles that: each person pays for what they ordered, with tip and tax added in proportion. For a whole trip rather than one meal, use the trip expense calculator, or see all expense splitting calculators.

Common questions

How do you calculate a tip?

Multiply the bill by the tip percentage as a decimal. For an 18 percent tip on $85, multiply 85 by 0.18 to get $15.30, making the total $100.30. For a quick mental estimate, take 10 percent by moving the decimal one place left, then halve it again for 15 percent.

How much should you tip at a restaurant?

In the US, 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is standard for sit-down restaurant service, with 18 percent a common default. Counter service and takeaway are usually 0 to 10 percent. Tipping norms vary widely by country, so these figures apply to the US.

Do you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?

Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the standard US convention and what most calculators default to. Tipping on the post-tax total costs slightly more. On a typical restaurant bill the difference is under a dollar per person, so either is perfectly acceptable.

How do you split a tip between people?

Add the tip to the bill, then divide the total by the number of people. On an $85 bill with an 18 percent tip, the total is $100.30, so four people pay about $25.08 each. If orders differed a lot, splitting by what each person ordered is fairer than an even split.

What is 20 percent of a bill?

Twenty percent is one fifth of the bill. Divide by 5, or take 10 percent by moving the decimal one place left and then double it. Twenty percent of $85 is $17. Twenty percent of $60 is $12. This is the quickest tip percentage to work out in your head.