Settle the Check in Seconds — Without the Awkward Math
The check arrives, someone asks “so what do we tip?” — and suddenly a nice evening turns into a math debate. This free tip calculator does the whole job in seconds: enter your bill amount, tap a tip percentage, and set the number of people. You instantly get the tip amount, the total bill, and exactly what each person owes.
The short answer for the U.S.: 18 to 20% at sit-down restaurants, 15 to 20% for delivery and bars, and $1 to $5 for the quick services in between. Twenty percent has quietly become the new default for good sit-down service, while 15% is the floor for acceptable service. It works for restaurants, bars, food delivery, taxis, and anywhere else a tip is expected — no signup, no app download, right in your browser at the table.
Results round to the nearest cent. By custom, tip on the pre-tax subtotal; some restaurants add an automatic service charge — check the bill first so you don't tip twice.
How to Use the Tip Calculator
- Enter the bill amount. Type the subtotal from your receipt — the pre-tax amount. Tip on this number, not the taxed total.
- Pick a tip percentage. Tap 15%, 18%, 20%, or 25% — or type any custom percentage and drag the slider. In the U.S., 18–20% is the modern standard for good restaurant service.
- Set the number of people. If you’re splitting the bill, enter how many are paying. Leave it at 1 for the whole-table total.
- Tap Calculate — or just watch, since the results update live as you change any input.
- Read your results. The total bill shows up big at the top; below it you’ll see the tip amount, each person’s total share, and each person’s share of the tip.
What Is a Good Tip? (U.S. Guide)
There is no single “correct” tip — it depends on the service and where you are. But for the United States, the expectations are well established:
| Service | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant, waiter/waitress | 18–20% (15% minimum) |
| Bar, bartender | $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of the tab |
| Food delivery | 15–20%, or $3–5 minimum on small orders |
| Coffee shop barista | $1–2, or round up |
| Taxi / rideshare | 15–20% |
| Hair stylist / barber | 15–20% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night |
| Bellhop, valet | $1–5 per service |
Below 15% at a restaurant signals something was genuinely wrong — in which case a polite word with the manager is usually more useful than a stiffed server.
The Tip Formula (With a Worked Example)
Total bill = Bill amount + Tip amount
Each person’s share = Total bill ÷ Number of people
Worked example: Four friends split an $80 restaurant bill and want to leave a 20% tip.
- Tip amount = $80 × 0.20 = $16.00
- Total bill = $80 + $16 = $96.00
- Each person’s share = $96 ÷ 4 = $24.00 (with $4.00 of that being tip per person)
That’s exactly what the tool above computes. And for mental math when your phone stays in your pocket, learn the 10% anchor: move the decimal point one place left ($4.20 on a $42 bill). For 15%, add half of that ($2.10) → $6.30. For 20%, double the 10% ($8.40). Fast enough to do at the table.
Tipping Etiquette Tips
- Tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Tipping on the taxed total means you’re effectively tipping on the tax itself — on big bills, that noticeably inflates the tip.
- Check for an automatic service charge first. Many restaurants add 18–20% automatically for parties of 6 or more. Look at the receipt before tipping on top — you don’t want to tip twice.
- Tip on the full value, not the discounted price. If an $80 meal is discounted to $60, the generous standard is to tip on the original $80 — the work was the same.
- Cash tips still matter. Credit-card tips work fine, but cash goes straight into the server’s pocket with no processing fees taken out.
- Takeout is optional territory. No one expects a full 20% on a counter pickup — 10%, or a dollar or two, is plenty and always appreciated.
- Tip delivery drivers before fees and taxes. Delivery and service fees on apps go to the platform, not the driver — base the tip on the food subtotal.
More Financial Tools
Tipping by Service Type
The table above gives the rates; here is how they play out away from the restaurant table:
- Bars. $1–2 per drink per round; on a running tab, 15–20% of the total.
- Food delivery. 15–20% of the food subtotal, $3–5 minimum on small orders. Bad weather or a big order argues for the top of the range — app fees go to the platform, not your driver.
- Taxis and rideshares. 15–20% of the fare, plus a couple of dollars for help with bags.
- Salons and barbers. 15–20% to your stylist; a separate $3–5 if someone else shampooed your hair.
- Hotels. Housekeeping $2–5 per night, left daily (staff rotate). Bellhops $1–2 per bag; valet $2–5 when the car returns.
Two rules apply everywhere: tip on the pre-tax subtotal, and check whether a service charge was already added.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate a 15% tip?
Multiply the bill by 0.15. Quick trick: find 10% by moving the decimal point one place left, then add half of that. On a $40 bill: 10% is $4.00, half is $2.00, so 15% is $6.00.
How much should I tip on a $100 bill?
The standard range is $15 (15%) to $20 (20%) for restaurant service. Twenty percent — $20 on a $100 bill — is the modern default for good service in the U.S.
Should I tip before or after tax?
Before tax. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal shown on your receipt. Tipping on the taxed total means you’re effectively tipping on the tax itself.
How do I split a bill evenly between 4 people?
Add the tip to the bill to get the total, then divide by the number of people. With an $80 bill and 20% tip: $96 total ÷ 4 = $24 per person. The calculator above does this automatically.
What is a good tip percentage?
For U.S. sit-down restaurants, 18–20% is now the expected range for good service, with 15% as the acceptable floor. For delivery, 15–20% (or a $3–5 minimum) is standard. Adjust up for exceptional service.
Is it rude to not tip 20%?
Not inherently — 15% is still perfectly respectable for adequate service. But consistently tipping below 15% at a full-service restaurant signals dissatisfaction; if the service was poor, speaking to the manager is more constructive than shorting the tip.
Do you tip on tax and fees?
No. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Delivery and service fees on apps go to the platform, not the driver, so base the tip on the food subtotal.
What if the restaurant adds a service charge?
Then you’ve already tipped. A service charge (usually 18–20% for large parties) goes to the staff — don’t add a full tip on top unless you want to reward exceptional service with extra.
How much should I tip for food delivery?
Tip 15–20% of the food subtotal, with a $3–5 minimum on small orders. Delivery and service fees charged by apps go to the platform, not the driver, so base the tip on the food total before fees and tax.
Do you tip at coffee shops and takeout counters?
It is optional rather than expected. A dollar or two in the tip jar, or rounding up on the card reader, is a kind gesture for counter service, but there is no obligation to tip 15–20% as you would for table service.
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