Key facts
- Computes the tip, total bill and per-person share in one step.
- Tip = bill × tip% ÷ 100; each person pays (bill + tip) ÷ people.
- 20% is the baseline for good service in the US and Canada in 2026 (full-service average 19.3% per Toast POS data); 18% decent, 15% acceptable for average service. Customs differ elsewhere.
- Rounding each share up to a whole number makes settling up painless.
No more awkward phone-math at the restaurant table. This free tip calculator adds the tip to your bill and splits the total fairly between everyone — showing the tip amount, the grand total and exactly what each person owes.
Enter the bill, set the tip percentage and the number of people. The maths updates instantly, so you can compare 15% vs 20% before the waiter returns.
Quick answer: A tip is a gratuity for service, computed as bill times tip percent over 100. Restaurants commonly expect 18 to 20 percent for good service in 2026 — Toast point-of-sale data puts the full-service average at 19.3% — with 15 percent acceptable for average service. Delivery runs 15 to 20 percent. To split fairly, add the tip to the bill first, then divide by the number of people. In the US it is customary to tip on the pre-tax amount.
Last reviewed: October 2026
How to use
- Enter the bill amount.
- Set the tip percentage (15–20% is standard in many countries).
- Enter the number of people splitting.
- See the total and per-person share instantly.
Tip formulas
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| bill | The pre-tip total on the check. |
| tip% | The gratuity percentage you choose. |
| people | How many ways the total is split (must be at least 1). |
Per-person amounts are shown to the cent; rounding each share up slightly guarantees the bill is covered.
Worked examples
Dinner for two
$85 bill, 15% tip, 2 people: tip = 85 × 0.15 = $12.75; total = $97.75.
Each pays 97.75 ÷ 2 = $48.88 (rounded to cents).
Group dinner
$120 bill, 18% tip, 4 people: tip = 120 × 0.18 = $21.60; total = $141.60.
Each pays 141.60 ÷ 4 = $35.40 exactly — no coins needed.
Standard tipping guide
| Service | Typical tip | On $80 bill |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (good service) | 18–20% | $14.40–$16.00 |
| Restaurant (standard) | 15% | $12.00 |
| Bar (per drink) | $1–2 per drink | $4–8 for 4 drinks |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | $12.00–$16.00 |
| Takeaway counter | 0–10% (optional) | $0–$8.00 |
Customs vary by country — Japan and South Korea, for example, generally do not expect tips. Check local norms when travelling.
Frequently asked questions
What is a standard tip percentage?
20% is the baseline for good service in the US and Canada in 2026 — Toast point-of-sale data puts the full-service average at 19.3% — with 18% decent and 15% acceptable for average service. Customs differ elsewhere — check local norms when travelling.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Traditionally on the pre-tax amount, though most people simply tip on the total shown. The difference is usually small: on an $80 bill with 8% tax, 20% on the pre-tax $80 is $16.00, while 20% on the post-tax $86.40 is $17.28.
How do I split a bill when people ordered different things?
Split shared items evenly and assign individual items to each person, then add tip proportionally — or use the per-person figure as a fair average.
Should I tip for bad service?
A reduced tip (around 10%) signals dissatisfaction more clearly than zero in cultures where tipping is expected; speaking to the manager helps more.
How do I quickly estimate 20%?
Move the decimal one place left for 10%, then double it: 20% of $85 is $8.50 × 2 = $17.
Do I tip on the sale price or the original price?
Tip on the full pre-discount price — the server did the same work. If an $80 meal drops to $50 after a promotion, tip as though it were still $80: 20% = $16. (Our Discount Calculator checks whether the deal itself was real.)
Should I check for auto-gratuity?
Yes, for large parties. Many restaurants add an automatic 18–20% service charge for groups of 6 or more — read the bill before adding an extra tip on top.
Sources
- NerdWallet — Tipping etiquette and calculations
- IRS — Reporting tip income
- Toast — 2026 restaurant tipping-trends data (full-service average 19.3%)
Key takeaways
- Tip = bill × %; split total ÷ people for each share.
- 20% baseline for good service (18% decent, 15% average) — adjust for local custom.
- Round shares up to whole amounts to settle the bill cleanly.
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