Bill Splitter Calculator
Split bills easily with tip, tax, and unequal portions
How to Use This Calculator
This bill splitter makes dividing group expenses quick and fair, whether you are at a restaurant, sharing vacation costs, or splitting household bills.
Step 1: Enter the bill subtotal (before tax and tip if those are separate).
Step 2: Enter how many people are splitting the bill. Use the quick buttons for common group sizes.
Step 3: Add tip percentage if applicable. Use the preset buttons or enter a custom amount.
Step 4: Add tax percentage if it's not already included in the bill amount.
Step 5: For unequal splits, enable "Individual Adjustments" and enter plus or minus amounts for people who should pay more or less.
Step 6: Click "Split Bill" and share the results with your group using the copy button.
Understanding Bill Splitting
Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax Tipping
There is ongoing debate about whether to tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount. Traditionally, etiquette guides recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal since the tax goes to the government, not the server. However, many people tip on the total for simplicity. On a $100 bill with 8% tax:
- Pre-tax tip (20%): $100 × 0.20 = $20 tip
- Post-tax tip (20%): $108 × 0.20 = $21.60 tip
The difference is small on individual bills but adds up over time. This calculator lets you choose your preferred method.
When to Use Individual Adjustments
Equal splitting works when everyone ordered similarly priced items. Use adjustments when:
- One person ordered significantly more (steak vs salad)
- Someone does not drink but others ordered bottles of wine
- One person already paid a deposit
- Someone is treating/being treated for a birthday
Example Scenarios
Restaurant Dinner (Canada)
Four friends at dinner: $147.50 bill, 13% HST, 18% tip
- Subtotal: $147.50
- Tax (13%): $19.18
- Tip (18% on pre-tax): $26.55
- Grand Total: $193.23
- Per Person: $48.31
Vacation Rental Split
Six friends renting a cabin for $820. One person paid a $200 deposit.
- Total: $820
- Equal share: $136.67 each
- Person who paid deposit: $136.67 - $200 = -$63.33 (gets paid back)
- Everyone else: $136.67 each
Roommate Groceries
Three roommates sharing $215.40 in groceries equally.
- No tax (already included)
- No tip
- Per Person: $71.80
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to ask to split the bill?
Not at all. Splitting bills is completely normal and expected in most cultures, especially among friends. It is best to mention splitting before ordering so everyone is on the same page. Most restaurants are happy to split checks, and modern payment apps make settling up easy even if the restaurant cannot split the bill.
What if someone forgot their wallet?
Cover them and use a payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Apple Cash to request the money later. This calculator's copy feature makes it easy to share exactly what each person owes. For close friends, keeping a running tab with a notes app works well for frequent outings.
Should I round up or down?
Rounding up is generally friendlier and ensures the bill is fully covered. A few extra cents per person is negligible but rounding down might leave you short. The "round to nearest dollar" option makes mental math easier and typically results in a slightly better tip anyway.
How do I split when some people didn't drink?
The fairest approach is to split food equally and drinks separately. Calculate the total food bill divided by everyone, then add drinks only to those who drank. Use this calculator's individual adjustments to add drink costs to specific people while splitting the food base evenly.
What's a fair tip for large groups?
Many restaurants automatically add 18-20% gratuity for groups of 6 or more. Check your bill for "service charge" or "auto-gratuity" before adding additional tip. For exceptional service with large groups, adding 2-5% on top of auto-gratuity is appreciated since large parties require more coordination.
How do I handle separate checks at restaurants?
Request separate checks at the start of the meal, not after. Servers can track items by seat much more easily when they know from the beginning. If the restaurant cannot do separate checks, one person can pay the full bill and others can pay them back via payment apps.
Tips for Fair Bill Splitting
- Discuss splitting before ordering: This avoids awkward conversations later and lets people order according to their budget.
- Use payment apps: Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, and Apple Cash make settling up instant and keep a record.
- Round up slightly: Covering the extra few cents is easier than chasing pennies.
- Consider a group tab: For frequent dining companions, keep a running balance and settle monthly.
- Be gracious about small differences: If someone's meal was $2 more, it is often not worth itemizing.
- Communicate about alcohol: Drinkers and non-drinkers should agree on splitting drinks separately upfront.
- Factor in special occasions: Birthday person often eats free, with their share divided among others.
Did You Know?
- The phrase "going Dutch" (splitting the bill) originated in the 17th century during Anglo-Dutch rivalry, as a derogatory term for Dutch frugality.
- In some cultures like China and the Middle East, fighting to pay the full bill is a sign of generosity and respect.
- Venmo processes over $60 billion in payments annually, with "splitting dinner" being one of the most common transaction notes.
- Studies show people spend 20-30% more when dining in groups versus alone, partly because they are not tracking individual costs.
- The average American tips 19.4% at restaurants, up from 18% a decade ago.