Tip Calculator
Calculate tip amounts and split bills easily between any number of people
How to Use This Calculator
This tip calculator makes it easy to determine the right tip amount for any bill. Start by entering your total bill amount in the first field. Next, select your desired tip percentage using the quick buttons (10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, or 25%) or use the slider to choose a custom percentage between 0% and 50%. If you are splitting the bill with others, enter the number of people sharing the cost.
The calculator instantly displays three key figures: the tip amount, the total bill including tip, and the per-person cost when splitting. All values update in real time as you adjust inputs, making it easy to compare different tip percentages before deciding.
Common mistakes to avoid: Do not forget to check whether tax is already included in the bill amount you enter. When splitting, remember that the calculator divides the total evenly, so if one person ordered significantly more, you may want to calculate their share separately. Also, avoid using this calculator for bills that already include a service charge, as that would result in double-tipping.
Understanding Tipping in America
Tipping in America has a fascinating and somewhat controversial history. The practice originated in European aristocracy during the 17th century, where wealthy patrons would give extra money to servants for exceptional service. American travelers brought the custom back from Europe after the Civil War, and it gradually spread throughout the service industry.
Initially, many Americans opposed tipping as anti-democratic and un-American. Critics argued it created a servant class and encouraged inequality. Some states even passed anti-tipping laws in the early 1900s. However, Prohibition in the 1920s changed everything. When alcohol sales were banned, restaurants lost their primary revenue source and began relying on customer tips to subsidize server wages. This shift cemented tipping as an integral part of American dining culture.
Today, tipping is essential because of how the American wage system works. Federal law allows employers to pay tipped workers just $2.13 per hour, with the expectation that tips will bring their earnings above minimum wage. This means servers, bartenders, and other tipped workers depend on gratuities for the majority of their income. For many service workers, tips represent 60-80% of their total earnings, making your generosity directly impact their livelihood.
Regional differences also influence tipping expectations. In large coastal cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, 20% is considered the baseline for adequate service, with 25% or more for excellent service. In smaller towns and rural areas, 15-18% remains more common. Cultural factors play a role too. Some immigrant communities come from countries where tipping is rare or considered rude, creating occasional misunderstandings. Meanwhile, the ongoing debate about abolishing tipping in favor of higher base wages continues, with some restaurants experimenting with no-tip policies and service charges instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
The standard tip for restaurant service in the United States is 15-20% of your pre-tax bill. Tip 15% for satisfactory service, 18% for good service, and 20% or more for excellent service. In major metropolitan areas, 20% has become the expected baseline. If your server went above and beyond, such as accommodating special requests, handling a difficult situation gracefully, or providing exceptionally attentive service, consider tipping 22-25%.
Should I tip on pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Traditionally, tips are calculated on the pre-tax bill amount because sales tax goes to the government, not the restaurant or server. However, calculating on the post-tax total has become increasingly common due to convenience. The difference is typically minimal. For example, on a $100 bill with 8% tax, the difference between tipping 20% pre-tax ($20) and post-tax ($21.60) is only $1.60. Either approach is socially acceptable.
How much to tip for takeout vs delivery?
For takeout, tipping is optional but appreciated. If you do tip, 10-15% is appropriate, especially for large or complex orders. For delivery, 15-20% is standard, with a minimum of $3-5 for small orders. Delivery drivers use their own vehicles, pay for gas, and navigate traffic to bring food to your door, so their tips should reflect this extra effort. Consider tipping more during bad weather, for deliveries to upper floors without elevators, or for orders with many items.
What if the service was poor?
Even with poor service, leaving at least 10% is generally advisable. Service issues are often beyond your server's control, such as kitchen delays, understaffing, or management policies. If your server was genuinely rude, neglectful, or made serious errors they could have prevented, you might reduce the tip to 10%. Leaving nothing should be reserved for truly egregious situations. Consider speaking to a manager about serious issues rather than simply leaving no tip, as this provides an opportunity for improvement.
Do I tip on alcohol separately?
No, you typically tip on the entire bill including alcoholic beverages. Servers are responsible for taking drink orders, delivering them promptly, and ensuring you have refills. Some people tip slightly higher on bills with expensive wine or craft cocktails because these require more knowledge and care to serve properly. The one exception is if you ordered drinks at a bar before being seated, in which case you would have already tipped the bartender separately.
How do I tip for large groups?
Many restaurants automatically add an 18-20% gratuity for parties of 6-8 or more people. Always check your bill before adding an additional tip. If no gratuity is included, 18-20% is appropriate for large parties because serving many guests simultaneously requires extra coordination and effort. When splitting the bill, use this calculator to determine the total with tip, then divide by the number of people. You can also have each person calculate their individual portion and add their own tip.
Should I tip with cash or card?
Both are acceptable, but many servers prefer cash tips. Cash is received immediately rather than waiting for a paycheck, and servers have more flexibility in how they report it. Some restaurants distribute credit card tips only once or twice per month. If you want to ensure your server receives the full tip amount without any processing fees deducted, cash is the better option. However, credit card tips are convenient and increasingly common.
How much to tip at a bar?
For bar service, the standard is $1-2 per drink for simple pours like beer or wine, and 15-20% of the total tab for cocktails or complex orders. If the bartender makes multiple craft cocktails, provides recommendations, or offers exceptional service during a busy night, tip toward the higher end. For bottle service at clubs or special events, 18-20% of the total bill is expected. If you are running a tab, tip on the final total rather than per drink.
Tipping Examples
Restaurant Dining Scenario
You and three friends enjoy a nice dinner at a local restaurant. The bill comes to $85 before tax. The service was good, so you decide on an 18% tip. Using this calculator: the tip comes to $15.30, making the total bill $100.30. Split four ways, each person pays $25.08. For easier math, you might round up to $25.25 or $25.50 per person, which slightly increases the tip but makes splitting simpler.
Food Delivery Scenario
You order $32 worth of food for delivery through a delivery app. It is a regular evening with good weather. A standard 18% tip would be $5.76. However, since the minimum recommended tip for delivery is $4-5, you might round up to $6 for a total of $38. If the weather were bad or the driver had to climb several flights of stairs, you might increase to 20-25%, or about $7-8, to acknowledge the extra effort.
Salon or Spa Scenario
You visit a salon for a haircut and color treatment totaling $120. The stylist did an excellent job interpreting what you wanted and provided great conversation throughout. A 20% tip is appropriate, which comes to $24, for a total of $144. If multiple service providers worked on you, such as a colorist and a stylist, you should tip each person separately based on the portion of work they performed. Many salons can split your tip at checkout if you pay by card.
Tipping Etiquette Tips
- Tip more for exceptional service: When servers accommodate dietary restrictions, handle special occasions like birthdays, manage difficult situations, or provide personalized recommendations, recognize their extra effort with a tip of 22-25% or more.
- Understand the wage context: Service industry workers in most states earn a base wage of $2.13-$5 per hour. Tips are not a bonus but rather the primary source of their income. Your generosity directly affects their ability to pay rent and bills.
- Consider complexity: Large orders, complicated modifications, or serving during peak hours require more work. If your party had many special requests or kept your server particularly busy, increase your tip accordingly.
- Be mindful of automatic gratuities: Check your bill for included service charges, especially at hotels, resorts, and for large parties. Additional tipping beyond an included gratuity is optional but appreciated for truly outstanding service.
- International differences matter: When traveling abroad, research local customs. Many countries include service in prices, and tipping can actually be offensive in places like Japan. Americans traveling internationally should adapt to local norms rather than applying US expectations everywhere.
- Tip in proportion to time: If you occupy a table for an extended period during busy hours, consider tipping more. Your server could have turned that table multiple times. A higher tip compensates for the opportunity cost.
Quick Mental Math Tips for Tipping
While this calculator makes tipping easy, knowing a few mental math shortcuts can help when you do not have your phone handy:
- For 10%: Simply move the decimal point one place to the left. A $45 bill becomes $4.50 tip.
- For 15%: Calculate 10%, then add half of that amount. On $40, that is $4 plus $2, equaling $6 tip.
- For 20%: Calculate 10% and double it. On $60, that is $6 times 2, equaling $12 tip.
- For 18%: Calculate 20% and subtract a small amount, or calculate 15% and add a bit more.
Rounding your bill to an easier number can simplify calculations. If your bill is $47.32, round to $50, calculate 20% ($10), then adjust slightly down if desired.
Standard tipping guide by service type
Different services warrant different tip amounts. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you tip appropriately:
Restaurants and bars
- Sit-down restaurants: 15-20% of the pre-tax bill. Tip 20% or more for excellent service.
- Buffets: 10-15% since servers primarily clear plates and refill drinks rather than taking orders.
- Bartenders: $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of the total tab for complex orders.
- Takeout: Tipping is optional but 10% is appreciated, especially for large or complex orders.
- Coffee shops: $1 or loose change in the tip jar is customary but not required.
Delivery services
- Food delivery: 15-20% with a minimum of $3-5. Tip more for bad weather, long distances, or difficult deliveries.
- Grocery delivery: 15-20% of the order total or at least $5 for small orders.
- Furniture or large item delivery: $5-20 per person depending on difficulty and weight.
Personal services
- Hairdressers and barbers: 15-20% of the service cost.
- Spa services: 15-20% for massages, facials, and other treatments.
- Nail technicians: 15-20% of the service cost.
Transportation
- Taxi drivers: 15-20% of the fare.
- Rideshare (Uber, Lyft): 15-20% or at least $2-3 for short trips.
- Valet parking: $2-5 when your car is returned.
Hotels
- Housekeeping: $2-5 per night left daily in the room.
- Bellhops: $1-2 per bag.
- Concierge: $5-20 for special assistance like securing reservations.
- Room service: 15-20% unless a service charge is already included.
Practical tipping examples
Here are some real-world scenarios to help you understand how tipping works in practice:
Example 1: dinner for two
You and a friend have dinner at a restaurant. The bill comes to $75 before tax. You received good service and want to tip 18%.
- Bill amount: $75.00
- Tip (18%): $13.50
- Total: $88.50
- Each person pays: $44.25
Example 2: group dinner
You are out with a group of six friends. The total bill is $240. The service was excellent, so you decide on a 20% tip.
- Bill amount: $240.00
- Tip (20%): $48.00
- Total: $288.00
- Each person pays: $48.00
Example 3: food delivery in bad weather
You order $30 worth of food for delivery during a snowstorm. The driver has to navigate difficult conditions to bring you your meal. You want to show appreciation with a generous 25% tip.
- Order amount: $30.00
- Tip (25%): $7.50
- Total: $37.50
The tip calculation formula
The mathematics behind tip calculation is straightforward. This calculator uses the following formulas:
Total = bill amount + tip amount
Per person = total ÷ number of people
For example, to calculate a 20% tip on a $50 bill: $50 × 0.20 = $10 tip. The total would be $50 + $10 = $60.
A quick mental math trick: to calculate 20%, simply move the decimal point one place to the left (giving you 10%) and then double it. For a $50 bill, 10% is $5, so 20% is $10.
Additional tipping scenarios
Tipping on comped or discounted meals
When you receive a complimentary meal, discount, or coupon, you should tip based on what the full price would have been. If your meal is comped by a manager due to a service issue, tip on the original amount to show appreciation that the restaurant made things right. Your server still provided the same level of service regardless of any discounts.
Tipping on gift cards
When paying with a gift card, tip on the full amount of the bill before the gift card is applied. If your $80 meal is covered entirely by a gift card, you should still leave a tip of $14-16 (18-20%) in cash or on a separate card. The server worked just as hard regardless of your payment method.
Tipping for counter service
Fast-casual restaurants where you order at a counter but food is brought to your table fall in a gray area. Tipping 10-15% is appropriate if servers bring food, refill drinks, or clear dishes. For true counter service where you pick up your own food, tipping is optional, though dropping $1-2 in a tip jar is a nice gesture.
Tipping at all-inclusive resorts
Even at all-inclusive resorts where gratuities are supposedly included, tipping is still appreciated for exceptional service. Carry small bills ($1-5) to tip bartenders, housekeeping, restaurant servers, and other staff who go above and beyond. Check your resort's policy, as some explicitly prohibit cash tipping.
Tipping for catering and private events
Catering contracts often include a service charge of 18-22%, but this does not always go directly to servers. Ask the catering company how gratuity is distributed. If the service charge goes to the company rather than staff, consider providing additional cash tips directly to servers at the end of your event.
Did you know?
- The average tip in the United States is around 18%, but 20% is becoming the new standard in major cities.
- The word "tip" may have originated in 17th century England, where coffee house patrons placed coins in a jar labeled "To Insure Promptitude" to receive faster service.
- Restaurant servers in the United States typically earn $2-3 per hour in base pay and rely on tips for the majority of their income.
- Tipping practices vary dramatically around the world. In Japan, tipping is often considered rude, while in the United States it is expected.
- The practice of tipping became widespread in America after the Civil War, though it was initially controversial and seen as undemocratic.