Tip Calculator
Free tip calculator: enter the bill and a tip percent to get the tip amount, the total, and an even split per person for any size group.
How the tip calculator works
Enter the bill amount and a tip percent, and the calculator finds the tip, the total, and — if you're splitting the check — what each person owes. There are two equivalent ways to get the same total.
Method A — find the tip, then add it
Example — $26.50 bill, 18% tip.
Tip = 26.50 × 0.18 = 4.77Total = 26.50 + 4.77 = 31.27
Method B — multiply by the tip factor
Skip the middle step by multiplying the bill by 1 + P% directly.
Same example, one step: 26.50 × 1.18 = 31.27. Tip 20% → multiply by 1.20. Tip 15% → multiply by 1.15.
Splitting the bill among a group
Example — split $31.27 two ways. 31.27 ÷ 2 = 15.635, which rounds to $15.64 per person. Because of rounding, two people paying $15.64 each add up to $31.28 — a cent over the exact total, which is normal when splitting an odd amount evenly.
Example — $100 bill, 20% tip, 4 people. Tip is $20.00, total is $120.00, and each person pays $30.00.
Quick mental-math trick for 10%
The fastest way to estimate any tip starts with finding 10% of the bill by moving the decimal point one place to the left.
- 10% of $26.50 → move the decimal: $2.65.
- 20% → double the 10% figure: $2.65 × 2 = $5.30.
- 15% → add half of the 10% figure to itself: $2.65 + $1.33 ≈ $3.98.
Common US tip guidelines
| Service | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Counter service / takeout | 0-10% |
| Casual dining | 15-18% |
| Full-service restaurant | 18-20% |
| Exceptional service | 20-25%+ |
What this calculator doesn't cover
Some receipts offer a "don't tip on tax" option, where the tip is calculated only on the pre-tax subtotal instead of the full bill (including tax). This calculator always tips on the amount you enter as the bill — if you want to exclude tax, enter the pre-tax subtotal as the bill amount instead of the receipt total.
Common mistakes
- Tipping on the raw percent instead of the decimal rate.
18%of the bill isbill × 0.18, notbill × 18. - Dividing the bill instead of the total. Split the total (bill + tip) among the group, not just the bill.
- Forgetting large groups often already include gratuity. Many restaurants add an automatic service charge for parties of 6 or more — check the receipt before tipping again on top of it.
Frequently asked questions
- How much should I tip on a $26.50 bill?
- At 18%, the tip on a $26.50 bill is $4.77, for a total of $31.27. At 20% the tip is $5.30 and the total is $31.80.
- How do I calculate a tip without a calculator?
- Find 10% by moving the decimal point one place left — $26.50 becomes $2.65. Double that for 20%, or add half of the 10% figure for 15%.
- How do I split a bill with tip among a group?
- Add the tip to the bill to get the total, then divide the total by the number of people. This calculator does that for you the moment you enter a number of people.
- Should I tip before or after tax?
- Most people tip on the full bill total, tax included, which is what this calculator does. Some prefer to tip only on the pre-tax subtotal — that option isn't built into this calculator yet.
- What is a standard tip percentage in the US?
- 15-20% of the bill is the typical range at US restaurants, with 18-20% common for good table service.
- Why does splitting the bill sometimes leave a penny off?
- Dividing a total like $31.27 by 2 gives $15.635, which rounds to $15.64 per person. Rounding two shares to the nearest cent can differ from the exact total by a cent.
- Is the tip calculated on the bill or on the total?
- The tip percent applies to the bill amount you enter, not to the total. The total is the bill plus that tip.