Tip Calculator
A free tip calculator takes the stress out of paying after a meal. Enter your bill, tap a tip level from “Okay” to “Outstanding,” and see the tip amount, total with tip, and per-person split in seconds. Going Dutch with friends? Set the number of people and optional round-up so everyone pays a clean dollar amount.
How Much Should You Tip?
In the United States, 15–20% is the usual range for sit-down restaurants. Use 10% when service was acceptable but nothing special, 18% for solid service, and 20–25% when the team went above and beyond. Bartenders, delivery drivers, and hairstylists have their own norms—often a dollar per drink or 15–20% of the service total.
Tip on the amount you are comfortable with after discounts, and remember that many workers rely on tips as part of their income. In the US, the federal tipped minimum wage is just $2.13/hour in some states, making tips essential rather than optional for servers. This tool lets you try different percentages instantly before you tap “pay” on the terminal.
A quick mental shortcut: to calculate 20%, move the decimal point one place to the left (that gives you 10%), then double it. For example, on a $45 bill: 10% = $4.50, doubled = $9.00 tip. For 15%, find 10% and add half of it: $4.50 + $2.25 = $6.75.
Tipping Etiquette by Country
United States & Canada: tipping is expected in restaurants, bars, taxis, and hotels. United Kingdom & Ireland: 10–12.5% is common when service is not included; check the receipt. France & Italy: service may be included ("service compris"); rounding up or leaving small change is typical. Japan: tipping is often declined—excellent service is considered standard. Australia: tipping is optional, not obligatory, though it is becoming more common in upscale dining.
Middle East & South Asia: tipping practices vary widely. In the UAE, a 10% service charge is often added to restaurant bills, but an additional small tip for outstanding service is common. In India, 10% is a standard restaurant tip in urban areas.
When abroad, observe local customs rather than defaulting to US percentages. Our currency converter helps if you are splitting a bill in foreign currency.
How to Split a Bill Fairly
Even split: divide the total (with tip) by the number of people—fast and friendly when everyone ordered similarly. Itemized split: each person pays for their dishes plus a share of shared items and tax. One payer: one card pays and others Venmo their share—use this calculator to get exact amounts per person.
Enable round up per person when you want whole-dollar amounts; the group may pay a few cents extra total, but nobody fumbles with change. This is especially useful when sending payment via apps like Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App, where round numbers make the transaction cleaner.
For tax math on a subtotal, try the VAT calculator or percentage calculator. Both tools complement this tip calculator for full meal-cost breakdowns.
Tipping for Other Services Beyond Restaurants
Restaurant tipping gets the most attention, but many other service professionals rely on gratuities as a meaningful part of their income. Here are common US tipping guidelines for non-restaurant scenarios:
- Hair salons & barbershops — 15–20% of the total service cost. If an assistant shampoos your hair separately, tip them $3–5 cash directly.
- Hotel housekeeping — $2–5 per night, left on the desk or pillow each morning (not just at checkout, since different staff may clean each day).
- Ride-share & taxi drivers — 15–20% of the fare, with a minimum of $2–3 for short rides. In-app tipping makes this easy after the ride ends.
- Movers — $20–50 per mover for a local move, or 15–20% of the total bill for a long-distance relocation. Heavier or more difficult moves (stairs, fragile items) warrant higher tips.
- Grocery & food delivery — 15–20% of the order total, with a $5 minimum. In bad weather or for large orders, consider tipping more generously.
- Valet parking — $2–5 when your car is returned, regardless of the parking fee.
Use this tip calculator to compute the amount for any service—just enter the service cost as the "bill" and select or type the desired percentage. For quick math on any percentage, our percentage calculator handles the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Restaurants, pre-tax tipping, etiquette, and uneven orders.
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
In the United States, 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is standard for sit-down restaurants with table service. 18% is a common "good" default; 20% or more signals outstanding service. Fast-casual restaurants with minimal table service might warrant 10% or a few dollars. Counter-service cafes often use a tip jar only, where tipping is optional. When in doubt, 18–20% is a safe and generous choice that servers genuinely appreciate. Adjust for local norms when travelling internationally.
Should you tip on pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Etiquette guides generally recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, since sales tax is not part of the service you received. However, many diners tip on the post-tax total for simplicity—the difference is usually only a dollar or two on most bills. This calculator uses the bill amount you enter directly, so subtract tax beforehand if you prefer strict pre-tax tipping. Either approach is acceptable in casual dining; the most important thing is that you tip fairly for the service received.
Is it rude not to tip?
It depends heavily on the country and context. In the United States, restaurant servers are often paid a lower base wage (as low as $2.13/hour in some states) with the expectation that tips will make up the difference—so skipping the tip can be seen as rude, especially after good service. In Japan or South Korea, tipping is generally uncommon and may even be considered awkward. In much of Europe, a service charge is often included in the bill; a small extra tip for exceptional service is appreciated but not mandatory. Always research local customs before traveling.
How do I split a bill when people ordered different things?
For truly fair splits, each person pays for their own items plus their proportional share of tax and tip. Alternatively, use separate checks if the restaurant allows it. For shared appetizers, bottles of wine, or desserts, split those costs evenly among the people who shared them. When everyone's orders are similar in price, splitting the total evenly (which is what this calculator does) is the quickest and most socially smooth approach. For large groups with very different orders, payment apps with itemized splitting features can help.
How much should I tip for delivery or takeout?
For food delivery, 15–20% of the order total is standard in the US, with a minimum of $3–5 for small orders. Delivery drivers use their own vehicle and gas in many cases, so tipping is an important part of their compensation. For takeout (where you pick up the food yourself), tipping is optional but appreciated—typically 0–10%. If the restaurant staff went out of their way (e.g., packing a large catering order carefully), a higher tip is a kind gesture.
Should I tip on top of an automatic gratuity?
Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity (usually 18–20%) for large parties of 6 or more. Check your bill carefully—if a gratuity is already included, you are not expected to tip again, although you can add a small extra amount for exceptional service. Some diners mistake the auto-gratuity line for a suggested tip and end up double-tipping. Always read the bill before adding more.
Disclaimer: Tipping customs vary by country, region, and establishment. This calculator provides estimates for general reference only—always use your judgment and respect local norms.