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Tip Calculator

Enter your bill, pick a tip percentage, and split between any number of people.

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Bill Details

$

Enter the total before tip. If tipping on pre-tax, do not include sales tax in this amount.

Standard for US sit-down restaurants: 18–20%. Food delivery: 15–18%. Bar: $1–2 per drink. Hotel housekeeping: $2–5 per night.

people

Number of people splitting the total bill including tip. Enter 1 if you're paying alone.

Your Total

Tip Amount
$9.00
18% of $50.00
Total Bill
$59.00
Bill + tip
Per Person
$59.00
1 person
$50.00 bill × 18% tip ÷ 1 person
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard tip percentage in the US?
The standard tip at sit-down restaurants in the United States is 18–20%, with 20% increasingly the norm in major cities. For exceptional service, 25% or more is common. At counter-service or fast-casual restaurants, tipping is appreciated but not expected—10–15% is generous. For food delivery, 15–18% of the bill is standard, and for rideshares like Uber and Lyft, 15–20% is typical. These norms have shifted upward over time partly due to the rise of digital payment prompts.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
There is no strict rule, but most etiquette experts recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal since the server did not provide the government's portion of your bill. In practice, the difference is small—on a $50 meal with 8% tax, tipping 20% pre-tax is $10.00 versus $10.80 post-tax. Many diners find it easier to tip on the total rather than subtracting tax first. Either approach is perfectly acceptable; the server will appreciate any thoughtful tip.
How do I split a bill evenly between multiple people?
To split a bill evenly, add the tip to the total bill first, then divide by the number of people. For example, if your bill is $120 and you tip 20%, the tip is $24, making the total $144. Split among 4 people, each person owes $36. This calculator does that math automatically: enter your bill, select a tip percentage, set the number of people, and it shows each person's share instantly. For uneven splits (one person had a more expensive dish), it's easiest to itemize each person's share and apply the tip percentage to their individual subtotal.
Should I tip on takeout or delivery orders?
Tipping on takeout is optional but courteous—10–15% acknowledges the staff who prepared and packaged your food. For delivery orders, tipping is strongly encouraged since delivery drivers often rely on tips as a significant part of their income. The recommended range for delivery is 15–18% of the order total, with a minimum of $3–$5 for smaller orders. Third-party delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) typically prompt for a tip before delivery; this goes to the driver, not the restaurant, so consider tipping both if the service is excellent.
How much should I tip hotel staff, hairdressers, and other service workers?
Tipping norms vary by service: hotel housekeeping, $2–$5 per night (left daily since staff may rotate); bellhops, $1–$2 per bag; hotel concierge for significant help, $5–$20. For hairdressers and stylists, 15–20% of the service cost is standard. Barbers, $2–$5 or 15–20%. Tattoo artists, 15–20% if you are happy with the work. Movers, $20–$50 per mover for a full-day job. Spa services (massages, facials), 15–20%. When in doubt, 15–20% is a safe default for any personal service.
Is tipping mandatory in the US, and what happens if I don't tip?
Tipping is not legally required in the US—it is a voluntary gratuity. However, for tipped workers like restaurant servers, federal law allows employers to pay a lower base wage (as little as $2.13/hour federally) on the assumption that tips will bring their total compensation up to at least minimum wage. In practice, skipping a tip in a full-service restaurant means the server may earn very little for their work. Some restaurants have moved to a no-tipping model with higher menu prices, but this is still uncommon. In other countries—Japan, South Korea, Australia—tipping can even be considered rude, so it's worth researching local customs when traveling abroad.

The Real Story Behind US Tipping Culture

Tipping in the US is not optional in the way it is in most other countries. The federal minimum wage for tipped workers has been $2.13 per hour since 1991. Employers are legally required to make up the difference if tips don't bring a worker's earnings up to the standard federal minimum wage of $7.25, but in practice, tips are how servers actually earn a living — not a bonus on top of one.

Standard expectations in 2026: 18–20% for sit-down restaurant service, 15% for service you found adequate but wouldn't seek out again, 15–18% for food delivery (more if the weather is bad or the order is complex), $1–2 per drink at a bar, $2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping — left daily, not at checkout, since housekeeping staff rotate rooms. 15–20% for hair and nail services, 10–15% for taxi or rideshare.

The tablet tip screen at a counter-service coffee shop asking for 30% is a product of Square and Toast payment systems, not social custom. There is no established obligation to tip at a counter where you order and pick up your own food. Tip if you want to, but the guilt in those big buttons on the screen is by design.

For groups of 6 or more, many restaurants add an automatic gratuity of 18–20%. Check before adding a tip on the signature line — the receipt can be confusing and result in double-tipping. If gratuity is already included, it will usually say so clearly on the bill.

The question of whether to tip on pre-tax or post-tax is genuinely ambiguous with no single correct answer. Tipping on pre-tax is technically more accurate to the service received. Tipping on the total is simpler. The real-world difference on a $60 meal in a state with 8% sales tax is about $1. Either is socially fine.

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About This Tip Calculator

This tip calculator handles everything from a simple solo dinner to large group splits. Enter your bill amount, choose a preset tip percentage (10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, or 25%) or type in a custom percentage, and specify how many people are splitting the check. The calculator instantly shows the tip amount, the total bill, and how much each person owes.

All calculations happen in your browser in real time—no form submission needed. The tip is calculated as: Tip = Bill × (Tip% ÷ 100). The per-person amount is: (Bill + Tip) ÷ Number of People. Results are rounded to the nearest cent.