Answer: Enter the bill amount, tip percentage, and number of people to get the tip amount, total bill, and per-person share instantly.
Split the bill and tip among friends.
This tip splitter divides a restaurant bill — plus tip — evenly among any number of people. Enter the bill amount, choose a tip percentage, and say how many people are paying: the calculator applies the tip, then splits the total so each person knows exactly what to contribute, down to the cent.
The math is simple enough to do in your head until it isn't: a $127.40 bill at 20% across 5 people requires long division at the table, which is why phones come out. Doing it in a tool also removes the two classic errors — forgetting to tip on the tax-inclusive total you actually intend, or rounding each share down so the group comes up short.
Tipping norms vary sharply by country, and the ranges below reflect commonly cited United States norms, where tipped restaurant service is standard. In the US, 15–20% of the pre-tax bill has been the conventional range for table service for decades, with 20% increasingly treated as the default in recent years; many POS tablets now suggest 18/20/25% presets. For counter service or takeout, tipping is optional and typically smaller.
Outside the US the picture differs entirely: Japan treats tipping as unnecessary and can even see it as rude; most of Europe includes service in the bill and expects only a small rounding-up (a few percent); Canada's norms roughly match US norms with slightly lower percentages. The table below collects these conventions.
Even splitting — what this calculator does — is the default for shared meals because it is fast and avoids line-item negotiation. It is fairest when people ordered similarly; when orders varied widely, groups commonly split the bill but settle the difference separately, or itemize the check in a payment app instead.
A second fairness question is the tip base: tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the strict convention, but tipping on the post-tax total is common practice and simply rounds the tip up slightly (on a 10% sales tax, the difference is about 2 percentage points of tip). Either is defensible; consistency within the group matters more than the choice. This calculator shows both subtotal and total so you can apply whichever base your group prefers. Agree on the base and the split method before anyone pays, and the settle-up takes seconds instead of a negotiation. For groups that dine together often, a running tally or a rotation that alternates who picks up the check sidesteps the arithmetic entirely while staying fair over time.
| Setting | Typical tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US table service | 15–20% | 20% increasingly the default; 15% acceptable floor |
| US counter service / takeout | 0–10% | Optional; tip jars and tablet presets common |
| US large party (often 6–8+) | 18–20% auto | Automatic gratuity frequently added to the check |
| Canada | 15–20% | Similar to US; 15–18% common baseline |
| Western Europe | 0–10% | Service often included; round up a few euros |
| Japan | Not customary | Tipping can be seen as impolite |
| Delivery (US) | 10–20% or flat $3–5 | Higher for bad weather or long distances |
Two mental shortcuts are worth knowing even with a calculator in hand. To tip 20%, move the decimal one place left and double it: on $46.00, that's $4.60 × 2 = $9.20. To tip 10%, just move the decimal. Fifteen percent is 10% plus half of that: $4.60 + $2.30 = $6.90.
When splitting, rounding each share up to the nearest dollar or coin ensures the group never comes up short, and the overage becomes extra tip — a small generosity the server appreciates and no one minds. For larger parties, note that many US restaurants add an automatic gratuity (commonly 18–20%) to tables above a stated size, often 6 or 8 people; check the menu or ask, so you don't double-tip.
How do I split a bill with tip fairly?
Enter the bill total, apply your tip percentage, and divide by the number of people — which is exactly what this calculator does. Even splitting works best when orders were similar; if they varied a lot, split the base evenly here and settle item differences separately.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
The strict convention is pre-tax, but tipping on the post-tax total is common and simply rounds the tip up a little. The difference on a typical sales tax is one or two percentage points of tip. Pick either — just be consistent across the group.
What is a standard tip percentage in the US?
Fifteen to twenty percent for table service, with 20% widely treated as the modern default and anything below 15% signaling dissatisfaction. Counter service and takeout tipping is optional and usually smaller.
How do I calculate a 20% tip in my head?
Move the decimal point one place to the left, then double the result. On a $46 bill: $4.60 doubled is $9.20. For 15%, take 10% and add half again ($4.60 + $2.30 = $6.90).
Do restaurants add tip automatically for big groups?
Many US restaurants add an automatic gratuity — commonly 18–20% — for parties above a stated size, often 6 or 8 people. It is usually printed on the menu; check before adding your own tip so you don't pay twice.