About This Tip Calculator

What it does

Quickly calculates tip, total bill, and per-person split—with options for tip before/after tax, rounding, and service charges. Perfect for ending the “who owes what” debate without long division or side-eye.

Who it’s for

• Diners splitting checks (friends, families, first dates, brave souls)

• Servers double-checking payouts

• Anyone who wants fast, accurate tip + total + split numbers

How to use it

1. Enter Bill Amount — the subtotal or total from your receipt.

2. Select Tip % — e.g., 15%, 18%, 20%, or custom.

3. Choose Tip Basis — before tax or after tax (toggle).

4. (Optional) Sales Tax % — used only if tipping before tax.

5. (Optional) Service Charge — if the restaurant already adds a fee.

6. People — number of diners to split the bill.

7. (Optional) Rounding — round tip, total, or per-person to clean numbers.

Formulas

• If tip on after-tax:

  • tip = total * (tip% / 100)

  • grandTotal = total + tip + serviceCharge

• If tip on before-tax (with tax%):

  • tax = subtotal * (tax% / 100)

  • tip = subtotal * (tip% / 100)

  • grandTotal = subtotal + tax + tip + serviceCharge

• Per Person: perPerson = grandTotal / people

Example (tip on subtotal, 8.5% tax)

• Subtotal: $86.40

• Tip: 18% → 86.40 × 0.18 = $15.55

• Tax: 8.5% → 86.40 × 0.085 = $7.34

• Grand Total: 86.40 + 15.55 + 7.34 = $109.29

• Split 3 ways → $36.43 each (rounding may adjust by a cent).

Pro tips

• Before vs. After Tax: Local norms vary; many tip on pre-tax in the U.S.

• Service Charge: If already included (e.g., 18%), you may not need an additional tip—check the receipt.

• Rounding: Toggle rounding to the nearest $0.01 / $0.05 / $1 for tidy splits.

• Custom %: Slide or type your exact tip % (e.g., 17%). The math won’t judge.

Note: This tool estimates totals for dining scenarios. It doesn’t replace local tipping customs or employer payout systems.

FAQ

Should I tip before or after tax?
Customs vary. Many U.S. diners tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Use the toggle to match your preference.

What’s a typical tip percentage?
Common ranges are 15–20% for standard service. Use a custom % for exceptional or poor service.

How do I handle a service charge?
If the bill already includes a service/gratuity (e.g., 18%), you may not need to add another tip. Read the receipt carefully.

Can I split unevenly?
This tool splits evenly. For uneven splits (e.g., someone didn’t drink), adjust the people setting or manually edit results.

Why don’t my per-person totals add up exactly?
Rounding to cents can create a 1–2 cent difference. The calculator minimizes this, but small discrepancies are normal.