Tip Calculator — split a restaurant bill

Enter the bill, pick a tip percentage, set how many people are splitting. The total and per-person share update live. Useful for restaurants, taxis, food deliveries.

How much should I tip?

Tipping conventions vary widely by country. In the US, 18-20% is the cultural norm at restaurants and the lower end (10-15%) is considered ungenerous. In most of Europe, 10% is generous and unrounded service-charge-included totals are common. In Japan, China, and several Asian countries, tipping isn't customary at all and may even be refused. Always check local norms before relying on a US-style 20%.

This calculator is currency-agnostic and tip-percentage-flexible: pick the percentage that matches local custom, the bill in your currency, and how many people are splitting. The math is simple — bill × tip% added to bill, then divided by headcount — but the calculator removes the chance of an arithmetic mistake when the wine has been flowing.

How to use this tool

Pick your currency from the dropdown.
Enter the pre-tip bill amount, pick a tip percentage (preset 10/15/18/20/25 or any custom value via the slider), and how many people are splitting.
Read the per-person share. If splitting unevenly (someone ordered more), divide the bill manually first or use a more advanced split tool.

Frequently asked questions

Should I tip on pre-tax or after-tax?

Cultural debate. Strict-etiquette US schools tip on pre-tax. Practical schools tip on the post-tax total because that's what the bill says. The difference on a $50 meal in California (8% tax, 18% tip) is about $0.72 — small enough that picking either consistently is fine.

What about delivery fees and service charges?

Delivery fees and service charges go to the restaurant or platform, not directly to staff. If the receipt explicitly says 'service included' or 'gratuity included' (common in Europe), no additional tip is needed. If it says 'delivery fee' (US food delivery), still tip the driver separately.

Why does the per-person amount have a half-cent?

Splitting a $50.55 bill across 3 people gives $16.85 each, not exact cents. The calculator shows the precise number; round up so nobody owes half a cent. Whoever pays at the table absorbs the rounding (it's often <$0.01).

Is 0% tip acceptable anywhere?

In Japan, often expected — leaving a tip can be confusing or insulting. In Australia, optional (especially for routine service). In the US, only for genuinely poor service AND only if you've spoken to a manager. Default to local custom; don't import US tipping pressure to non-tipping cultures.

Can I round to a nicer number?

Adjust the tip percentage by ±0.5-2% to round the total to a clean amount. Some people prefer 'tip whatever brings the total to $60'. The calculator shows live updates so you can dial it in.

Common use cases

Where the tip calculator earns its keep.

Group dinners

When 6 people split a restaurant bill, doing the maths in your head with wine in your system is a recipe for someone underpaying. Pull out the calculator, divide cleanly, everyone Venmos the same amount.

Travel — different conventions

Travelling and unsure of the local tip norm? Set the tip to whatever your guidebook recommends. The calculator handles the per-person split same way regardless of percentage.

Business expense reports

Most expense systems require a clean tip line. Compute it before signing the receipt so the percentage is exact, then write it on the tip line. No back-and-forth with finance later.

Food delivery tipping

Most delivery apps have weird default tips ($1, 10%, 15%). Compute the right amount on this calculator before opening the app, then enter the custom amount. Drivers depend on tips.

Tips and shortcuts

Habits for tipping that's fair and easy.

Default to 18% in US restaurants

20% is the new floor in many high-cost US cities; 18% is the floor everywhere else. Below 15% is read as a complaint about service. Pick a default percentage and only deviate when you have a reason.

Tip on local norms when travelling

Don't import US 20% to Europe — you'll either look uninformed or overtip beyond what's expected. Read up on the local convention before the trip; the difference accumulates over a 10-day vacation.

Round up for cash, exact for card

Cash tips can be rounded to whatever bills you have ('here's $20 for a $17.50 total, keep the change'). Card tips should be exact since the percentage is the only data point.

When in doubt, ask

If you're unsure whether to tip in a particular country or situation, ask the staff or a local. Most people appreciate a foreigner trying to do the right thing more than they care about the exact percentage.