💰 Tip Calculator

Calculate tips and split the bill — fast. Perfect for any meal out.

Bill amount

Tip percentage: 18%

Split between: 1 person

Round total up to the nearest dollar

Total per person

$59.00

Tip

$9.00

Bill total

$59.00

💡 Tipping guide (US)

• Waitstaff: 18–20% for good service, 15% for fair
• Bartenders: $1–2 per drink or 20% of tab
• Delivery: 15–20%, minimum $5
• Takeout: 10–15% is standard

How to Calculate Tips & US Tipping Etiquette Standards

Tipping in the United States is a customary part of the service economy, and knowing the right amount for each situation keeps the experience smooth for you and fair for the people serving you. Use the quick reference below to tip with confidence.

Standard Tipping Percentages by Service Industry

While tipping is discretionary, most situations have a widely accepted benchmark:

Sit-down dining (customary): 18–20% of the pre-tax bill for standard, attentive table service.
Exceptional service: 22–25% when your server goes above and beyond — special requests, large groups handled well, or memorable hospitality.
Food delivery: $5 or 15–20%, whichever is greater. A flat $5 minimum protects drivers on smaller orders, while a percentage is fairer on larger ones.
Counter service & takeout: optional, but 10% is a kind gesture for made-to-order items.

The Mathematical Tip Calculation Formula

The formula is simply the bill multiplied by the tip rate expressed as a decimal:

Tip = Pre-tax bill × (tip % ÷ 100)

For example, an 18% tip on a $75.00 bill is $75.00 × 0.18 = $13.50.

Quick mental-math shortcuts:

10%: move the decimal one place left ($75.00 → $7.50).
20%: take 10% and double it ($7.50 → $15.00).
18%: find 20% and subtract a tenth of that 10% figure ($15.00 − $1.50 = $13.50).

Should You Tip on Pre-Tax or Post-Tax Totals?

Standard etiquette is to calculate gratuity on the pre-tax subtotal. Sales tax is money collected for the government, not a charge for the service you received, so it should not inflate the base your tip is calculated from.

On a $75.00 meal with 8% tax, tipping 20% on the pre-tax subtotal is $15.00, versus $16.20 if you tipped on the $81.00 taxed total — a small difference per meal that adds up over time. Tipping on the post-tax total is never wrong or frowned upon; it simply means you are being a bit more generous. When in doubt, tip on the subtotal and round up for great service.

How This Tool Works

A tip calculator helps you quickly determine the right tip amount and split the total bill among multiple people. It calculates based on the pre-tax subtotal (the proper tipping base), your desired tip percentage, and the number of people sharing the bill. Whether you are dining out, ordering delivery, or using a ride-share service, this tool takes the awkwardness out of the math and ensures fair, fast splits every time.

💡 Tips & Best Practices

1Standard US restaurant tips: 18–20% for good service, 22%+ for excellent service.
2Always tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total after tax — unless you want to be extra generous.
3For counter service and takeout, 10–15% is increasingly expected in the US.
4Check if gratuity is already included for large parties (typically 6+ people) before adding more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?

Etiquette guides recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal. Tipping on the post-tax total means you are effectively tipping on the sales tax too — generous but not required.

How much should I tip for delivery?

15–20% of the order total is standard for food delivery, with a minimum of $3–5 for small orders. Add a few extra dollars in bad weather or for long-distance deliveries.