Tip & Bill Splitter
Quickly calculate the tip and split the bill with friends. Fast, accurate, and ad-free.
Tipping Etiquette Guide
Restaurants (Sit-down)
In the United States, a tip of 18% to 20% is the standard for good service. For exceptional service, 22% or more is common. If the service was poor, 15% is typically the minimum baseline.
Counter Service
For coffee shops or fast-casual counters where you order at the register, tips are appreciated but not strictly required. A 10% tip or "rounding up" is a generous gesture for the staff.
Large Groups
Many restaurants automatically include a "gratuity" (usually 18%) for parties of 6 or more. Always check your bill for "Service Charge" before adding an additional tip to avoid double-tipping.
Tipping and splitting a bill
Enter the bill, choose a percentage and set the number of people to get the tip, the total and the amount each person owes. The arithmetic is simple; the awkwardness is usually social, and knowing the local norm removes most of it.
What is customary where
In the United States, 18 to 20 percent is standard for table service, with 15 read as a signal of dissatisfaction. Serving staff in many states are paid a reduced base wage on the assumption tips make up the difference, which is why the expectation is firmer than elsewhere.
In the United Kingdom and much of Europe, 10 to 15 percent is generous and often a service charge is already included — check the bill before adding more. In Japan, tipping is not customary and can cause genuine confusion. Australia and New Zealand sit closer to the European pattern.
Practical points
Tip on the pre-tax amount if you want to be precise, though many people simply use the total for convenience. On a large bill the difference is worth noticing; on a small one it is negligible.
Watch for an automatic gratuity on large groups, commonly six or more. Adding a further tip on top of an included service charge is an easy and expensive mistake.
When splitting unevenly, calculate each person's share of the bill first, then apply the same percentage to each share. Splitting the total equally when one person had a starter and a bottle of wine tends to leave a bad feeling.
A quick mental shortcut
Move the decimal point one place left to get 10 percent, halve that for 5 percent, and add them for 15. For 20, simply double the 10 percent figure. It is fast enough to do while the card machine is being brought over.
Check for service charge
Many bills already include it, particularly for larger groups. Adding a tip on top doubles up.
Round up, not down
Rounding to the nearest note or dollar is simpler for everyone and rarely costs much.
Cash reaches staff faster
Where you can, cash tips typically go to the server directly without a pooling delay.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage is standard?
Around 18 to 20 percent for table service in the United States, 10 to 15 in the UK and much of Europe, and none at all in Japan.
Should I tip on the pre-tax amount?
Tipping pre-tax is technically more correct, though many people use the total. The difference is small on most bills.
How do I split a bill unevenly?
Work out each person's share of the items first, then apply the tip percentage to each share separately.
Do I tip if a service charge is included?
Generally no. An included service charge is the tip. Anything extra is optional and only for exceptional service.