How much should I tip at a restaurant?

The standard restaurant tip in the US is 18–20% for sit-down service. Tip 15% for average service, 18% for good service, 20–25% for excellent service. On a $75 dinner bill, 20% is $15, making the total $90. At bars and coffee shops, $1–2 per drink or 15–20% is standard.

How do I calculate a tip quickly in my head?

To calculate 20% mentally, move the decimal point left one place (10%), then double it. On a $48 bill: 10% = $4.80, doubled = $9.60 tip. For 15%, find 10% then add half: $4.80 + $2.40 = $7.20. For 18%, find 20% and subtract 10% of that: $9.60 − $0.96 ≈ $8.64.

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

Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically correct and traditional — servers do not benefit from the tax portion of your bill. However, the difference on a typical restaurant bill is small (often $1–3) and most diners tip on the post-tax total for simplicity. Either approach is socially acceptable. This calculator uses the bill amount you enter, so use whichever subtotal you prefer.

How do you split a bill evenly between people?

Enter the number of people in this calculator and it divides the total bill (including tip) equally. For a $150 bill with 20% tip among 4 people: total is $180, each person pays $45. If splitting unequally (e.g., someone ordered more), calculate the total tip first, then manually allocate individual shares — or use a separate bill-splitting app.

Do you tip on takeout orders?

Tipping on takeout is optional but increasingly common post-2020. For counter service or app orders, 10–15% is appreciated — staff still pack your order, handle payment, and coordinate with the kitchen. For delivery orders, 15–20% of the order total is standard, with a minimum of $3–5 for small orders.

How much do you tip for other services?

Tipping norms vary widely by service: hair stylists 15–20%, taxi and rideshare 15–20%, hotel housekeeping $2–5 per night, food delivery 15–20% (minimum $3), spa and massage therapists 15–20%, movers $20–50 per person for a full-day job, and tour guides 10–15%. Tip in cash whenever possible so the full amount goes directly to the worker.

Tip Calculator — Tip Amount & Per Person Split

Calculates tip amount, total bill, and per person cost — with quick buttons for 15%, 18%, 20%, and 25%.

How to Use This Tip Calculator

This tip calculator shows tip amount, total bill, and per person cost for any bill size and tip percentage. Enter your bill amount, choose a tip percentage using the quick-select buttons (15%, 18%, 20%, 25%) or type a custom percentage, then enter the number of people splitting the bill. The calculator instantly shows the tip amount, total bill, and — when splitting — the per person total and per person tip. Use the Share button to copy a link with your numbers pre-filled.

Not sure how to handle a percentage? Our markup calculator explains how percentages work for pricing and profit — the same arithmetic applies to tips.

How to Calculate a Tip

Tip calculation is straightforward multiplication:

Tip amount = Bill × (Tip % ÷ 100)
Total bill = Bill + Tip amount
Per person total = Total bill ÷ Number of people
Per person tip = Tip amount ÷ Number of people

Example: a $75.00 bill with 20% tip — tip is $15.00, total is $90.00. Split between 3 people: each owes $30.00 total ($25.00 bill share + $5.00 tip each).

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Standard Tip Percentages by Situation

US tipping norms vary by service type and quality. Here are current standard ranges:

Sit-down restaurant, average service: 15%
Sit-down restaurant, good service: 18–20%
Sit-down restaurant, exceptional service: 20–25%
Bar tab or coffee shop: $1–2 per drink, or 15%
Food delivery: 15–20%, minimum $3–5
Takeout counter service: 10–15%, optional
Hair salon / barber: 15–20%
Taxi / rideshare: 15–20%
Hotel housekeeping: $2–5 per night
Movers (full day): $20–50 per person

Quick Mental Math Tips

No phone handy? These shortcuts make tip math fast:

20% tip: Move the decimal one place left, then double. On $64: 10% = $6.40, doubled = $12.80.
15% tip: Find 10%, then add half. On $64: $6.40 + $3.20 = $9.60.
18% tip: Find 20% and subtract 10% of that. On $64: $12.80 − $1.28 = $11.52 (round to $11.50).
25% tip: Find 10%, then double it, then add half. On $64: $6.40 × 2 = $12.80 + $3.20 = $16.00.

These all work cleanly enough to compute while your waiter runs your card. The calculator above handles the exact math so you can verify your mental estimate.

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

Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is technically correct and the traditional approach — servers do not earn income from the tax portion of your bill. However, tipping on the total (including tax) is far more common in practice, and the difference is usually $1–3 on a typical restaurant bill. Both are acceptable. Enter whichever number you want to calculate from — this calculator does not enforce either convention.

In states with high sales tax (California at 10.25%, New York City at 8.875%), the difference becomes more noticeable on large bills. On a $200 pre-tax bill in NYC with 8.875% tax, the taxed total is $217.75. A 20% tip on pre-tax = $40; on post-tax = $43.55.

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Splitting the Bill Between Groups

Even splits work cleanly when everyone ordered roughly the same amount. When one person ordered a $60 steak and another a $15 salad, equal splitting feels unfair. In that case, calculate each person's share individually and split only the tip equally. A quick approach: each person pays their own subtotal, then the total tip (say 20%) is divided equally.

For very large groups (10+), many restaurants automatically add a mandatory gratuity of 18–20% to the bill. Check your receipt before tipping again — paying double tip is a common mistake.

Tipping Culture and When It Applies

Tipping in the US is not legally required but is socially expected in most service contexts. Many service workers — especially restaurant servers — receive a lower base wage (as low as $2.13/hour federally for tipped employees) and depend on tips for most of their income. If you eat out regularly, factoring a 20% tip into your spending plan with a budget calculator can help you stay on track. In contrast, many other countries build service wages into menu prices and tipping is optional or uncommon.

When traveling internationally, research local norms. In Japan, tipping is considered rude. In Australia and most of Western Europe, tipping 5–10% for good restaurant service is appreciated but not expected. In Canada, 15–18% is standard at sit-down restaurants — similar to the US.

Financial Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational purposes only. Tipping norms described here reflect general US practices as of 2026 and may vary by region, establishment, and individual circumstance.

Sources & References

Restaurant Tipping Etiquette and Standards — National Restaurant Association
Gratuity Guidelines for Service Industry — The Etiquette School of America
Hospitality Industry Best Practices — American Hotel & Lodging Association

Tip Calculator