Tip & Split Bill Calculator
Work out the tip, sales tax and total, then split the check between any number of diners. The split runs in whole cents, so every share adds back to the exact total with no missing pennies.
Written by Suhaib Hassan. Tipping ranges reflect common customs and are guidance, not rules. Our methodology.
It converts the bill to cents, computes tax and tip, then divides the total by diners and hands leftover cents to the first diners in turn.
Most tip tools show one rounded number. This one shows each person's exact share and lets you choose how the total is rounded.
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Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the common US custom: staff are tipped for the food and service, not for the sales tax. Some diners tip on the post-tax total, which adds a little.
Typical gratuity by service
Common US customs. Treat these as a guide, since local norms and any service charge already on the bill come first.
| Service | Usual range | Common rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service dine-in | 15% – 25% | 18% – 20% | Usually on the pre-tax food and drink subtotal. Many restaurants add 18–20% automatically for large parties. |
| Food delivery | 10% – 20% | $3 – $5 minimum | Tip more for bad weather, long distances or big orders. |
| Bartender | 15% – 20% | $1 – $2 per drink | A flat amount per drink, or a percentage if you run a tab. |
| Buffet | 5% – 10% | $1 – $2 per person | Covers clearing plates and refilling drinks. |
| Taxi and rideshare | 10% – 20% | 15% baseline | Add extra for luggage help or long waits. |
| Valet | Flat amount | $2 – $5 | Given when the car is returned; more for bad weather or luxury cars. |
Tipping around the world
Customs differ a lot. Always check whether a service charge is already on the bill.
United States · 15% – 20%
Expected in sit-down restaurants. Servers are often paid a lower base wage that assumes tips.
Status: expectedUnited Kingdom · 10% – 12.5%
Often added to the bill as a discretionary service charge. Ask for it to be removed if service was poor.
Status: optional or includedFrance and Germany · round up 5% – 10%
Service is included in menu prices in France (service compris) and customary in Germany. Rounding up or leaving small change is normal.
Status: includedJapan · 0%
Good service is part of the price, and leaving cash behind can cause confusion.
Status: not customaryAustralia · 5% – 10%
Uncommon. Staff are paid an award wage, so tips are reserved for exceptional service.
Status: discretionaryHow the split is calculated
Everything runs in whole cents so no fraction of a cent is ever lost.
1. Tip
The tip is a percentage of the pre-tax subtotal, or of subtotal plus tax if you switch the option off.
tip = round(basis × tip% )2. Total
Add the subtotal, the sales tax and the tip. Rounding options adjust the tip so the total lands on a whole amount.
total = subtotal + tax + tip3. Split
Each diner gets the whole-cent quotient. The remaining cents go one each to the first diners, so shares sum to the total.
share = ⌊total ÷ n⌋ cents
extra = total mod nWorked examples
Illustrative bills, each checked by hand. The first is the default setup.
Dinner for three
$85.00 subtotal, 8.25% sales tax, 18% tip on the subtotal, three diners.
tip = 85.00 × 18% = 15.30
total = 85.00 + 7.01 + 15.30 = 107.31
107.31 ÷ 3 = 35.77 each
Uneven cents
$92.00 bill, no tax, 18% tip, three diners.
10,856 cents ÷ 3 = 3,618 r 2
36.19 + 36.19 + 36.18 = 108.56
Pre-tax or post-tax?
$60.00 subtotal, 8% tax, 20% tip.
post-tax tip = 64.80 × 20% = 12.96
difference = 0.96
How to split a bill with a tip
- Enter the subtotal before tax, then choose a tip percentage that fits the service.
- Add the sales tax rate so the total matches your receipt.
- Set the number of diners for an equal split, or enter weights for an uneven one.
- Pick a rounding style if you want to pay in whole dollars.
If the check already includes a service charge or automatic gratuity, you may not need to tip further. Set the tip to 0% to see the split of the bill alone.
By Suhaib Hassan · Reviewed 29 September 2026 · How CalculatePilot verifies formulas →
Sources
- IRS Revenue Ruling 2012-18, on mandatory service charges and how they differ from voluntary tips.
- IRS Publication 531, Reporting Tip Income.
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Fact Sheet #15: Tipped Employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Either is acceptable. Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the more common custom, because sales tax is a government charge rather than a payment for service. Tipping on the post-tax total adds a little more. Use the toggle to compare.
How is the per-person amount calculated?
The total bill plus tax and tip is divided by the number of diners in whole cents. Any leftover cents go to the first diners, one cent each, so the shares add up to the exact total.
What is an automatic gratuity for large parties?
Many restaurants add a fixed service charge, often 18% to 20%, for parties of six or more. Under IRS Revenue Ruling 2012-18 a mandatory charge like this is a service charge rather than a voluntary tip, so check the bill before adding more.
What does the rounding option do?
Exact cents keeps every amount to the cent. Round total moves the tip so the grand total is a whole dollar. Round tip rounds only the tip to a whole dollar.
How does the custom ratio split work?
Enter one weight per diner, such as 2, 1, 1. Each diner pays their weight divided by the total weight of the total bill, again in whole cents.
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