Splitting a restaurant check shouldn't require a math degree. Whether you're tipping a server, a barista, or a delivery driver, the calculation is the same simple percentage every time. Here's exactly how it works, plus how to divide the total among friends.
The basic tip formula
A tip is just a percentage of your bill:
- Tip = Bill × (Tip Percent ÷ 100)
- Total = Bill + Tip
In the United States, common tip rates are:
- 15% — standard for adequate service
- 18% — good service
- 20% — great service (and the easiest to estimate)
Worked example: Your meal costs $58.00 and you want to leave 20%.
- Tip = $58.00 × 0.20 = $11.60
- Total = $58.00 + $11.60 = $69.60
A quick mental-math trick
To tip 20% in your head, move the decimal one place left to get 10%, then double it.
- 10% of $58.00 = $5.80
- Double it: $5.80 × 2 = $11.60
For 15%, take that same 10% figure and add half of it: $5.80 + $2.90 = $8.70.
Should you tip on the pre-tax amount?
Etiquette experts generally say tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is perfectly acceptable, since tax isn't part of the service. Tipping on the after-tax total is slightly more generous and only adds a few cents to a dime in most cases. Pick whichever you prefer and stay consistent. If you want to check what the tax portion actually is, our Sales Tax Calculator breaks it out instantly.
Splitting the bill among the group
Once you have the grand total, dividing it is straightforward:
- Per Person = (Bill + Tip) ÷ Number of People
Worked example: A $69.60 total (from above) split among 4 friends.
- $69.60 ÷ 4 = $17.40 each
If some people ordered far more than others, split the subtotal by what each person actually had, then add an equal share of the tip on top.
How to use it
Skip the napkin math: open the Tip Calculator, enter the bill amount, choose a tip percentage, and set your party size. It instantly shows the tip, the total, and the amount each person owes.
Heading out shopping after dinner? The Discount Calculator does the reverse kind of math — it tells you the sale price after a percentage is taken off, so you always know what you're really paying.