Why use a tip calculator?
Calculating tips manually can be tricky, especially when splitting bills among multiple people or adding sales tax. A tip calculator eliminates mental math errors and ensures everyone pays their fair share. Whether you're dining at a restaurant, ordering delivery, or getting table service, this tool makes tipping quick and accurate.
Standard tipping guidelines
- Basic service: 15% is standard for adequate service at casual restaurants
- Good service: 18-20% shows appreciation for attentive, friendly service
- Excellent service: 22-25% or more for exceptional experiences or large groups
- Delivery: 10-15% for food delivery, more for bad weather or long distances
- Takeout: 0-10% is common, though tipping for takeout is increasingly expected
How to split bills fairly
When dining with friends or colleagues, splitting the bill evenly is the simplest approach. Enter the total pre-tax bill amount, select your tip percentage, add the local sales tax rate, and specify how many people are splitting the check. The calculator shows each person's exact share including their portion of the tip and tax. For uneven splits where people ordered different amounts, you can run multiple calculations—one for each person's subtotal.
Should you tip before or after tax?
Most etiquette experts recommend tipping on the pre-tax amount—the subtotal before sales tax is applied. This calculator follows that convention by calculating your tip percentage on the bill amount you enter, then adding tax separately. However, some people prefer to tip on the post-tax total. To do this, simply enter your final bill (including tax) as the bill amount and set the tax percentage to 0%. Both approaches are acceptable; choose what feels right for your situation.