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Splitting the bill and working out the tip

A tip calculator does two jobs at a restaurant table: it works out a fair gratuity, and it divides the whole thing between everyone without anybody doing long division over dessert. Enter the bill, choose a percentage, say how many people are paying, and you get the tip, the grand total and the amount each person owes.

How to use the Tip Calculator

  1. Enter the Bill Amount before tip.
  2. Set the Tip Percentage — 15–20% is standard in the United States, lower or optional elsewhere.
  3. Enter the Number of People sharing.
  4. Read the tip, the total and the per-person share.

Formula and a worked example

Tip = Bill × (p ÷ 100) · Total = Bill + Tip · Each = Total ÷ People

Whether you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax bill is a matter of local custom; tipping on the pre-tax figure is slightly more common and slightly cheaper. Rounding the per-person share up to a whole note keeps things simple.

Worked example

A 100 bill with a 15% tip split two ways: the tip is 15, the total 115, and each person pays 57.50. Push the tip to 20% and the per-person figure becomes 60.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I tip?

In the United States, 15% is standard and 20% is generous. Much of Europe rounds up or leaves 5–10%; in Japan and several other countries tipping is not expected at all.

Do I tip on the amount before or after tax?

Either is accepted. Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the more common convention.

How do I split unevenly?

Work out the total here, then divide by hand according to what each person ordered — this calculator splits equally.

Is a service charge the same as a tip?

No. A service charge is already added to your bill by the restaurant. If one appears, an extra tip is usually unnecessary.

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