Tip Calculator
Tip, total, and everyone's share — settled before the card hits the table.
Tip and split the bill
The math (and the mental shortcut)
On an $86.40 dinner at 20% split two ways: the tip is $17.28, the total is $103.68, and each person pays $51.84. The classic no-phone shortcut: move the decimal one place left to get 10% ($8.64), then double it for 20% ($17.28). For 15%, take the 10% and add half of it again.
How much to tip in the US
Customs vary by setting, but mainstream US practice looks like this: sit-down restaurants 18–20% (15% reads as below-average service these days in most cities), bars $1–2 per drink or 20% on a tab, food delivery 15–20% with a sensible minimum of a few dollars, hair and personal services 15–20%, taxis and rideshares 10–20%, and counter-service tip screens genuinely your call — tipping for hand-you-a-muffin transactions is appreciated but not obligatory. Hotel housekeeping ($2–5 per night, left daily) is the most commonly forgotten tip in America.
Tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Etiquette tradition says pre-tax; in practice most people tip on the total because it's the number staring at them, and the difference is small — on a $100 bill with 8% tax, 20% pre-tax versus post-tax is $20.00 versus $21.60. Pick whichever feels right; nobody at the table is auditing.
Watch for service charges
Many restaurants now add an automatic service charge or large-party gratuity of 18–22%. Check the bill before adding a tip on top — a service charge usually is the tip, though policies on where that money goes vary. When a charge is listed, ask or read the fine print; tipping an extra few percent for exceptional service on top of a service charge is generous but entirely optional.
Frequently asked questions
Is 15% still an acceptable tip?
It won't cause a scene, but US norms have drifted upward — 18–20% is standard for table service, with 15% generally read as a signal of mediocre service.
Should I tip on takeout?
Optional. Many people tip 5–10% on large or complicated takeout orders, and nothing on a simple grab-and-go. Delivery is different — the driver should get 15–20%.
How do we split when one person ordered much more?
Itemized splitting is fair and apps make it painless: each person covers their items plus their proportional share of tax and tip. For small differences, even splits keep dinner friendly — alternate who 'wins' over time.
Do I tip if there's already a service charge?
Generally no — an 18–22% service charge takes the place of the tip. If service was exceptional, an extra 5% or cash directly to your server is a kind gesture, not an obligation.
Why does the per-person amount end in odd cents?
Division rarely lands on round numbers. Round each share up to the next dollar — servers never complain, and the math stays simple.