How to calculate a tip
Calculating a tip is simple: multiply the bill total by the tip percentage as a decimal. For a 20% tip on a $50 bill, multiply $50 × 0.20 = $10 tip, making the total $60. This calculator does it instantly for any amount and percentage.
Standard tip percentages
10% — Minimal, typically reserved for poor service or takeout orders where tipping is optional.
15% — Below average for sit-down restaurants. Acceptable for adequate but unremarkable service.
18% — The common default for good service. Many restaurants auto-add 18% for large groups.
20% — The current US standard for good service. Easy to calculate — just divide the bill by 5.
25%+ — Excellent service, special occasions, or when you want to make a server's day.
Who do you tip and how much?
In the US, tipping is standard in sit-down restaurants (18–22%), hair salons (15–20%), taxis and rideshares (15–20%), hotel housekeeping ($2–5 per night), food delivery (15–20%), and coffee shops (optional, $1 per drink is common). Tipping is generally not expected at fast food counters, though many now add tip prompts to their screens.
How to split the bill unequally
When people order very different meals, an equal split can feel unfair. Use the "Unequal split" mode above to enter what each person ordered — the calculator will add tip proportionally to each person's subtotal so everyone pays their fair share.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good tip percentage in 2025?
20% has become the standard tip for good service at sit-down restaurants in the US. Before the pandemic, 15–18% was more common. For exceptional service, 25% or more is always appreciated. For takeout and counter service, 10–15% is typical if you choose to tip.
How do you split a bill with different orders?
Use the "Unequal split" tab above. Enter each person's name and the amount they ordered (before tip). The calculator adds each person's proportional share of the tip to their subtotal, so everyone pays fairly based on what they actually ordered.
Should you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Both are acceptable. Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically more accurate, but the difference is small (usually a dollar or two) and most people tip on the total bill for simplicity. Servers appreciate either approach — what matters more is the percentage you choose.
How do you calculate a 20% tip quickly in your head?
Move the decimal one place left to get 10%, then double it. For a $47 bill: 10% = $4.70, doubled = $9.40 tip. Or simply divide the bill by 5 — $47 ÷ 5 = $9.40. Both give you the same answer.
Is it rude to split the bill equally when you ordered less?
It depends on the group. Among close friends where bills roughly balance out over time, equal splits are common and avoid awkwardness. When there's a big difference in what people ordered — like one person got appetizers, entree, and dessert while another had just a salad — an itemized split is more fair. Use the unequal split mode to handle this diplomatically.
Do you tip on alcohol?
Yes, in most cases. Alcohol is typically included in the bill total that you tip on. Bartenders generally expect 15–20% on drinks, or $1–2 per drink at a bar. Some people tip less on expensive bottles of wine (10–15%) since the percentage on a $200 bottle would otherwise be unusually high.