Question 1

How do I calculate a tip?

Accepted Answer

Enter your bill amount and select or enter your desired tip percentage (typically 15-20% in the US). Our calculator instantly shows the tip amount and total bill. For bill splitting, enter the number of people to see each person's share. The formula is simple: Tip = Bill Amount × (Tip Percentage ÷ 100). For example, a $50 bill with 20% tip = $50 × 0.20 = $10 tip, totaling $60. The calculator handles all the math automatically, making it easy to determine appropriate gratuity and split costs fairly among your dining group.

Question 2

What is the standard tipping percentage?

Accepted Answer

Tipping customs vary by country and service quality. In the United States, standard restaurant tips are 15-20% of the pre-tax bill: 15% for adequate service, 18% for good service, 20% or more for excellent service. For poor service, 10% is acceptable, though consider speaking to management about issues. Other services have different standards: bartenders get $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of tab, food delivery 15-20%, hairdressers 15-20%, taxi drivers 10-15%, hotel housekeeping $2-5 per night. Some countries like Japan don't have tipping culture, while European countries may include service charges in bills.

Question 3

Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?

Accepted Answer

Etiquette experts generally recommend tipping on the pre-tax amount (the subtotal before sales tax is added). This is the traditional standard in the United States. However, many people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity, especially when the difference is small. Both practices are socially acceptable. For large bills where the tax is significant, tipping on pre-tax is more economical. Our calculator shows both options so you can choose your preference. The most important factor is tipping fairly for good service, whether you calculate on pre-tax or post-tax amounts.

Question 4

How do I split a bill with different orders?

Accepted Answer

Our basic calculator splits bills equally among all diners. For unequal splits where people ordered different amounts, you have options: 1) Use the calculator multiple times for each person's subtotal plus their share of tax/tip, 2) Have each person calculate their meal cost + proportional tax, then apply tip percentage, 3) Split equally if amounts are similar for simplicity and group harmony. Many restaurants can split bills by seat or item. For recurring groups with unequal orders, consider alternating who pays or using payment apps that allow itemized splitting. Equal splitting works well when everyone ordered similarly priced items.

Question 5

When should I tip more or less than standard?

Accepted Answer

Tip more (25-30%+) for exceptional service, complex orders, difficult dietary accommodations, large groups (6+ people), slow periods when servers have fewer tables, or when service exceeded expectations. Also tip generously during holidays, if you're a regular customer, or to support service workers during difficult times. Tip standard (15-20%) for normal, competent service. Tip less (10-12%) only for genuinely poor service due to server error (not kitchen delays). If service is unacceptable, speak with management rather than leaving no tip. Never reduce tips because of food quality—that's not the server's fault unless they were inattentive when issues arose.

Question 6

Is the tip calculator free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our tip calculator is completely free to use with no registration, downloads, or hidden fees. Calculate tips, split bills, and compare different tip percentages as many times as you need. The tool works entirely in your browser with no data stored or transmitted. Use it for restaurant dining, bar tabs, food delivery, or any service requiring gratuity calculation. It's mobile-friendly so you can calculate tips right at the table or while reviewing your bill. No ads interrupt your calculations, making it fast and easy to determine fair tips and split costs among your group.

Question 7

What about automatic gratuity on large groups?

Accepted Answer

Many restaurants automatically add 18-20% gratuity (service charge) to bills for parties of 6 or more people. This ensures servers are compensated fairly for the extra work large groups require. Always check your bill for automatic gratuity before adding additional tip—it will be listed as "gratuity," "service charge," or "auto-grat." If excellent service deserves more, you can add extra tip beyond the automatic amount. If automatic gratuity is added but service was poor, you may request to speak with management. Note that mandatory service charges are taxable income, while voluntary tips have different tax treatment.

Question 8

How do I tip for takeout and delivery orders?

Accepted Answer

For takeout orders picked up yourself, 10% tip is customary if staff packaged your order carefully, included utensils and condiments, and provided good service. No tip is required for simple pickups, but it's appreciated. For delivery orders, tip 15-20% of the order total (minimum $3-5 for small orders). Consider distance, weather conditions, and delivery difficulty—tip more for far distances, bad weather, or complex delivery instructions. Delivery app fees don't go to drivers. During peak times or when ordering from busy restaurants, generous tips encourage timely service.

Question 9

Can I calculate tips for multiple bills at once?

Accepted Answer

The calculator processes one bill at a time for accuracy and clarity. This ensures you can carefully review each calculation, adjust tip percentages based on individual service quality, and split each bill appropriately for different group sizes. For multiple bills (like separate tabs for different parties), use the calculator once per bill. The instant calculation speed makes this quick and easy. This approach prevents confusion and ensures accurate tipping for each transaction, which is especially important when dealing with different service providers or separate dining occasions.

Question 10

Does the calculator store my bill amounts?

Accepted Answer

No! All calculations happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your bill amounts, tip percentages, and split calculations are never sent to or stored on our servers. Your financial information and spending habits remain completely private on your device. The calculator works offline once loaded and doesn't require an internet connection for calculations. Even your browser history doesn't store the values you enter. This ensures complete privacy for all your dining expenses and tipping decisions, whether for personal meals or business dining.

Tip Calculator & Bill Splitter

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