How to Calculate a Tip and Split the Bill Fairly

The bill arrives, everyone reaches for their phone, and someone says "just split it evenly?" A tip and a few extra people turn a simple sum into an awkward one. Here's how to do it quickly and fairly.

Friends sharing a dinner at a restaurant table

The tip formula

Tip = bill × tip percentage ÷ 100, and total = bill + tip.

On a $64 bill with an 18% tip: 64 × 0.18 = $11.52, so the total is $75.52.

Mental shortcuts

You don't need a calculator for a rough figure:

10%: move the decimal point one place left. On $64, that's $6.40.
15%: take 10%, then add half of it ($6.40 + $3.20 = $9.60).
20%: take 10% and double it ($12.80).

Round the result to something sensible — nobody tips $11.52 by hand.

How much to tip

Tipping customs differ hugely. In the United States, 15–20% is typical in restaurants. In many countries in Europe and Asia a tip is small, optional, or already included as a service charge. When in doubt, check the bill for a service charge and ask a local what's normal.

Splitting the bill

For an even split: each person pays (bill + tip) ÷ number of people.

$75.52 between 4 people is $18.88 each. When the number doesn't divide cleanly, there are two fair options:

Round up per person so the table covers the total, with the extra going to the server as a slightly bigger tip.
Have one person pay and collect by bank transfer, using the exact share.

If people ordered very different amounts, an even split isn't fair. Add up each person's own items first, then split the tip in proportion.

Paying a restaurant bill by card

Do it with a calculator

The Tip Calculator has quick buttons for 10, 15, 18, 20 and 25%, splits the total between any number of people, and can round each share up to a whole amount. It shows the tip, the total and what each person pays.

Common mistakes

Tipping on top of a service charge that's already on the bill.
Tipping on the pre-tax or post-tax amount inconsistently. Either is acceptable — just decide before you calculate.
Forgetting shared items. Appetisers and bottles of wine should be split by everyone, not just the person who ordered them.

FAQ

Should I tip on the pre-tax amount? Many people do, and it's perfectly acceptable. Tipping on the full total is also common, and slightly more generous.

How do I tip for delivery? Common guidance is around 10–15%, or a flat amount for short distances and bad weather.

What if my share isn't a round number? Round up. A few cents each covers the difference and is easier than collecting exact change.

Try it now

Enter your bill in the free Tip Calculator and you'll have every share in seconds.