How the tip is calculated
The amount tipped on is the whole bill, or the bill minus tax if you choose to tip on the pre-tax amount.
Worked example
Three people share a bill of 86.40, which includes 6.40 of tax. They leave 18%.
| Option | Tip | Total | Each pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18% of the full bill (86.40) | 15.55 | 101.95 | 33.98 |
| 18% of the pre-tax amount (80.00) | 14.40 | 100.80 | 33.60 |
| Pre-tax, each share rounded up | 15.60 | 102.00 | 34.00 |
| Pre-tax, total rounded up | 14.60 | 101.00 | 33.67 |
Rounding each share up to 34 makes the real tip 19.5% of the pre-tax amount. Rounding only the total up to 101 makes it 18.25%. The calculator shows the effective percentage whenever you round.
Tip before or after tax?
Tax is not part of the service, so many people tip on the pre-tax amount. Others tip on the total because it's quicker. The difference is small on most bills: 1.15 in the example above. Either is common; choose what feels fair.
Quick mental maths
- 10%: move the decimal point one place left. 10% of 64.00 is 6.40.
- 15%: 10%, plus half of it again. On 60, that's 6 + 3 = 9.
- 20%: double the 10% figure. On 45, that's 4.50 × 2 = 9.
- 25%: divide the bill by 4. On 80, that's 20.
Round the result to a convenient amount and you are close enough for most situations.
Tipping customs by country
Customs vary by country, by city and by type of business. Treat these as general guides, not rules:
| Country | Sit-down restaurants |
|---|---|
| United States | 15–20% is customary. Servers' pay often relies on tips. |
| United Kingdom | 10–12.5% where a service charge isn't already on the bill. Check before adding more. |
| Japan | Generally no tipping. Good service is expected, and a tip may be politely refused. |
| India | 5–10% where there's no service charge. A service charge is voluntary: under guidelines from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), restaurants can't add it automatically or make you pay it. |
Many other countries round up the bill or leave small change rather than a fixed percentage. If you're unsure, check whether the bill already includes service, and ask locally.
Tips for splitting the bill
- Round each share up when people pay in cash, so nobody needs change. The extra goes to the tip.
- Split unevenly? Work out each person's items first, then apply the same tip percentage to each subtotal.
- Check for a service charge before tipping, so you don't pay for service twice.
- Paying abroad by card? Your bank's conversion may cost extra. See the exchange rate markup calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a 15% tip?
How do I calculate a 20% tip?
Should I tip on the total or before tax?
How does rounding up work?
Do I have to pay a service charge in India?
Last updated . How we check our tools.