Tipping maths is simple and still regularly gets done wrong at the table, usually under time pressure with a group waiting. This handles the percentage and the split in one step.
How to use the Tip Calculator
- Enter the bill amount
- Choose a tip percentage
- Set how many people are splitting it
- Read the per-person total
Tipping customs by country
Expectations vary enormously, and over-tipping where it is not customary can be as awkward as under-tipping where it is.
- United States — 18–20% is standard in restaurants, 15% is the low end and read as dissatisfaction. Service staff are often paid below minimum wage on the assumption of tips.
- United Kingdom — 10–15%, and frequently already added as a service charge. Check before adding more.
- India — 5–10%, often rounded up. Many restaurants add a service charge, which is legally optional.
- Japan, South Korea — not customary and can cause genuine confusion.
- Most of Europe — service is typically included; rounding up is normal rather than a percentage.
Tip before or after tax
Strictly, the tip is for the service, so the pre-tax subtotal is the correct base. In practice most people calculate on the total because it is easier, which on a 10% tax adds roughly 2% to a 20% tip.
Where a service charge has already been applied, that generally is the tip — adding a further 15% on top means tipping twice. Read the bill before reaching for the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Pre-tax is the technically correct base, since the tip is for service rather than tax. Most people use the total for convenience; the difference is small.
Is a service charge the same as a tip?
Usually yes — it is a tip applied automatically. Adding another tip on top means paying twice. In India, service charges are not legally mandatory and can be contested.
How much should I tip for delivery?
10–15% is typical, with a floor of a couple of units of currency on small orders. Many people tip more in bad weather, when the job is genuinely harder.
How do I split unevenly?
This splits evenly. For uneven splits, calculate each person's share of the subtotal, then apply the same tip percentage to each share — that keeps it proportional and uncontroversial.