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Tip Calculator: Bill Split & Per-Person Total

Use this tip calculator to compute the tip on any restaurant bill and split it evenly across the table. Includes optional sales tax for accurate per-person totals.

$
%
ppl
Tip amount$0.00
Total bill (with tip)$0.00
Per person$0.00
Tip per person$0.00
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How this calculator works

Tip math is simple — but two preferences matter. First, do you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total? In the U.S., pre-tax is standard etiquette; tipping on the post-tax amount means tipping the government, which servers don't actually receive.

tip = bill × tip_pct
per_person = (bill + tax + tip) ÷ people
bill
Pre-tax subtotal as printed on the receipt
tip_pct
Your chosen tip rate. U.S. norm: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 0–10% at counter-service
tax
Sales tax on the bill (added to total but typically NOT included in tip base)

For groups, the calculator divides the final total after tip and tax evenly. If diners ordered drastically different amounts, an itemized split is fairer — but the result here is the simplest "just split it" total.

Source: U.S. tipping norms — BLS Occupational Outlook — Waiters & Waitresses (tipped wages). There's no federal regulation on tip amounts; etiquette varies by region and venue type.

FAQ

Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax bill?
U.S. etiquette is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal — sales tax goes to the government, not the server. Tipping on the post-tax total typically adds 1–2% extra. Many tip-suggestion buttons on point-of-sale systems do calculate from post-tax, which is one reason average tips have crept upward.
What's the right tip percentage in 2026?
Sit-down restaurant: 18–20% standard, 25%+ exceptional. Counter-service / take-out: 0–10% (optional). Bartender: $1–2 per drink or 15–20%. Hotel housekeeping: $2–5 per night. Hairdresser/barber: 15–20%. Rideshare: 10–20%. Coffee shop: typically a tip jar, $0.50–$1 per drink is generous.
What about a 'service charge' or 'auto-gratuity'?
If the bill already includes an automatic gratuity (typical for parties of 6+, or some restaurants nationwide), you don't tip on top — read the receipt carefully. The auto-gratuity may not be 100% paid to your server (some states allow restaurants to keep part of it), but you've fulfilled the social tip obligation.
How much should I tip in 2026?
Sit-down restaurants: 18-20% standard, 25%+ exceptional. Counter-service: 0-10% (optional). Bartenders: $1-2/drink or 15-20%. Hotel housekeeping: $2-5/night. Hairdresser: 15-20%. Rideshare: 10-20%. Coffee shop: $0.50-$1/drink.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax bill?
Pre-tax is the U.S. etiquette standard. Sales tax goes to the government, not the server, so tipping on the post-tax total essentially tips the IRS. Many POS systems calculate suggested tips from the post-tax total — that is why average tips have crept upward.
What about an automatic gratuity or service charge?
If the bill includes 'auto-gratuity' (typical for parties of 6+), do not tip on top — read carefully. Auto-gratuity may not go 100% to your server (some states allow restaurants to keep part), but you have fulfilled the social obligation. Same for European-style 'service charge'.
Are tips taxable income?
Yes. The IRS requires servers to report all tips as ordinary income. Most restaurants automatically allocate tip income to W-2s based on the credit card portion. Cash tips are required to be self-reported. Servers in tip-credit states earn a sub-minimum wage, so tips make up the difference.
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