Restaurant Tip Calculator
Enter your pre-tax bill and tax amount, choose a tip, and see the total for one person or an equal group split.
Split between 1 person · 18% tip
Bill breakdown
- Bill subtotal
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- Sales tax
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- Calculated tip
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- Total to pay
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Compare common tip percentages
Compare 10%, 15%, 18%, 20% and 25% tips, bill totals and per-person shares using your exact tax setting.
| Tip % | Tip amount | Bill total | Per person |
|---|
About this restaurant tip calculator
Use this restaurant tip calculator to work out your gratuity, add sales tax and split the total equally. Choose a 15%, 18% or 20% tip, use another preset or enter a custom percentage. You can calculate the tip before or after tax and compare the resulting bill totals instantly.
A tip, also called a gratuity, is an extra amount you choose to leave for service. The tip amount is only that extra payment. The grand total includes the meal, tax, any other charges and the tip. The total per person is each diner's share of the full payment.
How to use the tip and tax calculator
- Enter the meal's pre-tax subtotal in Bill amount.
- Enter the receipt tax in Sales tax. This field takes a money amount, such as $4.80, rather than a percentage rate such as 8%.
- Choose a tip percentage: Leave Include tax in tip unchecked to tip on the subtotal, or check it to include the separately entered tax in the tip basis.
- Enter the number of people for an equal split. Use 1 person if you are paying the whole bill.
- Select Calculate tip to see the tip amount, final bill, and total per person. You can copy the summary, share a pre-filled link with dining partners, or download a card image.
If your entered bill already includes tax, leave the separate tax field empty so you do not add it twice. That makes the entered tax-inclusive amount your tip basis. To calculate a pre-tax tip instead, use the separate subtotal and tax lines from the receipt.
How to calculate a tip, tax and total
Tip amount formula
Tip amount = tip basis × (tip percentage ÷ 100).
The tip basis is the amount you choose to tip on. For a pre-tax tip, it is the meal subtotal. For an after-tax tip, it is the subtotal plus sales tax. For example, 20% of a $50 subtotal is $50 × 0.20 = $10. The bill plus tip is $60, before separate tax or other charges.
Sales tax and grand total formulas
For a standard calculation with one taxable subtotal:
- Sales tax = taxable subtotal × (tax percentage ÷ 100).
- Grand total = meal subtotal + sales tax + tip.
If the meal subtotal is B, the tax rate is s and the tip rate is r, with both rates written as decimals and no other charges:
- Tip before tax:
Total = B × (1 + s + r) - Tip after tax:
Total = B × (1 + s) × (1 + r)
Per-person share formula
- Total per person = grand total ÷ number of people.
- Tip per person = tip amount ÷ number of people.
A $100 subtotal with $8 tax and a $20 tip totals $128. Four people pay $32 each, including $5 of tip each. The $5 tip share is already included in each person's $32 payment.
Should you tip before or after tax?
Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is standard US dining practice. You can also tip on the after-tax total, which leaves a little more for the same selected percentage. The Emily Post Institute explicitly recommends using the pre-tax amount.
| Method | Amount used for tip | Tip | Total including tax and tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before tax (Standard) | $100.00 | $20.00 | $128.00 |
| After tax | $108.00 | $21.60 | $129.60 |
The difference is $1.60, calculated as $8 tax × 20%. Switching the tip basis changes the tip amount slightly, not whether sales tax is paid.
Tip and sales tax word problems: three worked examples
Example 1: Calculate a tip on the amount after sales tax
A meal costs $35 before tax. Sales tax is 4%, and the diner leaves a 19% tip on the amount after sales tax. What is the total cost of the meal with tax and tip?
- Calculate sales tax: $35 × 0.04 = $1.40.
- Add tax to the meal: $35 + $1.40 = $36.40.
- Calculate after-tax tip: $36.40 × 0.19 = $6.916, which rounds to $6.92.
- Add the tip: $36.40 + $6.92 = $43.32.
Answer: The diner pays $43.32, including a $6.92 tip.
Example 2: Find the percent tip backwards
A meal costs $32, and the diner pays $39.36 including the tip but before tax. What percent tip did the diner leave?
- Find tip amount: $39.36 − $32 = $7.36.
- Divide tip by meal price: $7.36 ÷ $32 = 0.23.
- Convert decimal to percentage: 0.23 × 100 = 23%.
Answer: The diner left a 23% tip. (The reverse formula is tip percentage = (tip amount ÷ tip basis) × 100).
Example 3: Apply a coupon, then tip on the original meal price
The original meal subtotal is $80. A coupon gives 20% off, receipt tax is $5.12, and the diner chooses a 20% tip on the original subtotal. How much should the diner pay?
- Calculate discount: $80 × 0.20 = $16.
- Subtract discount from meal: $80 − $16 = $64.
- Calculate tip on original $80: $80 × 0.20 = $16.
- Add discounted meal, tax and tip: $64 + $5.12 + $16 = $85.12.
Answer: The diner pays $85.12, including a $16 tip. Tipping on the original price recognizes the full service provided before the promotional discount.
Tip reference chart: 15%, 18% and 20%
Quick lookup of tips and bill totals for common checks from $15 to $200 (calculated before tax):
| Bill before tip | 15% tip | Total (15%) | 18% tip | Total (18%) | 20% tip | Total (20%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00 | $2.25 | $17.25 | $2.70 | $17.70 | $3.00 | $18.00 |
| $20.00 | $3.00 | $23.00 | $3.60 | $23.60 | $4.00 | $24.00 |
| $25.00 | $3.75 | $28.75 | $4.50 | $29.50 | $5.00 | $30.00 |
| $30.00 | $4.50 | $34.50 | $5.40 | $35.40 | $6.00 | $36.00 |
| $35.00 | $5.25 | $40.25 | $6.30 | $41.30 | $7.00 | $42.00 |
| $40.00 | $6.00 | $46.00 | $7.20 | $47.20 | $8.00 | $48.00 |
| $45.00 | $6.75 | $51.75 | $8.10 | $53.10 | $9.00 | $54.00 |
| $50.00 | $7.50 | $57.50 | $9.00 | $59.00 | $10.00 | $60.00 |
| $60.00 | $9.00 | $69.00 | $10.80 | $70.80 | $12.00 | $72.00 |
| $65.00 | $9.75 | $74.75 | $11.70 | $76.70 | $13.00 | $78.00 |
| $70.00 | $10.50 | $80.50 | $12.60 | $82.60 | $14.00 | $84.00 |
| $75.00 | $11.25 | $86.25 | $13.50 | $88.50 | $15.00 | $90.00 |
| $80.00 | $12.00 | $92.00 | $14.40 | $94.40 | $16.00 | $96.00 |
| $85.00 | $12.75 | $97.75 | $15.30 | $100.30 | $17.00 | $102.00 |
| $90.00 | $13.50 | $103.50 | $16.20 | $106.20 | $18.00 | $108.00 |
| $100.00 | $15.00 | $115.00 | $18.00 | $118.00 | $20.00 | $120.00 |
| $110.00 | $16.50 | $126.50 | $19.80 | $129.80 | $22.00 | $132.00 |
| $120.00 | $18.00 | $138.00 | $21.60 | $141.60 | $24.00 | $144.00 |
| $125.00 | $18.75 | $143.75 | $22.50 | $147.50 | $25.00 | $150.00 |
| $130.00 | $19.50 | $149.50 | $23.40 | $153.40 | $26.00 | $156.00 |
| $140.00 | $21.00 | $161.00 | $25.20 | $165.20 | $28.00 | $168.00 |
| $150.00 | $22.50 | $172.50 | $27.00 | $177.00 | $30.00 | $180.00 |
| $160.00 | $24.00 | $184.00 | $28.80 | $188.80 | $32.00 | $192.00 |
| $175.00 | $26.25 | $201.25 | $31.50 | $206.50 | $35.00 | $210.00 |
| $180.00 | $27.00 | $207.00 | $32.40 | $212.40 | $36.00 | $216.00 |
| $200.00 | $30.00 | $230.00 | $36.00 | $236.00 | $40.00 | $240.00 |
Quick percentage shortcuts
- 10%: Divide the bill by 10. (On $80, tip is $8).
- 15%: Calculate 10%, then add half of that amount. (On $80, $8 + $4 = $12).
- 18%: Calculate 20%, then subtract 2%. (On $80, $16 − $1.60 = $14.40).
- 20%: Calculate 10% and double it, or divide by 5. (On $80, $8 × 2 = $16).
- 25%: Divide the bill by 4. (On $80, tip is $20).
Splitting the bill and practical tipping guidelines
When splitting a bill among dining partners, add all amounts first, then divide equally. For example, for $128 split three ways, the exact share is $42.666… Two people can pay $42.67 and one can pay $42.66 so the payments total exactly $128 down to the cent.
| Situation | Practical starting point |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 15%–20% of pre-tax bill; 20%+ for exceptional service. |
| Takeout you collect | Optional; consider 10% for large or complex pickup orders. |
| Food delivery | 10%–15% ($3–$5 minimum); more in bad weather. |
| Bartender | $1–$2 per drink or 15%–20% of the bar tab. |
| Large group dinner | Check for automatic gratuity (typically 18% for 6+ guests) before adding more. |
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
What is a 20% tip on $50, $100 or $140?
A 20% tip is $10 on $50, $20 on $100 and $28 on $140. The totals are $60, $120 and $168 before any separate sales tax or charges. Multiply the chosen tip basis by 0.20, or find 10% and double it. If you tip after tax, include tax in the basis first.
How do I calculate a 15% tip?
Multiply the tip basis by 0.15. On $50, a 15% tip is $7.50, making $57.50 before separate tax or charges. For a mental shortcut, calculate 10% and add half of that amount: $5 + $2.50 = $7.50.
How do I calculate an 18% tip?
Multiply the tip basis by 0.18. On $50, an 18% tip is $9, giving a $59 total before separate tax or charges. You can also calculate 20% and subtract 2%: $10 − $1 = $9. Choose the 18% preset above to calculate instantly.
Should I tip before or after sales tax?
Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is an accepted US dining practice; tipping after tax gives a slightly larger amount. On a $100 subtotal with $8 tax, a 20% tip is $20 before tax or $21.60 after tax. Enter the subtotal and tax separately. Leave "Include tax in tip" unchecked for pre-tax tipping or check it to calculate on subtotal plus tax.
How do I calculate the total cost of a meal with tax and tip?
Add the food subtotal, sales tax and tip. If the tip applies after tax, calculate it on the subtotal plus tax; if it applies before tax, calculate it on the subtotal alone. For a $35 meal with 4% tax and a 19% after-tax tip: tax = $1.40, tip = $36.40 × 0.19 = $6.92 rounded, and total = $43.32.
How do I calculate sales tax and enter it without counting it twice?
For a simple example with one taxable subtotal, sales tax equals subtotal × tax rate ÷ 100. Enter the resulting money amount in Sales tax; the field takes dollars and cents, not a percentage rate. A $50 taxable meal at 4% tax has $2 tax, so enter 2, not 4. If your bill already includes tax, leave the separate tax field empty.
How do I find the tip percentage if I know the total paid?
Subtract the subtotal, tax and other non-tip charges from the total paid, then divide the remaining tip by your chosen tip basis and multiply by 100. If no tax or other charges apply, tip percentage = (total paid − bill) ÷ bill × 100. For a $32 meal paid as $39.36 before tax, the tip is $7.36 and the rate is 23%.
By what percent does tax and an after-tax tip increase a meal bill?
When the tip is calculated after tax, the combined increase is tax% + tip% + (tax% × tip% ÷ 100), before rounding. A 5.5% tax and 15% after-tax tip increase the subtotal by 21.325%, or 21% to the nearest whole percent. For a pre-tax tip applied to the same subtotal, simply add the two rates: 5.5% + 15% = 20.5%.
How do I split a restaurant bill with tax and tip?
Add the bill, tax, other charges and tip, then divide the total by the number of people. A $100 subtotal, $8 tax and $20 tip total $128, so four diners pay $32 each. This calculator splits equally. Tip per person includes only the gratuity; Total per person includes the full payment.
Should I calculate a tip before or after a coupon or discount?
To recognize the full service, you can base the tip on the original pre-discount subtotal, then add that tip to the discounted amount you actually owe. If a math problem specifies a tip on the discounted bill, use that basis instead. For an $80 meal discounted to $64, 20% of the original price is $16; 20% of the discounted price is $12.80.
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
Emily Post’s Everyday Tipping guidance describes 15%–20% as a standard range for US sit-down service. You can leave more to recognize exceptional service. Check for an included gratuity or service charge before adding another tip.
How much should I tip for takeout, food delivery or drinks?
For US takeout, Emily Post lists tipping as optional, or 10% for extra service. For delivery, 10%–15% is standard depending on weather and difficulty. For bartenders, $1–$2 per drink or 15%–20% of the bar tab is customary.
Should I add another tip when gratuity or a service charge is included?
Check what the existing charge covers before adding another tip. A mandatory service charge and a voluntary tip are different payments, so do not automatically add a second full percentage. Enter existing charges only once; to divide the bill without an additional tip, use 0% tip.
Is it better to tip in cash or by card?
Either works if the restaurant accepts it. If you leave cash, enter zero for the card tip line and keep the card total separate. If you tip by card, verify the total before signing and keep your receipt.
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