Tip Calculator - Calculate Restaurant Tips & Split Bills

Our free tip calculator helps you quickly determine the appropriate tip amount for restaurants, delivery services, and other tipping situations. Calculate tips by percentage, split bills among multiple people, and see your total including gratuity - all in seconds.

What is Tipping?

Tipping (also called gratuity) is the practice of giving money to service workers beyond the stated cost of goods or services. In the United States, tipping is an essential part of many service workers’ income, as many industries pay below minimum wage with the expectation that tips will supplement earnings.

Why Tipping Matters in the US

Federal tipped minimum wage: $2.13/hour (as of 2026) Standard minimum wage: $7.25/hour

Service workers in restaurants, bars, and other tipped positions rely on gratuities to earn a living wage. While tipping customs vary globally, in the US it’s not optional - it’s expected for good service.

Standard Tipping Guidelines by Service

Restaurants and Dining

Full-Service Restaurants

Standard tip range: 15-20%

Service Quality	Tip Percentage	When to Use
Poor	10-12%	Significant service problems
Acceptable	15%	Basic, satisfactory service
Good	18-20%	Attentive, friendly service
Excellent	20-25%+	Outstanding, memorable service

Important notes:

• Tip on pre-tax amount (before sales tax)
• For large parties (6+), 18-20% gratuity often automatically added
• Tip even if using coupons or gift cards (based on full bill value)

Buffets and Counter Service

Buffet restaurants: 10% (server still brings drinks, clears plates) Counter service (fast casual): $1-2 or tip jar Food trucks: 10-15% optional Coffee shops: $1-2 per drink or 15-20% for larger orders

Fine Dining

Standard tip: 20-25%

Additional considerations:

• Wine steward/sommelier: 10-15% of wine bill or $10-20
• Coat check: $1-2 per coat
• Valet parking: $2-5
• Restroom attendant: $1-2

Delivery Services

Food Delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub)

Minimum tip: $3-5 Standard tip: 15-20% of order total

Increase tip for:

• Poor weather conditions (+$2-5)
• Large or complex orders (+5%)
• Long distance from restaurant (+$2-5)
• Stairs or difficult access (+$2-3)

Note: Many delivery apps suggest tips, but drivers rely heavily on tips for income.

Pizza Delivery

Standard tip: $3-5 minimum or 15-20% (whichever is greater)

Example:

• $20 pizza order → $4-5 tip
• $50 pizza order → $7.50-10 tip

Grocery/Alcohol Delivery

Standard tip: 10-20% based on order size and difficulty

Bars and Bartenders

Standard tips:

• Per drink: $1-2 per drink
• Beer/wine: $1 per drink
• Cocktails: $2 per drink or 15-20% of tab
• Running tab: 15-20% at end of night

Example:

• 1 beer ($6) → $1 tip
• Craft cocktail ($14) → $2-3 tip
• Bar tab ($50) → $10 tip (20%)

Hair Salons and Barbers

Hairstylist: 15-20% of service cost Shampoo person: $3-5 Colorist: 15-20% if different from stylist Salon owner: Tipping optional but appreciated

Examples:

• $50 haircut → $10 tip (20%)
• $150 color + cut → $30 tip (20%)
• $25 basic haircut → $5 tip (20%)

Personal Services

Spa Services

• Massage therapist: 15-20%
• Facial specialist: 15-20%
• Manicurist: 15-20%
• Pedicurist: 15-20%

Example: $80 massage → $16 tip (20%)

Beauty Services

• Makeup artist: 15-20%
• Waxing specialist: 15-20%
• Tattoo artist: 15-20%

Hotel Services

Housekeeping: $2-5 per night (leave daily, not at checkout) Bellhop: $1-2 per bag Concierge: $5-20 depending on service complexity Room service: 15-20% if not already included Valet: $2-5 when car is returned

Transportation

Taxi/Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)

Standard tip: 15-20%

Increase for:

• Assistance with luggage
• Multiple stops
• Conversation and friendliness
• Clean vehicle

Decrease for:

• Rude behavior
• Unsafe driving
• Unclean vehicle

Airport Shuttle

Standard tip: $2-3 per person or $5 per party

Other Services

Tour guides: 15-20% of tour cost or $5-10 per person Dog groomer: 15-20% Pet sitter: $5-10 per day or 15-20% of total Movers: $20-30 per person for full-day move Car wash attendants: $2-5 Furniture delivery: $5-10 per person

How to Calculate Tips Quickly

The Double Tax Method (US only)

In areas with ~8% sales tax:

1. Look at tax amount on receipt
2. Double it for ~16% tip
3. Adjust up or down as needed

Example:

• Bill: $50
• Tax (8%): $4
• Tip (double tax): $8 (16%)

The Round Up Method

1. Move decimal point left one place (÷10)
2. Double that number for 20%
3. Round to convenient amount

Example:

• Bill: $67.43
• ÷10 = $6.74
• ×2 = $13.48
• Round to $13-14

The Percentage Method

15% tip:

1. Calculate 10% (move decimal left)
2. Add half of that amount

Example:

• Bill: $80
• 10% = $8
• Half of that = $4
• Total tip: $8 + $4 = $12

20% tip:

1. Calculate 10% (move decimal left)
2. Double it

Example:

• Bill: $80
• 10% = $8
• ×2 = $16

Splitting Bills and Tips

Equal Split (Everyone Pays Same Amount)

Formula: (Total Bill + Tip) ÷ Number of People

Example:

• Bill: $120
• Tip (20%): $24
• Total: $144
• Per person (4 people): $144 ÷ 4 = $36

Itemized Split (Pay for What You Ordered)

Steps:

1. Calculate each person’s subtotal
2. Add proportional tax and tip
3. Round up for simplicity

Example:

• Person A ordered: $30 (+ tax/tip = $38)
• Person B ordered: $20 (+ tax/tip = $25)
• Person C ordered: $25 (+ tax/tip = $32)

Unequal Consumption (Someone Had Drinks/Appetizers)

Fair approach:

• Split shared items equally
• Individual items paid by orderer
• Tip on total, split proportionally

Tipping Etiquette and Best Practices

When to Tip More (20-25%+)

• Exceptional service: Above and beyond expectations
• Complicated orders: Dietary restrictions, modifications
• Large groups: Extra work for server
• Holidays: Christmas, New Year’s, etc.
• Struggling restaurant: Supporting small business
• Learning opportunity: Being patient with new servers
• Free items: Manager comped something, tip on original price

When Lower Tips May Be Appropriate (10-15%)

• Poor service: Inattentive, rude, or incorrect orders
• Not server’s fault: Kitchen delays don’t justify low tip
• Counter service: Self-service situations
• Already included gratuity: Check receipt first

Never Reduce Tip For

• Food quality issues: Kitchen’s fault, not server
• Long waits due to understaffing: Management issue
• High food prices: Tip is based on service quality
• Busy restaurant: Server working hard despite chaos

Tipping in Special Situations

Using Coupons or Discounts

Always tip on the original price before discount

Example:

• Original bill: $100
• 50% off coupon: $50 bill
• Tip on $100 → $20 (20%)

Comped or Free Items

Tip as if you paid full price

Example:

• Bill would have been: $75
• Manager comped dessert: -$15
• Final bill: $60
• Tip on $75 → $15 (20%)

Splitting Checks

Tip individually, not as a group

• Each person tips on their portion
• Prevents undertipping due to confusion
• Ensures server receives fair compensation

Gift Cards

Tip on service received, not just out-of-pocket

Example:

• Bill: $100
• Gift card: $75
• You pay: $25
• Tip on $100 → $20 (not on $25)

Cultural Differences in Tipping

Tipping in the United States

• Expected: Near-mandatory for good service
• Standard: 15-20% for restaurants
• Income: Servers often earn $2-3/hour + tips
• Custom: Deeply ingrained in service culture

International Tipping Customs

No tipping expected:

• Japan (can be offensive)
• China (increasingly changing in touristy areas)
• South Korea

Service charge included:

• France (service compris)
• Italy (coperto/servizio)
• UK (discretionary service charge often added)
• Australia (higher minimum wage)

Rounding up common:

• Germany (round to nearest euro)
• Spain (5-10% or round up)
• Mexico (10-15% in tourist areas)

US-style tipping:

• Canada (15-20%)
• Some Caribbean countries

Technology and Tipping

Digital Tipping Prompts

Many payment systems now suggest tips:

Point-of-sale screens:

• Often suggest 15%, 18%, 20%, 25%
• Percentages sometimes calculated on post-tax amount
• Can create “tip creep” (pressure to tip more)

Best practice: Calculate your own tip based on service quality

Tip Creep and Tipping Fatigue

Tip creep: Expectation of higher tip percentages over time

• 1950s-1980s: 10-15% standard
• 1990s-2010s: 15-18% standard
• 2020s: 18-20% becoming standard

Tipping fatigue: Requests for tips in non-traditional settings

• Counter service with no table service
• Retail stores
• Self-checkout kiosks
• Online purchases

Your choice: Tipping at non-traditional venues is discretionary

Cashless Tipping

Benefits:

• Easier to calculate exact percentages
• Digital record of tip
• Can tip when you don’t have cash

Drawbacks:

• Server may not receive full amount (credit card fees)
• Delayed payment (end of shift/pay period)
• Cash is often preferred by service workers

Tax Implications of Tips

For Service Workers

Tips are taxable income:

• Must report all tips to employer
• Subject to federal income tax
• Subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes
• Large tips ($20+/month) must be reported

For Customers

Tips are generally not tax-deductible unless:

• Business meal with client (50% deductible)
• Business travel expenses
• Work-related entertainment (limited deductibility)

Common Tipping Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Carrying Cash

Some situations require cash tips:

• Valet parking
• Coat check
• Housekeeping
• Street vendors

Solution: Keep $1, $5, and $10 bills handy

2. Undertipping on Small Bills

$1 tip on $5 coffee ≈ 20% ✓ $0.75 tip on $5 coffee ≈ 15% but seems cheap ✗

Rule: Minimum $1-2 for service, even on small transactions

3. Forgetting to Tip Delivery Drivers

Remember: Delivery drivers often rely entirely on tips

• Use gas and vehicle maintenance
• Risk traffic and weather
• Minimum $3-5 even for small orders

4. Tipping Only on Discounted Amount

Always tip on original price before discounts/coupons

5. Not Adjusting for Group Size

Large parties require extra work:

• Coordinating multiple orders
• Managing split checks
• More refills and requests

Solution: 20% minimum for groups of 6+

6. Assuming Tip is Included

Always check your receipt:

• Look for “gratuity,” “service charge,” or “tip”
• Large parties often have automatic 18-20% added
• Don’t double-tip accidentally

7. Poor Handwriting on Tip Line

Write clearly:

• Use numbers and words (“$15” and “Fifteen”)
• Draw line through blank spaces
• Total amount should match bill + tip

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tipping required in the US?

Legally, no. Culturally and practically, yes. Service workers in the US often earn $2-5/hour plus tips. Not tipping deprives them of expected income. Only withhold tips for truly egregious service, and consider speaking with a manager instead.

Should I tip on tax?

No, the standard is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal. However, the difference is usually minimal (15% on $100 vs 15% on $108 = $0.40 difference), so many people don’t bother calculating separately.

How much should I tip for takeout?

10-15% is appropriate for takeout, or $1-3 for small orders. Someone still packaged your food, checked it for accuracy, and provided service. Tipping less than dine-in is acceptable since there’s no table service.

What if service was bad but it wasn’t the server’s fault?

Tip normally if the server was attentive and friendly but kitchen delays or management issues occurred. Speak with a manager about the problems instead of penalizing the server. Only reduce tips for poor service directly attributed to the server.

Can I tip with a credit card, or should it be cash?

Both are acceptable. Credit card tips are trackable and convenient, but cash tips may be received faster and avoid credit card processing fees. Many servers prefer cash, but credit card tips are better than no tip.

Should I tip the owner of a business?

Traditionally, no. Owners set their own prices and don’t rely on tips. However, tipping is increasingly accepted and appreciated even for owners, especially in small businesses. It’s never wrong to tip.

How do I tip when using a gift card?

Tip based on the full value of the service received, not just what you paid out of pocket. If your $100 meal was covered by a $75 gift card, tip $20 (20% of $100), not $5 (20% of your $25 expense).

Is it ever okay not to tip?

Only in cases of exceptionally poor, intentionally rude, or unprofessional service. Even then, consider speaking with a manager. In situations where service is included (some hotels, cruise ships), tipping may not be necessary, but always check.

Conclusion

Tipping is an essential part of American service culture, and understanding proper gratuity helps ensure fair compensation for service workers while maintaining social norms. This free tip calculator makes it easy to calculate appropriate tips, split bills among groups, and determine total costs including gratuity.

Whether dining at restaurants, ordering delivery, or receiving personal services, knowing standard tipping percentages and being prepared to tip appropriately demonstrates respect for service workers and their labor.

Use our calculator to tip confidently and fairly every time!

Remember: When in doubt, err on the side of generosity. Service workers remember good tippers and provide excellent service in return.

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Important Note: Tipping customs and expectations vary by region, culture, and situation. The guidelines provided reflect common US tipping practices as of 2026. Always consider the quality of service, local customs, and your ability to tip when determining appropriate gratuity. This calculator is for educational and convenience purposes only and does not constitute financial or professional advice.