Calculate tip and split any restaurant bill among multiple people. Enter the bill amount, tip percentage, and number of people to see exactly what each person pays.
enter bill details
Bill amount ($)
Tip percentage
Number of people
Result (click to copy)
Splitting Fairly
Equal split assumes equal orders
This calculator divides the total evenly. If people ordered very differently (one person had drinks, another just an appetizer), an equal split may feel unfair — consider itemizing instead for uneven orders.
Round up for convenience
If per-person amounts land on an awkward number, rounding up slightly (and letting the extra go toward a bigger tip) avoids the hassle of collecting exact change from a group.
Card splitting has its own fees
Some card readers charge a fee per split transaction. For larger groups, it's often simpler for one person to pay and be reimbursed via a payment app.
How to Use the Tip Split Calculator
Enter total bill amount — the full restaurant or service bill before tip.
Select tip percentage — choose from standard options or consider service quality: exceptional = 25%, good = 20%, average = 15%, below average = 10%.
Set number of people — how many people are splitting the bill equally.
Read per-person amount — each person's share including their portion of the tip.
Check quick reference table — the calculator shows tip amounts at multiple percentages simultaneously, making it easy to choose the right amount quickly.
🍽️ When to tip more: Large groups (automatic gratuity of 18–20% is standard for 6+ people). Special requests or modifications. Exceptional service or going above expectations. Holiday dining when staff work special shifts. Splitting bills creates extra work for servers — tip accordingly.
Bill Splitting Strategies
💰 Equal Split
Simplest method — total including tip ÷ number of people. Fair when everyone ordered similarly priced items. Creates friction when one person had a $15 salad and another had a $55 steak and cocktails.
📊 Itemised Split
Each person pays for what they ordered plus their share of shared items and tip. Most accurate but requires time and calculation. Apps like Splitwise, Tab, and Settle Up simplify this process significantly.
🔄 Rotating Payer
One person pays the full bill this time, another pays next time. Works well for regular dining groups with similar spending habits. Averages out over multiple meals without per-visit calculation.
💳 Card Splitting
Many restaurants will split the bill across multiple cards upon request — just ask the server before ordering. Specify the split clearly: 'Please split evenly across these 4 cards' or 'Please put $X on each card.'
📱 Payment Apps
Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Zelle make post-meal settlement easy. One person pays the full bill (earning any credit card rewards), others pay their share via app. Faster than splitting cards at the restaurant.
🌍 Tipping Internationally
Research local norms before dining abroad. Overtipping in Japan or Korea can cause offence. Under-tipping in the US leaves servers unable to cover their living expenses. Tipping norms are deeply cultural — treat them as such.
Group Dining Economics
The large group dynamics
Studies show people order more expensive items when splitting bills equally than when paying individually — a phenomenon called the 'shared payment effect.' Each person internalises only their fraction of the marginal cost. At a 10-person equal split, a $20 upgrade to a premium dish costs each person only $2 psychologically, even though the actual cost to them is $2 and the restaurant charges $20. Awareness of this effect helps groups make more mindful ordering decisions.
Handling different dietary needs
When dietary restrictions, alcohol consumption, or significantly different courses create unequal bills, itemised splitting is fairest. The non-drinker who ordered a $15 meal should not subsidise those who ordered $80 in wine and steak. A simple approach: calculate food subtotal, split that equally, then add alcohol costs only for those who drank, plus tip on the full amount.
Automatic gratuity for large groups
Most restaurants automatically add 18–20% gratuity for groups of 6 or more. This appears on the bill as 'service charge' or 'gratuity.' Check your bill carefully — adding a standard tip on top of already-included gratuity results in double-tipping. You are welcome to add more if service was exceptional, but the automatic gratuity is the full intended tip.
💡 Simplest group tip calculation: To calculate 20% tip mentally — double the bill and move the decimal: $87.50 bill × 2 = $175, move decimal = $17.50 tip. Round to $18 for simplicity. For 15%: take 10% ($8.75) + half of that ($4.37) = $13.12. These mental shortcuts eliminate the need for a calculator for standard tip amounts.
Bill Split Formula
Per Person = (Bill + Tip) ÷ Number of People, where Tip = Bill × Tip % ÷ 100
Worked example
A $120 bill split 4 ways at 20% tip: Tip = $120 × 20 ÷ 100 = $24, Total = $144. Per person = $144 ÷ 4 = $36, of which $6 is that person's share of the tip.
Avoid These Mistakes
Double-tipping on a service charge
Large-party bills often already include an automatic gratuity. Check the bill before adding a full tip on top — you may only need to adjust up for exceptional service.
Splitting evenly on very uneven orders
An equal split is fast but can shortchange someone who ordered a salad while others ordered steak and drinks. For big price gaps, it's worth itemizing instead.
Forgetting the tip when estimating "your share"
The bill total isn't what each person owes — tip and even split math both need to be applied before you know the actual per-person amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip?
US standard: 15-20% for sit-down restaurants. 10% for buffets. 10-15% for takeout (optional). 18-20% for bars. 15-20% for taxi/rideshare. 15-20% for hotel housekeeping per night. Higher for exceptional service.
How do I split a bill evenly?
Add the bill amount to the tip, then divide by the number of people. Example: $80 bill + $16 tip (20%) = $96 total ÷ 4 people = $24 per person. This calculator shows the exact per-person amount instantly.
Should I tip on pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically correct and most common. However, the difference is small and tipping on the total (post-tax) is also acceptable, especially when the service was excellent.
References
📄 Restaurant policy
Automatic gratuity thresholds and rates for large parties vary by restaurant — check your bill or ask staff before adding a tip on top of an included service charge.
🌍 Tipping customs vary by country
The percentages on this page reflect common US practice. Tipping norms differ significantly outside the US — some countries include service by law, others consider tipping unusual. Check local custom when traveling.