Free Online Tool

Tip Calculator
& Bill Splitter

Enter your bill, pick a tip percentage, and instantly see how much everyone pays. No math, no hassle — works on any device, completely free.

$
%
Tip Amount
$0.00
per table
Total Bill
$0.00
bill + tip
Per Person
$0.00
each pays

Tip Guide: How Much to Tip in Every Situation

Tipping can feel confusing — especially when you're in a new city, dining at an unfamiliar restaurant, or receiving a service you don't know the etiquette for. The right tip depends on the type of service, the quality of your experience, and local customs. Our tip guide covers every common situation so you always know how much to leave.

In the United States, tipping is a deeply embedded cultural practice. Unlike many other countries, American service workers — particularly restaurant servers and bartenders — are often paid below minimum wage with the legal expectation that tips will supplement their income. A standard tip of 18–20% at a sit-down restaurant is not just courtesy; for many workers it is essential income.

ServiceStandard TipExceptionalNotes
Restaurant (sit-down)18 – 20%25%+Tip on pre-tax amount
Café / Counter service10 – 15%20%Optional but appreciated
Food delivery15 – 20%$5 minimumTip the driver directly
Taxi / Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)10 – 15%20%More for luggage help
Hotel housekeeper$2 – $5 / night$5 – $10Leave daily, not at checkout
Hair salon / Barber15 – 20%25%Tip your stylist directly
Spa / Massage therapist15 – 20%25%Check if gratuity is included
Bartender$1 – $2 / drink20% of tabAt least $1 for simple drinks
Tour guide$5 – $10 / person$15 – $20Per day for extended tours
Valet parking$2 – $5$10Tip when picking up car
Movers / Furniture delivery$20 – $50 / person$50 – $100Based on difficulty of move
Tattoo artist15 – 20%25%Always tip your artist

← Swipe left to see more →

How to Calculate a Tip — 3 Simple Methods

While our tip calculator handles all the math instantly, it's useful to know how to calculate a tip by hand — especially when your phone battery is dead or you're splitting the bill quickly at the table. Here are three foolproof mental math methods used by millions of diners.

🧮
The Standard Formula
Tip = Bill Amount × (Tip % ÷ 100)
Total = Bill Amount + Tip
Per Person = Total ÷ Number of People

Method 1 — The 10% Trick

The quickest mental math shortcut: find 10% of the bill by moving the decimal point one place to the left. On a $68 bill, 10% = $6.80. From there you can easily calculate any percentage: double it for 20% ($13.60), add half for 15% ($10.20), or multiply by 2.5 for 25% ($17).

Method 2 — Divide by 5

Dividing the total bill by 5 gives you exactly a 20% tip — the most common tipping amount in the US. The division is easy: $75 ÷ 5 = $15 tip, making the total $90. This method works especially well for round numbers and is the fastest way to land on a 20% tip.

Method 3 — Round Up to a Clean Total

Add a tip that brings the total to a satisfying round number. On a $43.50 bill, rounding to $52 gives approximately a 19.5% tip — perfectly fair and easy to split. Many experienced diners use this method because it simplifies cash payments and mental arithmetic at the table.

Tipping Customs Around the World

One of the most important things to know when traveling internationally is that tipping customs vary dramatically between countries. What's expected in the United States may be considered rude in Japan, or simply unusual in much of Europe. Understanding local tipping etiquette before you travel helps you avoid awkward situations and shows respect for local culture.

🇺🇸 United States
18 – 20% standard
Expected at restaurants, taxis, salons. Essential for service workers' income.
🇨🇦 Canada
15 – 20%
Similar to the US. Expected at restaurants and for most personal services.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
10 – 15%
Common at restaurants. Check if service charge is already included in the bill.
🇦🇺 Australia
0 – 10%
Not expected but appreciated. Minimum wage is higher so tipping is optional.
🇯🇵 Japan
Not customary
Tipping can be considered rude. Exceptional service is simply expected.
🇩🇪 Germany
5 – 10%
Round up the bill or leave small change. Say the desired total when paying.
🇫🇷 France
5 – 10%
Service charge is often included (service compris). Extra tip is optional.
🇲🇽 Mexico
10 – 15%
Expected at tourist restaurants. Always tip in the local currency when possible.
🇧🇷 Brazil
10% (included)
A 10% service charge (taxa de serviço) is automatically added to most bills.
🇨🇳 China
Not customary
Tipping is not expected and can sometimes be refused. Exceptions at tourist spots.
🇮🇳 India
10%
Expected at upscale restaurants. Round up for casual dining and street food.
🇿🇦 South Africa
10 – 15%
Important for service workers. Tip in cash when possible to ensure it reaches staff.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping

In the United States, the standard restaurant tip is 15% for adequate service, 18% for good service, and 20% for excellent service. For truly outstanding service, 25% or more is a wonderful way to show appreciation. Many diners today default to 18–20% as a baseline, regardless of service quality, because servers often earn below minimum wage and depend on tips. Outside the US, customs vary widely — always research local practices before traveling.
The fastest method is to divide the bill by 5. On a $45 bill: $45 ÷ 5 = $9 tip, making your total $54. Alternatively, find 10% of the bill (move the decimal left one place) and then double it. For a $45 bill: 10% = $4.50, doubled = $9.00. Both methods give you exactly 20% and can be done in seconds without a calculator.
Etiquette experts traditionally recommend tipping on the pre-tax amount, since the quality of your service has nothing to do with your local tax rate. In practice, most people tip on the total bill including tax — it's simpler and the dollar difference on an average meal is only $1–2. Either approach is widely accepted by servers and neither is considered inappropriate.
For rideshare services, 10–15% is the standard for a typical, smooth ride. Tip 15–20% for exceptional service — a very clean car, help with heavy luggage, good conversation, or navigating difficult traffic. For very short trips under $5, a flat $1–2 tip is appropriate since a percentage would be too small to be meaningful. You can tip through the app within 30 days of the ride.
Use the "Number of People" field in our tip calculator above. Enter the total bill and your desired tip percentage, then set the number of people. The calculator will instantly show the tip per person and total per person. If people ordered different amounts, calculate the full table tip first (e.g., 20% of the total), divide that by the number of diners to find each person's tip share, then add it to each person's individual food cost.
An automatic gratuity (also called a service charge or auto-grat) is a tip that is automatically added to your bill, usually 18–20%. It is most common for large parties of 6 or more people, or at certain tourist-heavy restaurants. Always check your bill carefully before adding an additional tip — if an auto-grat is already included, you are not obligated to tip more, though you can always leave extra for exceptional service.
This is one of the most debated tipping questions. Most etiquette experts recommend still leaving at least 10–15% for poor service at a restaurant, because the server may not be responsible for issues like slow kitchen times, incorrect orders, or understaffing. If the service was genuinely negligent or rude, you can tip less — or speak to the manager to explain the situation. Leaving zero tip is generally considered a strong statement, not just frugality.
Hotel housekeeping is one of the most overlooked tipping situations. The standard is $2–$5 per night at a regular hotel, and $5–$10 per night at a luxury property. The key is to tip daily, not just at checkout — because the housekeeper who cleans your room on Tuesday may not be the same person cleaning it on Wednesday. Leave the tip on the pillow or nightstand with a note marked "housekeeping" to avoid confusion.