Bill · Tip · Split · Total
In the USA 15-20% is standard; in the UK & Canada 10-15% is common. See the guide below for full etiquette by country.
Figuring out how much to tip at a restaurant, and then splitting that total fairly between friends, is one of those small everyday calculations that is surprisingly easy to get wrong after a long dinner. This free Tip Calculator does the maths for you in seconds. Enter your bill amount, pick a tip percentage (or type your own), tell it how many people are splitting the check, and it instantly shows the tip amount, the total bill, and exactly how much each person owes. It works with US Dollars, British Pounds and Canadian Dollars, so it is equally useful whether you are dining out in New York, London, or Toronto.
The basic tip formula is simple: multiply the bill amount by the tip percentage, expressed as a decimal. For example, an $80 bill with an 18% tip works out to $14.40 in gratuity, making the total payable $94.40. If you are splitting that total between four people, each person pays $23.60. Most servers and etiquette guides recommend calculating the tip on the subtotal before sales tax or VAT is added, since the tax portion does not reflect the quality of service you received, only how much the government charges on the meal.
Tipping customs vary significantly between the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, and knowing the local expectation avoids both underpaying and over-tipping.
| Country | Typical Restaurant Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 15% – 20% | Considered essential; servers rely on tips as a large part of their wage. 20-25% for excellent service. |
| UK | 10% – 15% | Optional but appreciated. Check the bill first — a 12.5% service charge is often already included. |
| Canada | 15% – 20% | Similar culture to the USA. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total with GST/HST/PST. |
When a group shares a table, the simplest method is to add the tip to the bill total and divide the combined amount equally among everyone present. This calculator does exactly that using the number of people you enter. If your group prefers to split based on what each person individually ordered rather than an even share, you can still use this tool to find the correct total tip and total bill, then divide those two figures according to each person's portion of the original order.
In the USA, 15-20% of the pre-tax bill is standard for good table service, with 20-25% for excellent service. In the UK and Canada, 10-15% is typical, and in the UK a service charge is sometimes already included on the bill.
Tipping is not legally mandatory in the UK, USA or Canada, but it is a strong social expectation in the USA and Canada because service staff often rely on tips as part of their income. In the UK it is appreciated but more optional, especially where a service charge is already added.
Add the tip to the total bill, then divide that combined amount by the number of people. Each person pays an equal share, unless you agree to split based on what each person actually ordered.
Most etiquette guides recommend calculating the tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total including sales tax or VAT, since tax does not reflect the service you received.