Tip Calculator

In the United States, 15-20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard range for sit-down restaurant service. Tip 15% for adequate service, 18% for good service, and 20% or more for exceptional service. For large parties of six or more, many restaurants automatically add an 18% gratuity to the bill. If the service was truly poor, 10% is generally considered the minimum — speak with a manager about the issue rather than leaving no tip, as servers in the US typically earn a base wage of $2.13 to $5.00 per hour with the expectation that tips will bring their compensation to at least minimum wage. Use the comparison table in this calculator to see exactly how much each percentage adds to your specific bill.

Etiquette experts recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal because the sales tax portion goes to the government, not the server. On a $100 meal with 8% sales tax, the difference between tipping 18% on the pre-tax amount ($18.00) and the post-tax total ($19.44) is only $1.44. Either approach is perfectly acceptable and appreciated by servers. If you want the simplest method, tipping on the full total is common and avoids the mental math of separating the tax. Many payment tablet systems at restaurants calculate tip on the post-tax total by default, so be aware of this when selecting a preset percentage.

For equal splitting, use this calculator to divide the total (including tip) by the number of people. For unequal splitting, each person should calculate the tip on their individual subtotal — enter each person's items separately into the calculator with the agreed-upon tip percentage. A practical shortcut: have each person round up their share to the nearest $5, which covers rounding differences and usually results in a slightly generous overall tip. For groups using payment apps like Venmo or Zelle, the calculator's per-person amount provides an exact figure to request from each friend.

Yes, dramatically. In the US and Canada, 15-20% is expected for most services. In the United Kingdom, 10-15% is standard, but always check if a service charge is already included on the bill. In Japan and South Korea, tipping is not customary and can even cause confusion — staff may try to return the extra money. In France, service is included by law ("service compris"), though leaving a few extra euros for excellent service is appreciated. In Australia, fair wages mean tips are appreciated but not expected. In many Latin American countries, 10% is common. The tipping guide and world tipping table on this page provide a quick reference for popular travel destinations.

Many restaurants now use payment tablets that suggest tip percentages — often starting at 18% or 20% and sometimes going up to 25% or 30%. These preset amounts frequently calculate on the post-tax total, which results in a higher tip than you might intend. Before tapping a preset amount, check whether it is calculated on the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total. Feel free to select "Custom" or "Other" and enter your own amount. For counter service (coffee shops, fast-casual restaurants), the traditional tip is $1-$2 per item or 10-15%, which is lower than the 20% presets these screens often suggest. Tip what you are comfortable with — there is no obligation to select the highest option.