Bill Split Calculator

Add the bill total before tip, choose the tip percentage you want to leave, enter the number of people splitting, and the calculator shows each person's share in seconds. The math is straightforward: calculate the tip (bill × tip %), add it to the subtotal to get the grand total, then divide by the number of people. A $120 bill split 4 ways with an 18% tip gives $21.60 in total tip, a $141.60 grand total, and $35.40 per person. The breakdown view shows the bill portion and tip portion separately so each person can verify the math.

The standard tip range in the United States runs 15-20% for sit-down restaurant service. Fifteen percent was the long-standing norm through the early 2010s; 18-20% became the more common expectation through the 2020s, particularly in cities. Many payment terminals now default to suggesting 20-25-30% — those suggested amounts are merchant-set and do not represent a social obligation. Food delivery tips run separately and typically start at 10-15% with most etiquette guidance suggesting at least $3-5 on any order regardless of percentage. For exceptional service or large groups, 20-25% is common.

When a restaurant adds an automatic service charge — common for groups of 6 or more — that charge functions as the tip and no additional tip is expected. The words that indicate you are covered: "gratuity included," "service charge included," or "auto-gratuity." The key is that the service charge goes to staff (the specifics vary by state law), while fees labeled "kitchen appreciation" or "hospitality fee" may go to the house rather than servers. Worth checking the receipt before tipping on top of an already-included charge.

Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is technically correct by etiquette standards and the more common practice in most US regions — the pre-tax amount reflects the actual service and food cost. Tipping on the post-tax total is also accepted and more common in high-tax jurisdictions where the difference is small. On a $100 pre-tax bill with 8% tax, the difference between tipping 20% pre-tax ($20) and post-tax ($21.60) is $1.60, which matters very little to either the tipper or the server. This calculator tips on the pre-tax subtotal by default — if tax is already included in the number you enter, the math still works correctly.

The evenly-split approach works best when the individual differences are small — a few dollars here and there. When someone ordered a $45 steak and another ordered a $12 salad, splitting evenly is not obviously fair, and most groups just track individual orders and split the tip proportionally. A practical approach for mixed-order groups: total each person's items separately, calculate the tip on the full bill, then divide the total tip proportionally by each person's share. Our calculator handles the even-split scenario; the uneven-split case is best handled with itemized tracking on the receipt.

Restaurant sit-down: 18-20% standard, 15% minimum for adequate service, 25%+ for exceptional. Counter/fast-casual: 0-10% discretionary. Bartender: $1-2 per drink minimum or 15-20% of bar tab. Coffee/cafe: typically $0.50-1.00 per drink or the suggested amount on the screen. Haircut/personal services: 15-20%. Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per night, left daily. Rideshare: 15-20% if the experience merits it, not required. Delivery: 10-15% minimum, $3-5 floor on any order.