How to Use This Calculator
- Standard ??pick a tip percentage (or enter a custom value). Choose whether the tip applies to the pre-tax bill (most common in the U.S.) or the post-tax total.
- Split Bill ??divides the post-tip total across N people, with an option to round per-person to a friendlier amount.
- Reverse ??useful when you only remember the total you paid and want to know what the bill was.
- Round Up ??picks a tip that produces a clean final total ($45, $50, etc.), with a minimum-tip floor.
U.S. Tipping Conventions
- Dine-in restaurants ??15??0% on the pre-tax bill is the standard range; 18??0% has become more common in the 2020s, especially in larger cities.
- Buffets and counter service ??10% or a flat $1?? is typical; many people don't tip on quick counter orders.
- Bartenders ??$1 per drink or 15??0% of the bar tab.
- Delivery ??typically 15??0%, with a $3?? minimum on small orders. App-based delivery may add a separate "service fee" that doesn't go to the driver.
- Hairdressers, taxis ??15??0% is common.
- Hotel housekeeping ??$2?? per night, left daily.
Many establishments now use point-of-sale tablets that suggest tip percentages on the post-tax total. The difference between tipping on pre-tax vs. post-tax is small (typically $1?? on a $50 bill) but adds up.
Outside the United States
Tipping is not universal. In many countries (e.g., Japan, South Korea, much of continental Europe), service is included in the menu price or rounding up a few euros is sufficient. Some countries treat large U.S.-style tips as awkward rather than generous. Local research before traveling is worthwhile.
Why Split Rounding Matters
When you split a $100 bill across 3 people, each share is $33.333?? Cents don't add up cleanly, and someone always ends up paying a penny more than the others. Rounding per share to the next $1 (or $5) eliminates the awkward fractions and tends to over-tip slightly ??which most servers don't mind.