Last updated: May 2026
Calculate tip, split between friends, and round up easily.
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Standard tipping in the US: 15% is considered the minimum for satisfactory service. 18–20% is standard for good service. 25% or more for exceptional service.
When splitting: Total (bill + tip) is divided equally. The "round up" option rounds each person's share up to the nearest dollar, making cash payment easier and ensuring the full tip is covered.
Tipping customs vary by country and service type. In some countries (Japan, for example), tipping is not customary.
The math is straightforward: multiply your bill by the tip percentage (expressed as a decimal), then add it to the bill total.
For example, on an $85 dinner bill with 20% tip: $85 × 0.20 = $17.00 tip, making the total $102.00. Split between 4 people, each person owes $25.50.
Tip expectations vary significantly depending on the type of service. Here's what's considered standard in the United States:
| Service Type | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% | 20% is the current norm for good service |
| Bar / cocktails | $1–2 per drink or 15–20% | Tab-based tipping follows restaurant norms |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | Tip on pre-discount total; drivers bear fuel costs |
| Taxi / rideshare | 15–20% | Lyft and Uber prompt in-app; cash still appreciated |
| Hair salon / barber | 15–20% | Tip the stylist directly, not the salon owner |
| Hotel housekeeping | $3–5/night | Leave daily — different staff may clean each day |
| Coffee shop (counter service) | $0–$1 | Optional; 10% if it's a complex order |
| Pizza delivery | $3–5 minimum | Percentage tips undervalue short, low-cost orders |
When splitting with a group, there are two common approaches:
The "round up" toggle in this calculator makes cash splits cleaner — it rounds each person's share up to the nearest dollar so nobody has to scramble for exact change. Any overage above the calculated amount goes toward a slightly higher tip.
Tipping norms differ dramatically by country. In Japan, tipping is considered rude — exceptional service is seen as the baseline expectation, not something that warrants extra payment. In much of Europe, rounding up or leaving a few euros is common but not obligatory. Australia includes service wages in menu prices, making tipping optional.
When traveling internationally, a quick check of local customs will tell you whether tipping is expected, optional, or inappropriate for the service type you're using.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Either is acceptable, but tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is more common and technically more accurate — you're tipping for the service, not for the government's cut. In practice, the difference on a $60 meal is under $1, so most people don't overthink it.
What if the service was genuinely bad?
If the poor experience was the server's fault (rude, absent, order wrong multiple times), 10–15% is a reasonable signal. If the kitchen was slow or the food was disappointing, that's not on the server — tip normally and speak to the manager instead. Servers in the US typically earn below minimum wage with tips as the expected supplement.
How do tip pools affect what my server actually gets?
Many restaurants pool tips and distribute them across the whole front-of-house staff — servers, bussers, food runners, and sometimes bartenders. Your tip may be split 5–10 ways depending on the restaurant's policy. Tip in cash if you want the server to keep the full amount.
Do I tip on alcohol?
Yes, and it matters more than people realize. A $12 cocktail at 20% is a $2.40 tip for maybe 90 seconds of work — bartenders depend on this. Tipping on the full tab including drinks is standard. If you're running a large bar tab, tipping by drink ($1–2 each) rather than percentage can actually be more generous.
What's the "right" tip for takeout?
10% is reasonable for takeout orders — the staff still bags your food, handles packaging, and manages the transaction. For large or complex takeout orders, err toward 15%. Apps that prompt for 20–25% on takeout are aggressive; you're not obligated to match sit-down restaurant norms for a to-go order.