Tip Calculator

The standard sit-down restaurant tip is 18% to 20% of the pre-tax bill for acceptable service, 15% for mediocre service, and 25% or more for exceptional service. Counter service, fast-casual, and takeout typically get 10% to 15% or no tip. Delivery drivers expect 15% to 20%, with a minimum of $3 to $5 for small orders.

The technically correct answer is pre-tax, since the server is not providing the tax. In practice most Americans tip on the post-tax total for simplicity, which gives the server a slightly larger tip (about 8% extra on an 18% tip in a 10% sales tax jurisdiction). Either approach is acceptable.

You have two choices. Itemized splitting: each person pays for what they ordered plus proportional tax and tip. This is fairest but requires keeping track. Even splitting: divide the total equally regardless of what each person ordered. Easier socially but can be unfair if one person ordered a $40 steak and another had a $12 salad. Most groups default to even splitting unless the difference is large.

Carry-out at a sit-down restaurant is often tipped 10% or a few dollars for the person packaging the order. Delivery (non-app) typically gets 15% to 20% plus a few dollars for long or complicated drives. For app-based delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub), tip 15% to 20% inside the app; the delivery fee paid to the app does not go to the driver.

Rounding up each person's share to the nearest whole dollar makes cash splitting easier and avoids awkward change. For a $37.73 bill at 15% tip split 2 ways, each person owes $21.70. Rounded up: $22. The effective tip becomes about 16.6% (the extra 30 cents per person goes to the tip). Small difference, much simpler math at the table.

Tipping culture varies widely. In most of Europe, service is included or tipping is modest (5-10% rounding). In Japan, tipping is often considered rude. In Canada, Mexico, and much of Latin America, US-style tipping (15-20%) is expected. Always check the local norm before travel; many countries automatically add a service charge to the bill.

Yes. The math works for any scenario where you want to add a percentage-based gratuity and split between people: bartenders, hair salons, taxis, Uber, spa services, movers, home repair pros. For services where the percentage differs (haircut around 20%, movers often a flat $10-30 per mover, massages 15-20%), just adjust the percentage input.