The tip formula
tip = bill x percentage / 100
total = bill + tip = bill x (1 + percentage / 100)For 85.50 and 18%, the tip is 15.39 and the total is 100.89. The tip calculator does this for you and shows a chart of other rates.
Mental maths
| Tip | How to work it out | On 60.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Move the decimal point one place left | 6.00 |
| 15% | 10% plus half of 10% | 9.00 |
| 18% | 20% minus 10% of the 20% (or 10% + 8%) | 10.80 |
| 20% | Double 10% | 12.00 |
| 25% | A quarter of the bill | 15.00 |
Where the sales tax is about 8% to 10%, doubling the tax shown on the bill gives a tip of roughly 16% to 20% on the amount before tax.
Before or after tax
The tax is not a charge for service, so many people tip on the amount before tax. Tipping on the total is also common and only a little higher. Pick one and be consistent. The tip calculator with tax shows both.
Check for a service charge
Some restaurants add a service charge to the bill, especially in some countries and for larger groups. If it is there, a further tip may not be expected. Look for a line that says service or gratuity before you add anything.
How much to tip
There is no rule that applies everywhere. Table service in the United States is commonly tipped at 15% to 20%, and in the UK 10% to 12.5% is common, often as a service charge. In many countries a small tip, or none, is the custom. Read local guidance, or ask, for the place you are visiting.
Splitting a bill
- Equal share: divide the bill with the tip by the number of people. See split bill.
- By order: add each person's items and share tax and tip in proportion. See tip by person.
- Rounding: round each share up to a whole amount, and treat the extra as part of the tip.
Finding the percentage you left
Divide the tip by the bill and multiply by 100, or use the tip percentage calculator.
Excel, Google Sheets and code
Excel and Sheets, bill in A1, percentage in B1 (for example 18%):
tip =A1*B1
total =A1*(1+B1)
each =A1*(1+B1)/C1 (C1 = number of people)
JavaScript: const total = bill * (1 + percent / 100);
Python: total = bill * (1 + percent / 100)Related tools
For other percentage questions, use the percentage calculator, and for discounts and sales tax the percent off calculator.
Work out the tip now. Enter the bill, pick a percentage, and split it between people.