Work · 18+
Bill Total, Tip Amount, and Group Split
Enter a bill subtotal, choose a tip percentage, and add optional tax. Split the total evenly across a group or use fair split mode to divide the bill proportionally based on what each person ordered.
The tip is a percentage of the bill subtotal:
Tip = subtotal × tip% ÷ 100
Grand total = subtotal + tip + tax
For an even split: per person = grand total ÷ number of people. Everyone pays the same share regardless of what they ordered.
For a fair split: person's share = (their subtotal / group subtotal) × grand total. Tip and tax are distributed proportionally — someone who ordered more pays a larger share of each.
Even split works well when everyone ordered roughly the same amount, or when the group prefers simplicity over precision. It's the fastest calculation and avoids awkward comparisons.
Fair split is appropriate when there are large differences in order size — one person ordered a $12 pasta, another ordered a $42 steak. An even split makes the cheaper order subsidize the expensive one. Fair split ensures each person's total reflects what they actually ordered, including their proportional share of tip and tax.
Tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the post-tax total. Tax is a government charge — tipping on the post-tax amount effectively tips on money that goes to the government, not the server.
On a $100 bill with 8.875% NYC sales tax and a 20% tip: tipping on the $100 subtotal = $20. Tipping on the $108.88 total = $21.77. The difference grows at higher tax rates and more frequent dining. Enter only the food and drink charges in the subtotal field, and add the tax amount separately.
Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity — commonly 18–20% — for large parties or as standard policy. Look for "gratuity included," "service charge," or "auto-grat" on the receipt. If you see this, tip has already been added.
To use this calculator with an auto-grat bill: set the tip percentage to 0% and enter the full bill amount (including the service charge) as the subtotal. Or enter the pre-service-charge subtotal normally with tip set to 0%, and enter the service charge amount in the tax field.
When splitting a bill, individual per-person amounts may not sum exactly to the grand total due to cent rounding. A $100.01 total split three ways is $33.3367 per person — each rounded to $33.34 sums to $100.02, one cent over.
This calculator shows amounts rounded to two decimal places. Small rounding differences of a few cents are normal. One person can round down to absorb the difference, or the group can round up and leave a slightly larger tip.
FAQ
Short answers for readers and answer engines.
Tip on the pre-tax subtotal. The tax is collected by the government, not the server, so applying a tip percentage to the post-tax total inflates the amount. On a $100 bill with 8% tax, tipping 20% on the $100 subtotal gives $20; tipping 20% on the $108 total gives $21.60 — a meaningful difference over time.
15% is the historical baseline for adequate service. 18–20% is now the common standard for good service at sit-down restaurants. 25%+ is appropriate for exceptional service. Counter service, delivery, and taxis follow different norms — and practices vary significantly by region.
Each person pays a share of the grand total proportional to what they ordered. The formula is: person's share = (their subtotal / group subtotal) × (subtotal + tip + tax). Tip and tax are distributed in the same proportion as the food order — someone who ordered more pays more of each.
Look for "gratuity included," "service charge," or "auto-grat" on the receipt. If a service charge is listed, the tip has already been added. Set the tip percentage to 0% and enter the full billed amount as the subtotal, or add the service charge amount to the tax field.
Move the decimal one place to the left to get 10%, then double it. On a $47 bill: 10% is $4.70, doubled is $9.40. For 15%, take 10% and add half: $4.70 + $2.35 = $7.05. For 18%, take 15% and add a fifth of the 15% result.
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