Tip calculator and bill splitter
Enter the bill, the tip percentage and how many people are paying. You get the tip, the total and each person’s share instantly – and if you round up to an even amount, the calculator shows the effective tip rate after rounding.
How it is calculated
How to calculate a tip
Tip = bill × tip percentage ÷ 100. The total is the bill plus the tip, and each share is the total divided by the number of people. The calculator works in whole cents and rounds the tip to the nearest cent.
Example: a $84.60 bill, a 10% tip and 3 people. Tip = 84.60 × 10 ÷ 100 = $8.46. Total = 84.60 + 8.46 = $93.06. Each person pays 93.06 ÷ 3 = $31.02, of which $2.82 is tip.
Round up per person or on the total
Per person rounds each share up to the chosen step, so the total is always exactly people × share. In the example, $31.02 becomes $32.00 each, $96.00 in all. The tip grows to 96.00 − 84.60 = $11.40, which is really 11.40 ÷ 84.60 = 13.48% rather than 10%.
On the total only the sum is rounded: $93.06 rounded up to the next $5 is $95.00. Divided by 3 that is $31.666…. Because $95.00 cannot be split into three equal cent amounts, the calculator shows $31.67 and notes that one person pays only $31.66.
Effective tip rate
Rounding up adds to the tip. The effective rate = (total − bill) ÷ bill tells you what percentage you actually leave after rounding. To stay close to your chosen rate, use a smaller rounding step or round the total instead of each share.
Tip or service charge?
For US tax purposes the IRS treats a payment as a tip only if the customer voluntarily decides to pay it and determines the amount. An amount the restaurant sets and adds to the bill itself does not meet that definition. Check your receipt before adding a tip on top. Whether to tip and how much is up to you; the percentage here is simply an input.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a 15% tip?
Multiply the bill by 0.15. On an $84.60 bill that is $12.69, for a total of $97.29. For 20% multiply by 0.2, for 10% by 0.1.
How do I split a bill with tip?
Add the tip to the bill first, then divide by the number of people. $93.06 split between 3 people is $31.02 each.
Should I round up per person or on the total?
Rounding each share gives everyone an even amount and the total always adds up, but the tip usually ends up higher. Rounding the total keeps the tip closer to your chosen rate, while individual shares may not be even.
Why is the effective tip rate higher than the one I entered?
Rounding up adds money. A 10% tip on $84.60 split 3 ways and rounded up to the next whole dollar per person comes to $11.40 in tip, which is 13.48%.
Is an automatic service charge the same as a tip?
Not according to the IRS: a payment counts as a tip only if the customer freely decides to pay it and sets the amount. A charge fixed by the restaurant is not a tip in that sense.
What happens with a leftover cent?
If the total cannot be split into equal cent amounts, the calculator shows the rounded share and a note that one person pays a cent more or less.
Sources and legal basis
As of:
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