Tip Calculator
Quickly calculate tip amount and split the bill with your group. Works for restaurants, bars, salons, and more.
US Tipping Guide
🍽️ Restaurant Tipping
The standard tip at US restaurants is 15-20% of the pre-tax bill. For exceptional service, 22-25% is common. At buffets, 10% is acceptable since servers mainly refill drinks.
Always tip on the pre-tax amount, not the total including sales tax. Some restaurants add automatic gratuity (18-20%) for large parties of 6 or more.
🍸 Other Services
- Bartenders: $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of tab
- Food delivery: 15-20%, minimum $3-5
- Hair stylists/barbers: 15-20%
- Taxi/Uber/Lyft: 15-20%
- Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per night
- Valets: $2-5 when car is returned
💡 Quick Mental Math
For 20%: Move the decimal one place left (10%), then double it. Example: $47.50 → $4.75 → $9.50 tip.
For 15%: Calculate 10% and add half. Example: $47.50 → $4.75 + $2.38 = $7.13 tip.
⚠️ When Not to Tip
You’re not expected to tip at fast food restaurants, coffee shops with counter service (though tip jars exist), or retail stores. Some restaurants are “no-tipping” establishments where staff earn higher wages.
If service was truly unacceptable, it’s okay to tip less — but consider speaking with a manager rather than leaving no tip at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip on a $50 restaurant bill?
At a US restaurant, tip 15-20% of the pre-tax amount. On a $50 bill that means $7.50 (15%) to $10 (20%). For great service, 22-25% is appreciated. The calculator shows preset buttons for 15%, 18%, 20%, 22%, and 25% so you can pick in one tap.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
US etiquette is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total that includes sales tax. The tool defaults to pre-tax tipping with a toggle if you prefer otherwise. Tipping on the full amount means the restaurant keeps a portion of your tip as tax, which is not the intent.
What is the standard tip for food delivery in the US?
For food delivery, 15-20% is standard, with a minimum of $3-5 regardless of percentage. If the order is large or the weather is bad, 20%+ is considerate. The calculator has a Delivery preset that defaults to 18% to cover a reasonable baseline.
How do I split a tip four ways when one person pays?
Enter the bill amount and select your tip percentage, then set the split count to 4. The calculator shows the tip per person and the total per person, including their share of the bill. You can tap the summary text to copy it and paste it into Venmo or iMessage for easy reimbursement.
Do I need to tip at fast food or counter service restaurants?
No, tipping at fast food counters and most coffee shops is not expected in the US. Tip jars exist but are optional. Tipping is customary where a server brings food to your table. Some establishments now show tip prompts on card readers even for counter service, which you can politely decline.