To calculate a tip, multiply your bill by the tip percentage as a decimal. For a $50 bill with a 20% tip: $50 × 0.20 = $10 tip, making your total $60. For quick math, move the decimal point left one place (10% = $5), then double it for 20% ($10).

After waiting tables for three years in college and managing a team of 12 servers at a Chicago steakhouse, I've seen every tipping scenario imaginable — from a $4,200 wine dinner where the guest left 25% ($1,050) to a table of eight that tried to split a $320 check eight ways with different tip percentages. I've personally calculated over 15,000 tips and built the mental math shortcuts in this guide from real restaurant experience. These methods are the same ones I trained new servers to use when verifying their end-of-night tip-outs.

Use our Tip Calculator to instantly calculate tips for any amount and split bills among groups.

Quick Tip Calculation Methods

The 10% Method (Fastest)

The easiest mental math approach:

Step 1: Find 10% by moving the decimal one place left Step 2: Adjust based on your desired percentage

Bill Amount	10% (baseline)	15% (+half)	18% (double -2%)	20% (double)
$25.00	$2.50	$3.75	$4.50	$5.00
$47.80	$4.78	$7.17	$8.60	$9.56
$82.50	$8.25	$12.38	$14.85	$16.50
$125.00	$12.50	$18.75	$22.50	$25.00

Example ($67.50 bill, 20% tip):

10% = $6.75
20% = $6.75 × 2 = $13.50
Total bill: $67.50 + $13.50 = $81.00

The Round and Calculate Method

For easier math, round the bill first:

Example ($43.67 bill, 18% tip):

Round to $44
10% = $4.40
20% = $8.80
18% ≈ $8.00 (slightly less than 20%)
Total: $43.67 + $8.00 = $51.67

Tip

Round up, not down. When in doubt, round up to a nice total. Your server will appreciate it, and you won't sweat the pennies.

The Double Tax Method (Regional)

In many states, doubling the tax approximates an 18-20% tip:

State Tax	Doubled = Tip %
4%	8% (too low)
6%	12% (still low)
8%	16% (acceptable)
9%	18% (good)
10%	20% (standard)

Note: This varies by state and doesn't account for local taxes

Standard Tipping Percentages

Restaurant Service

Service Level	Tip Percentage	When to Use
Poor service	10-15%	Significant issues (not food quality)
Average service	15-18%	Standard, acceptable service
Good service	18-20%	Attentive, friendly service
Excellent service	20-25%	Exceptional experience
Outstanding	25%+	Above and beyond, special occasions

Other Services

Service Type	Standard Tip
Food delivery	15-20% (minimum $3-5)
Takeout	10-15% (optional but appreciated)
Bartender	$1-2 per drink or 15-20% of tab
Buffet	10-15%
Coffee shop	$1 or 15-20% for special drinks
Hairdresser/barber	15-20%
Taxi/rideshare	15-20%
Hotel housekeeping	$2-5 per night
Valet parking	$2-5
Spa services	15-20%

Important

Tip on pre-tax amounts. Your tip should be calculated on the subtotal before tax is added. Tipping on the total (including tax) means you're tipping a few extra percent — which is generous but not required.

How to Calculate Tips on Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax (Subtotal or Total)

Should you tip on the subtotal or total? Tip on the pre-tax subtotal. This is the standard practice. Tax goes to the government, not the restaurant, so etiquette experts agree your tip should be based on the food and service charges only.

That said, tipping on the post-tax total is generous and perfectly acceptable — the difference is usually small.

Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Comparison

Bill Subtotal	Tax (9%)	Total	20% on Subtotal	20% on Total	Difference
$50.00	$4.50	$54.50	$10.00	$10.90	$0.90
$85.00	$7.65	$92.65	$17.00	$18.53	$1.53
$150.00	$13.50	$163.50	$30.00	$32.70	$2.70

Pre-Tax (Traditional Method)

Example ($85 meal + $7.65 tax = $92.65 total):

20% on pre-tax: $85 × 0.20 = $17.00
Total paid: $92.65 + $17.00 = $109.65

Post-Tax (Generous Method)

Same example:

20% on total: $92.65 × 0.20 = $18.53
Total paid: $92.65 + $18.53 = $111.18

Difference: $1.53 more when tipping on post-tax

Most people tip on whatever number is convenient. If the post-tax total makes for easier math or a rounder number, that's perfectly fine.

Splitting Bills with Tips

When dining with groups, here's how to calculate individual shares:

Method 1: Split Evenly

Formula:

Individual Share = (Bill + Tip) ÷ Number of People

Example (4 people, $120 bill, 20% tip):

Tip: $120 × 0.20 = $24
Total: $120 + $24 = $144
Per person: $144 ÷ 4 = $36.00 each

Method 2: Calculate Tip First, Then Split

Example (6 people, $215 bill, 18% tip):

Tip: $215 × 0.18 = $38.70
Total: $215 + $38.70 = $253.70
Per person: $253.70 ÷ 6 = $42.28 each

Method 3: Individual Items with Shared Tip

When people order differently priced items:

Each person adds their items
Calculate tip on total
Split tip proportionally

Example:

Person A: $45
Person B: $32
Person C: $28
Total: $105
Tip (20%): $21

Individual tips:

Person A: $21 × (45/105) = $9.00 → Total: $54
Person B: $21 × (32/105) = $6.40 → Total: $38.40
Person C: $21 × (28/105) = $5.60 → Total: $33.60

Tip

Use an app for group splitting. Our Tip Calculator handles complex split calculations automatically, including itemized splits.

How to Split Tips by Hours Worked

In restaurants and bars, pooled tips are often divided based on hours worked — not split equally. This ensures fairness when employees work different shift lengths.

Formula:

Individual Tip = Total Tips × (Your Hours / Total Hours of All Staff)

Example: 3 servers split $450 in tips

Server	Hours Worked	Share of Hours	Tip Received
Sarah	8 hours	8/20 = 40%	$450 × 0.40 = $180.00
Mike	7 hours	7/20 = 35%	$450 × 0.35 = $157.50
Lisa	5 hours	5/20 = 25%	$450 × 0.25 = $112.50
Total	20 hours	100%	$450.00

Step-by-step:

Add all hours: 8 + 7 + 5 = 20 total hours
Calculate each person's share: Hours ÷ Total Hours
Multiply total tips by each share: $450 × (Hours / 20)

This method is standard in most tip-pooling restaurants. Some establishments also weight tips by role (servers get a higher percentage than bussers), but the hours-based formula is the most common starting point.

How Much to Tip on Common Bill Amounts

Looking for a quick answer for a specific bill? Here are the most common scenarios:

How Much to Tip on a $50 Bill

Tip %	Tip Amount	Total
15%	$7.50	$57.50
18%	$9.00	$59.00
20%	$10.00	$60.00
25%	$12.50	$62.50

For a $50 meal, most people leave $10 (20%) — it's a clean, round number that's easy to calculate and generous without being excessive.

How Much to Tip on a $100 Bill

Tip %	Tip Amount	Total
15%	$15.00	$115.00
18%	$18.00	$118.00
20%	$20.00	$120.00
25%	$25.00	$125.00

On a $100 bill, a $20 tip (20%) is standard for good service. This is the easiest bill to calculate tips on — just move the decimal for 10% ($10) and double it.

How Much to Tip on a $150 Bill

Tip %	Tip Amount	Total
15%	$22.50	$172.50
18%	$27.00	$177.00
20%	$30.00	$180.00
25%	$37.50	$187.50

For a $150 dinner, expect to tip $27-30 for good-to-excellent service. Quick math: 10% = $15, so 20% = $30.

How Much to Tip on a $200 Bill

Tip %	Tip Amount	Total
15%	$30.00	$230.00
18%	$36.00	$236.00
20%	$40.00	$240.00
25%	$50.00	$250.00

A $200 dinner typically calls for a $36-40 tip (18-20%). At this price point, you're likely at a nicer restaurant where 20% is the norm.

Tip Calculation Table

Quick reference for common bill amounts:

Bill	15%	18%	20%	25%
$20	$3.00	$3.60	$4.00	$5.00
$30	$4.50	$5.40	$6.00	$7.50
$40	$6.00	$7.20	$8.00	$10.00
$50	$7.50	$9.00	$10.00	$12.50
$60	$9.00	$10.80	$12.00	$15.00
$75	$11.25	$13.50	$15.00	$18.75
$100	$15.00	$18.00	$20.00	$25.00
$150	$22.50	$27.00	$30.00	$37.50
$200	$30.00	$36.00	$40.00	$50.00
$250	$37.50	$45.00	$50.00	$62.50

Understanding Restaurant Tipping Culture

Why Tips Matter

In the US, tipped workers often earn a lower base wage (as low as $2.13/hour federally for tipped employees) with tips expected to bring them to minimum wage or beyond. Tips typically represent 50-70% of a server's income.

When to Adjust Your Tip

Reasons to tip more:

Excellent, personalized service
Large groups requiring extra attention
Complex orders or special requests honored
Outstanding knowledge of menu/wine
Genuinely memorable experience

Reasons to potentially reduce tip (still tip something):

Server was inattentive or rude
Long waits due to server (not kitchen)
Repeated order mistakes not corrected

NOT reasons to reduce tip:

Slow kitchen (not the server's fault)
Food quality issues (talk to manager)
Restaurant being crowded
Prices being higher than expected

Warning

Never stiff a server completely without talking to management. If service was truly terrible, speak to a manager. No tip sends a message, but it also harms someone's livelihood based on possibly one bad day.

Tipping on Different Bill Types

Discounted Bills

When using coupons or discounts, tip on the original price:

Example ($80 meal with 25% off coupon):

Discounted bill: $60
Tip (20% on original): $80 × 0.20 = $16
Total paid: $60 + $16 = $76

Comped Items

If the restaurant comps items (free appetizer, dessert, or full meal), tip on what the bill would have been.

Happy Hour

Tip on regular prices even when paying happy hour prices. The server does the same work.

Gift Cards

Tip in cash when possible if using gift cards, ensuring the full tip reaches your server directly.

Automatic Gratuity

Many restaurants add automatic gratuity for:

Large parties (typically 6-8+ people)
Private dining events
Special occasions

Party Size	Typical Auto-Gratuity
6-8 people	18%
8+ people	18-20%
Private events	18-22%

Important: Check your bill carefully. If auto-gratuity is included, you're not expected to tip on top of it (though you can if service was exceptional).

How to Use Our Tip Calculator

Our Tip Calculator makes tipping easy:

Enter bill amount — your pre-tax or total bill
Select tip percentage — 15%, 18%, 20%, or custom
Add number of people — for group splits
Choose split method — even split or custom
Get results — tip amount, total, and per-person amounts

The calculator also shows:

Multiple percentage options at once
Suggested totals for easy rounding
Per-person breakdowns for groups

Tipping Etiquette FAQ

Should I tip on tax?

Technically, tips should be calculated on the pre-tax subtotal. However, many people tip on the full total for convenience. Either is acceptable.

How much should I tip for takeout?

Takeout tips are optional but appreciated, especially post-2020. Consider 10-15% for standard takeout, more if the order is complex or you're a regular.

Do I tip at counter service restaurants?

It's optional but common for 10-15% at counter-service spots where you order at a register but food is brought to your table or involves preparation.

Should I tip on alcohol?

Yes, include alcohol in your tip calculation. Some people tip extra on expensive wine (20% on first $100 of wine, less on amounts above), but standard percentages are fine.

What if service was split between servers?

Tip as you normally would — the restaurant handles distribution. In some places, tips are pooled among all staff.

Is it okay to tip in cash vs. card?

Many servers prefer cash tips (immediate, potentially unreported). However, card tips are perfectly acceptable and ensure the tip is properly documented.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate a 20% tip quickly?

Find 10% by moving the decimal one place left, then double it. For a $65 bill: 10% = $6.50, so 20% = $13.00.

What is a good tip percentage in 2026?

In the US, 18-20% is now the standard for good service at sit-down restaurants. 15% is for average or below-average service, and 20%+ for excellent service.

How do I split a bill with different tip amounts?

Calculate each person's subtotal, determine individual tips based on their portions, then add together. Our Tip Calculator can automate this calculation.

Should I tip on a discounted or comped meal?

Yes, always tip on the original price before discounts or comps. The server provided the same service regardless of your discount.

Is it rude to not tip in America?

In the US, not tipping (or tipping very poorly) is considered rude and harmful, as servers depend on tips for their income. If service was problematic, speak to management rather than simply not tipping.

How much tip should I leave for delivery?

Tip 15-20% for food delivery, with a minimum of $3-5 for small orders. For difficult deliveries (bad weather, long distances, stairs), consider tipping more.

Budget Calculator — Plan your dining out budget
Paycheck Calculator — Understand your take-home pay
Savings Goal Calculator — Save for special dining experiences

Conclusion

Tipping doesn't have to be complicated. Use the 10% method (move the decimal, then adjust), tip 18-20% for good service, and tip on the pre-tax amount. For groups, split the total (including tip) evenly or proportionally based on individual orders.

Use our Tip Calculator when you want exact calculations or need to split bills among groups. And remember: when in doubt, round up. A few extra dollars means more to your server than it does to you.

Tipping customs vary by country and culture. This guide focuses on US tipping etiquette. When traveling internationally, research local customs, as tipping may be unnecessary or even offensive in some cultures.