Tip Calculator
Enter the bill before tip. The rounding option adjusts the tip so the total lands on a whole number, which is easier when paying in cash or splitting mentally.
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Formula
Tip on the pre-tax amount
Convention in the United States is to tip on the bill before sales tax, though many people tip on the total for simplicity. On a large bill the difference is real, so use the pre-tax figure here if that is your practice.
Check for an automatic gratuity
Large parties are frequently charged a service fee automatically, often 18 or 20 percent. It appears as a line on the bill and is easy to miss, and tipping again on top means tipping twice. Read the bill before reaching for a percentage.
Norms vary enormously by country
Fifteen to twenty percent is standard in the United States because tipped wages are structured around it. In much of Europe service is included and rounding up is sufficient; in Japan tipping can be actively unwelcome. The percentages offered here reflect US practice.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip?
In the United States, 15 to 20 percent is the usual range for sit-down service, with 20 percent now common. Elsewhere the norm is often much lower or nil.
Should I tip on tax?
Convention is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Tipping on the total is a small extra amount and many people do it for convenience.
What if service was poor?
Tipping is discretionary. In a country where servers rely on tips for a substantial share of their income, most people still tip something and raise the issue with management instead.