Big tables are where bill splitting gets genuinely messy — 20% on a large bill is real money, and everyone wants their share before the card machine lands.
This version is preset for eight people at 20%, the common baseline for good table service in the US. Change either value if your table is bigger, smaller, or tipping differently.
For informational purposes only — not financial advice.
How to use
- Enter the bill amount before tip.
- Choose a tip percentage — 18% is a reasonable default.
- Set how many people are splitting the bill.
- Press Compute to see the tip, the total and each person's share.
- Round each share up if you would rather over-cover than chase coins.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
In the United States, 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill is the usual range, with 20% for good table service. Counter service, takeaway and coffee shops typically sit lower, depending on the setup.
Do I tip on the pre-tax or the post-tax amount?
Convention is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal, which is why you enter the bill before sales tax. Many people simply tip on the total as it appears on the check; the difference is small.
Should I tip more for a large group?
Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity of 18% to 20% for parties of six or more, because serving a large table takes more work. Check the bill before adding a second tip on top.
How do I split a tip unevenly?
Start with the total this calculator gives you, then adjust: if one person ordered much more, agree their larger share first and divide what remains between the rest.
Is it rude to tip below 15%?
For table service in the US, below 15% usually signals that something went wrong. If service was genuinely poor, many people prefer to mention it to a manager rather than express it only through the tip.
Should the tip be worked out per person or on the whole bill?
The tip percentage applies to the whole bill, then the grand total is divided by the number of people. For equal shares, both orders of working give the same answer.