Tip Calculator for Restaurants and Group Dinners
Math at a restaurant is harder than it should be: 4 people, one tipsy person paying with a different card, a service-charge surprise. The Tip Calculator handles the percentages; this guide handles the etiquette.
Use the calculator
Tip Calculator
Step-by-step
- 1
Tip on pre-tax or post-tax?
Pre-tax is the original "20% of the meal" convention. Post-tax adds maybe $1-2 more on a typical bill. Either is acceptable; consistency matters more.
- 2
Standard percentages
15% poor service, 18% adequate, 20% good, 22-25% great. Below 15% sends a message you may not intend; above 25% is generous, not required.
- 3
Split evenly with the calculator
Enter the bill, tip percentage, and number of people. The Tip Calculator returns per-person total — easiest when everyone shared similar dishes.
- 4
Itemize when ordering varies wildly
If one person had soup and one had steak + cocktails, even split feels unfair. Use a separate split-by-item app, or have each person pay their items + their share of tax/tip.
- 5
Watch for already-included service charge
Many restaurants auto-add 18-20% gratuity for parties of 6+. Read the bill — adding tip on top is double-tipping.
💡 Tips
- Tipping in cash on a card check is fine and usually preferred by servers (some restaurants take a cut of card tips).
- For takeout, 10% is generous; 0-5% is normal. The labor is dramatically less than table service.
- Buffet servers (drink refills, clearing plates) deserve 10% — less than table service but not zero.
FAQ
Do I tip on the alcohol portion?
Yes. Bartenders and servers split tip pools, and pouring a $14 cocktail is real work.
What about international tipping?
Varies wildly. Japan: no tip ever (insulting). Europe: 5-10% if not included. Australia: optional. Stick to local norms; US 20% defaults can offend.
Tip on delivery?
10-15% or $3-5 minimum. Drivers bear gas, vehicle wear, and weather. Bad tippers get bad service over time.