Tip Calculator
Calculate the right tip amount, see the pre-tax vs post-tax difference, and split the bill fairly among your group. Updated for 2026 with the OBBBA tip income deduction.
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How to Use This Calculator
Quick Tip tab
The default tab. Enter your bill amount, tip percentage, and number of people. The calculator instantly shows your tip, total bill, and per-person split. Expand "More options" to round the tip to the nearest dollar or $5, or override with a custom tip amount.
Pre-Tax Tip tab
Enter the subtotal before tax, the tax amount from your receipt, and your desired tip percentage. See the difference between tipping on the subtotal vs. the full total — and how much you'd save over a year of dining out. Expand "More options" to split among multiple people.
Split Bill tab
Enter the total bill, number of people, and tip percentage. Get each person's share including tip. The calculator also shows a fair split suggestion when someone ordered much less. Includes the 2025–2028 OBBBA tip income deduction info for service workers.
Share your result
Every input is encoded in the URL. Click Share to send your exact calculation to friends splitting the bill or to save for reference.
The Formula
Calculating a tip is straightforward:
Total = Subtotal + Tax + Tip
Per Person = Total ÷ Number of People
Pre-tax savings = (Total × Rate) − (Subtotal × Rate)
The key insight with pre-tax tipping is that you're tipping on the food and service, not the government's cut. On an 8% sales tax, tipping 20% on the total means you're effectively tipping 21.6% on the food.
Over a year of dining out twice a week, the difference between pre-tax and post-tax tipping can add up to $50–$150 depending on your local tax rate.
Example
Sarah — Dinner with friends, Austin TX
Sarah and 3 friends go out for dinner. The bill is $180 before tip. They want to leave a 20% tip and split evenly. Austin sales tax is 8.25%.
Quick Tip tab
Each person pays $54.00 — $45 for food plus $9 for tip.
Pre-Tax Tip tab
By tipping on the subtotal instead of the total, Sarah's group saves $2.97 this meal. Dining out twice a week, that's $309/year.
2026 Tipping Guide
| Service | Suggested Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurant | 18–20% | 20% is the new standard; 15% for poor service |
| Buffet | 10% | Server still refills drinks and clears plates |
| Takeout / pickup | 0–10% | Not expected but appreciated; 10% if complex order |
| Delivery (food apps) | 15–20% | At least $3–$5 minimum regardless of order size |
| Coffee / counter service | $1–$2 or 15% | Not obligatory; round up or tip jar |
| Bartender | $1–$2/drink or 15–20% | $1 per beer/wine, $2 per cocktail, or 20% on tab |
| Hair salon / barbershop | 15–20% | Tip each person who serves you |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–$5/night | Leave daily, not just at checkout |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | 15–20% | In-app tipping; minimum $2–$3 |
| Valet parking | $3–$5 | Tip when car is returned |
Average US restaurant tip: 19.4% at full-service restaurants (2026, Toast/NRA data). The national average has held steady between 19–20% since 2023.