Tip Calculator
Tip, total, and everyone's share — settled before the card hits the table.
Tip and split the bill
The math (and the mental shortcut)
On an $86.40 dinner at 20% split two ways: the tip is $17.28, the total is $103.68, and each person pays $51.84. The classic no-phone shortcut: move the decimal one place left to get 10% ($8.64), then double it for 20% ($17.28). For 15%, take the 10% and add half of it again.
How much to tip in the US
Customs vary by setting, but mainstream US practice looks like this: sit-down restaurants 18–20% (15% reads as below-average service these days in most cities), bars $1–2 per drink or 20% on a tab, food delivery 15–20% with a sensible minimum of a few dollars, hair and personal services 15–20%, taxis and rideshares 10–20%, and counter-service tip screens genuinely your call — tipping for hand-you-a-muffin transactions is appreciated but not obligatory. Hotel housekeeping ($2–5 per night, left daily) is the most commonly forgotten tip in America.
Tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Etiquette tradition says pre-tax; in practice most people tip on the total because it's the number staring at them, and the difference is small — on a $100 bill with 8% tax, 20% pre-tax versus post-tax is $20.00 versus $21.60. Pick whichever feels right; nobody at the table is auditing.
Watch for service charges
Many restaurants now add an automatic service charge or large-party gratuity of 18–22%. Check the bill before adding a tip on top — a service charge usually is the tip, though policies on where that money goes vary. When a charge is listed, ask or read the fine print; tipping an extra few percent for exceptional service on top of a service charge is generous but entirely optional.
Frequently asked questions
Is 15% still an acceptable tip?
It won't cause a scene, but US norms have drifted upward — 18–20% is standard for table service, with 15% generally read as a signal of mediocre service.
Should I tip on takeout?
Optional. Many people tip 5–10% on large or complicated takeout orders, and nothing on a simple grab-and-go. Delivery is different — the driver should get 15–20%.
How do we split when one person ordered much more?
Itemized splitting is fair and apps make it painless: each person covers their items plus their proportional share of tax and tip. For small differences, even splits keep dinner friendly — alternate who 'wins' over time.
Do I tip if there's already a service charge?
Generally no — an 18–22% service charge takes the place of the tip. If service was exceptional, an extra 5% or cash directly to your server is a kind gesture, not an obligation.
Why does the per-person amount end in odd cents?
Division rarely lands on round numbers. Round each share up to the next dollar — servers never complain, and the math stays simple.
How tip percentages are calculated
A tip is a percentage of the pre-tax bill: Tip = Bill × (Tip% ÷ 100). For a $95 dinner at 20%: $95 × 0.20 = $19. Total: $114. Splitting 4 ways: $28.50 each. The cleanest approach when splitting: calculate the full total including tip first, then divide equally — this avoids the rounding errors that come from tipping individually on separate subtotals.
Current US tipping standards
- Sit-down restaurants: 18–20% is the current standard. 20–25% for excellent service. 15% reads as below-average in most cities today — norms have shifted upward over the past decade driven partly by digital payment systems presetting higher amounts.
- Bars: $1–2 per drink for simple pours; 15–20% on cocktails.
- Food delivery: 15% minimum; delivery platform fees do not go to the driver — the tip does.
- Rideshare: 15–20%. Drivers see tip ratings; it affects their acceptance scores.
- Coffee shops / counter service: No universal expectation for pre-made items. $1–2 for made-to-order espresso drinks is appreciated but not required.
- Hotels: $2–5 per night for housekeeping (left daily, not at checkout — different staff may clean each day). $1–2 per bag for bellhops.
- Hair and nail salons: 15–20% of the service charge.
Tipping in Las Vegas — what locals know
Las Vegas runs on service workers and the tip culture reflects that. A few norms specific to Vegas:
Casino dealers: Tipping dealers is legal and encouraged. Common method: place a chip "for the dealer" in front of your main bet, or tip directly after a big win. Most major casinos pool dealer tips.
Cocktail servers (casino floor): Drinks delivered to players are typically free while gambling. A $1–2 tip per drink is expected and keeps the service frequent. Not tipping is noticed.
Valet parking: $2–5 when picking up is standard on the Strip. Many Strip properties no longer offer free self-parking.
Resort fees: Vegas hotels charge $30–50+ per night in resort fees. These fees do not replace tips — they cover amenities, not staff compensation.
Real scenarios — the math at different levels
Scenario 1 — Dinner for two, Strip restaurant, $165 bill: 18% = $29.70, 20% = $33, 25% (exceptional) = $41.25.
Scenario 2 — Group of 6, local restaurant, $280 subtotal: 20% tip = $56. Total = $336. Per person = $56 even. Split evenly after tip — simpler and more accurate than calculating individually.
Scenario 3 — UberEats delivery, $47 order: Platform delivery fee goes to Uber, not the driver. A 15% tip = $7.05 goes directly to the driver. Drivers consistently report that $5 is a meaningful minimum for any delivery regardless of order size, given time and fuel costs.
Pre-tax vs. post-tax tipping
Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the technical standard — you tip on the value of service, not a government tax. In practice the difference is small: on a $100 meal with 8.375% Nevada tax, the tip difference is $1.68 between pre-tax and post-tax calculation. Most people tip on the total for simplicity. Neither is wrong.
When gratuity is included automatically
Many restaurants add 18–20% gratuity automatically for parties of 6 or more. Always check your bill before adding an additional tip. The terms "service charge" versus "gratuity" can legally mean different things — in some states a service charge is restaurant revenue, not guaranteed to the server. If in doubt, ask your server directly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good tip percentage?
20% is the current standard for good service at a sit-down restaurant. 18% is acceptable, 15% reads as below-standard in most cities. For exceptional service, 25% or more is not unusual. These norms are higher than a decade ago, driven partly by digital payment systems that anchor people to higher presets.
Should I tip on the total with tax or just the subtotal?
Either is fine. Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the technical standard. Most servers will not know or care which you chose — the difference on a $100 meal with 8% tax is about $1.60.
How do I split the bill with different amounts ordered?
The cleanest method: ask the server to split by item into separate checks before paying. If that's not possible, calculate the full total including tip and divide per person proportionally. Splitting the tip evenly in casual settings is also common and acceptable.
Is it okay not to tip at a coffee shop?
Yes, for pre-made items. There is no established expectation for tipping on drip coffee or pre-packaged items. For made-to-order espresso drinks requiring skill and time, $1–2 is appreciated but not mandatory. Tip when the service warranted it — that is the original purpose.
Do delivery fees go to the driver?
Typically no. Platform delivery fees go to the company. Drivers are paid a separate per-delivery rate that is often below minimum wage after expenses. The tip goes directly to the driver — this is why tipping on delivery matters more than many people realize.
How do I tip a casino dealer in Las Vegas?
Two common methods: place a chip in front of your main bet "for the dealer" (if it wins, both win; if it loses, both lose), or hand a chip directly after a big win. Dealers at most major casinos pool tips. Any amount is appreciated — $5 chips are common for table players.
What is an appropriate tip for hotel housekeeping?
$2–5 per night, left daily rather than at checkout — different staff may clean each day, and a tip left only at the end may not reach the person who cleaned most nights. Leave it on the pillow or dresser with a note saying "Thank you — Housekeeping."
Disclaimer: Tip amounts are suggestions based on current customs. No tipping amount is legally required. Practices vary by region, establishment type, and service context.