Tip Calculator

Standard table-service tipping in the US is 18–20% on the pre-tax bill, with 15% considered the floor and 25% reserved for outstanding service. Servers in most states earn a sub-minimum 'tipped wage' (federal $2.13/hr, higher in some states), so tipping is a meaningful share of their income — it's not optional in the way it is in much of Europe. Bartenders typically get $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of the tab; coffee counters and food trucks vary widely.

Pre-tax is the standard etiquette guide answer — taxes are not part of the service. In practice many people just tip on the total because it's simpler, especially with card payments where the suggested amounts on the receipt are calculated on the post-tax figure. The difference at a typical 8% sales tax is small (a $5 bill at 20% tip is $0.40 either way per $5).

Takeaway is genuinely optional — many people tip $1–2 or 10% if the staff prepared anything more than handing over a bag. For delivery, 15–20% on the food cost (or $5 minimum on small orders) is standard, even if the app already charges a delivery fee — that fee usually doesn't go to the driver. Tip in cash or in-app before the order is delivered to make sure it reaches the courier.

Some restaurants — particularly in big cities and for groups of 6+ — add an automatic gratuity or service charge of 18–20%. If the bill already includes one, you've tipped; no need to add more, although a small additional tip on top is appreciated for exceptional service. Always read the bill before signing — auto-grat is sometimes shown above the tip line where you'd add more, leading to double-tipping by accident.

Even-split (this calculator's output) is the social default and easiest at the table. If shares are wildly uneven, the cleaner option is to itemise — each person pays for what they ordered plus their own share of tax and tip at the table's chosen rate. The tip percentage applies to each individual subtotal the same way it would to the whole bill.