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    Personal finance / dining

    Tip and bill split

    Work out the tip on the pre-tax subtotal, the total on the cheque, and what each person owes. The effective tip rate is shown separately because tipping on the taxed total quietly raises the percentage you think you left.

    Service levelStandardTax8.250%Round-up cost$1.95
    Tip amount
    $15.12
    18.0% of the pre-tax subtotal
    Total bill
    $106.05
    Including tax and tip
    Per person
    $35.35
    Split 3 ways
    Effective tip rate
    14.26%
    Tip as a share of the total paid
    Bill breakdown and split
    Where every dollar of the cheque goes, and what each person owes.
    3 people
    Bill breakdown and split
    LineAmountBasis
    Subtotal (pre-tax)$84.00Food and drink
    Sales tax$6.938.250% of subtotal
    Tip$15.1218.0% of subtotal
    Total$106.05Subtotal + tax + tip
    Per person$35.35$106.05 / 3
    Rounded up per person$36.00$108.00 total, +$1.95
    Effective tip on total14.26%Tip as a share of the cheque

    Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the common convention; tipping on the total silently raises the rate by the tax percentage.

    Inspect the model
    Choose a quick result view, a scaled comparison, or the complete diagnostic set.
    Where the money goes
    Subtotal, tax and tip side by side.
    Where the money goes$0$25$50$75$100$125$84SubtotalSubtotal$7TaxTax$15TipTip$106TotalTotalAmount
    Per-person cost by party size
    The same cheque divided more ways, with the round-up applied.
    Per-person cost by party size$0$24$48$72$96$120112233445566881010Per personRounded up
    Canonical equations
    The exact relationships implemented by this engine.

    T = base × rate · applied to the pre-tax subtotal

    base + tax + tip · the amount actually paid

    total / n · n = party size

    tip / total · lower than the nominal rate by the tax share

    finance methodology

    A clear path from inputs to results.

    A tip is a percentage of the pre-tax subtotal, but the number you actually leave is a smaller share of the total once tax is added. This engine computes both, splits the cheque, and rounds to a figure people can actually pay.

    Step-by-step methodWorked exampleAssumptions explained

    How to use

    1. Enter the pre-tax subtotal from the bill.
    2. Set the tip rate — 15–20% is the usual range for table service in the US.
    3. Enter the local sales tax rate so the total and the effective rate are correct.
    4. Set the party size to split the cheque.
    5. Read the per-person amount and the rounded-up figure.

    The formula

    T=base×r,total=base+tax+T,each=totalnT = \text{base}\times r, \qquad \text{total} = \text{base} + \text{tax} + T, \qquad \text{each} = \frac{\text{total}}{n}

    Reference: US service-tipping convention; state and local sales-tax schedules. The definition of a tip follows the FLSA tipped-employee rule at 29 CFR §531.

    Worked example

    $84 subtotal, 18% tip, 8.25% tax, three people

    Inputs
    • Subtotal $84.
    • Tip 18%, sales tax 8.25%.
    • Party of three.
    Calculation path
    1. 1

      Tax: 84 × 0.0825 = $6.93. Tip: 84 × 0.18 = $15.12.

    2. 2

      Total: 84 + 6.93 + 15.12 = $106.05.

    3. 3

      Per person: 106.05 / 3 = $35.35.

    4. 4

      Rounded up: $36 each, or $108 in total.

    5. 5

      Effective tip on the total: 15.12 / 106.05 = 14.26%, not 18%.

    Result

    Total $106.05 · $35.35 each · effective tip rate 14.26% of the cheque.

    Interpreting the result

    The gap between the nominal 18% and the effective 14.26% surprises people. It exists because tax is not tipped, so the tip is diluted by the tax share of the total. If you want the tip to be 18% of the total you must tip about 19.5% of the subtotal.

    Assumptions & limitations

    • Tip is calculated on the pre-tax subtotal, which is the common US convention.
    • The split is even. Itemised splitting needs each diner’s own subtotal.
    • No service charge is already included; check the bill before adding one.
    • Rounding is up to the next whole currency unit per person.

    Frequently asked questions

    Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?

    Pre-tax is the standard. Tipping on the post-tax total quietly raises your effective rate by the tax percentage, which is why the effective rate is displayed separately here.

    Does the tip change with party size?

    Some restaurants add an automatic gratuity for parties of six or more. Check the bill — if a service charge is already there, the tip you add is on top of it.

    How much should I tip?

    15–20% for table service in the US, with 18% a common default. Buffet and counter service usually sit lower, and many countries include service in the price.

    How do I split unevenly?

    Work out each person’s pre-tax subtotal, apply the same tip and tax rates to each, then sum. Even splitting is only fair when the orders were similar.

    Methodology last reviewed 2026-10-18. Results are informational and not financial or engineering advice — see our disclaimer.