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How to Calculate a Tip and Split a Bill
Published Apr 17, 2026
Tipping customs vary widely by country, but knowing the maths behind tips and bill-splitting means you can handle any situation at the table.
How to Calculate a Tip
Tip amount = Bill total × (Tip % ÷ 100)
Grand total = Bill total + Tip amount
Example: £85 bill, 15% tip:
Tip = 85 × 0.15 = £12.75
Total = 85 + 12.75 = £97.75
Tipping Norms by Country
| Country | Restaurants | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA / Canada | 15–20% | Expected; below 15% signals poor service |
| UK | 10–15% | Often optional; check if service charge is already included |
| Australia | 0–10% | Tipping not expected; labour laws provide minimum wages |
| Germany | Round up or ~5–10% | Pay in cash to the server directly |
| Japan | None | Tipping is considered rude in most contexts |
| India | 5–10% | Common in restaurants; tips often cash |
| UAE | 10–15% | Appreciated; service charge often already added |
Always check the bill for a service charge — if one is included, a tip on top is optional.
Splitting Evenly
When splitting equally:
Per person = (Bill + Tip) ÷ Number of people
Example: £97.75 total split between 4 people = £24.44 each
Splitting by What Each Person Ordered
When people order very different amounts, an even split feels unfair. Calculate each person's share:
- Add up each person's items.
- Calculate the tip for each share proportionally:
Person's tip = (Person's subtotal ÷ Bill total) × Total tip - Each person pays their subtotal + their proportional tip.
Example: Alice £30, Bob £55 — total £85, 15% tip (£12.75):
- Alice: 30 + (30/85 × 12.75) = 30 + 4.50 = £34.50
- Bob: 55 + (55/85 × 12.75) = 55 + 8.25 = £63.25
Mental Maths Shortcuts
| Tip % | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| 10% | Move the decimal one place left |
| 15% | Find 10%, then add half of that |
| 20% | Find 10%, then double it |
| 25% | Divide by 4 |
10% of £64 = £6.40 → 15% = £6.40 + £3.20 = £9.60
What About a Group With Alcohol and Non-Drinkers?
The fairest approach: calculate alcohol separately, split it among those who drank, then split food evenly (or by order). Use the Tip Splitter to handle any combination of diners, amounts, and tip percentages without the table arithmetic.