Tip Calculator

How to calculate a tip (and what this tool does)

A tip rewards service. In the United States, people usually tip a percentage of the bill rather than a flat dollar amount. This tip calculator multiplies your chosen tip percentage by either the pre-tax subtotal (default) or the post-tax total, then shows tip, sales tax, and grand total as separate lines so nothing is buried in one number.

Core formulas:

• Sales tax (optional) = pre-tax bill × (tax% ÷ 100)
• Tip base = pre-tax bill or (pre-tax bill + sales tax), depending on the toggle
• Tip amount = tip base × (tip% ÷ 100); optional round tip up to the next dollar
• Grand total = pre-tax bill + sales tax + tip
• Per person = grand total ÷ number of people

Results update as you type — no submit button. Use quick presets 15% / 18% / 20% / 25%, the slider for any rate from 0–40%, service-type benchmarks, voice input where the browser supports it, and a shareable result card. Prefer a state tip calculator when you want that state’s sales tax rate pre-filled, or read our US tipping guide for etiquette context. Browse all Finance calculators for related money tools.

Pre-tax vs post-tax tipping

Pre-tax (recommended default): tip only on food and service. Sales tax is a government charge, not part of what the server provided.

Post-tax: tip on the receipt total after tax. Convenient at a busy table; the tip is a little higher whenever sales tax is non-zero.

Example on an $86.50 bill with 8% tax and an 18% tip:

1. Tax = 86.50 × 0.08 = $6.92
2. Pre-tax tip = 86.50 × 0.18 = $15.57 → grand total $108.99
3. Post-tax tip = (86.50 + 6.92) × 0.18 = $16.82 → grand total $110.24

Same percentage, different tip base — about $1.25 more when tipping after tax in this example. Toggle the control to compare on your own check.

Splitting the check and rounding up

Set Split between to your party size for an even share of bill + tax + tip. Turn on Round tip up when you want a whole-dollar tip for cash or a cleaner card line (the tip is ceiled; tax and bill stay exact). Compare 15–25% side by side in the scenario table before anyone pays.

Worked example (two people, 18%, pre-tax)

Pre-tax bill $86.50, tip 18%, sales tax 0% for simplicity, split by 2:

1. Tip = 86.50 × 0.18 = $15.57
2. Grand total = 86.50 + 15.57 = $102.07
3. Each person = 102.07 ÷ 2 = $51.04

At 20% the tip is $17.30 and each pays $51.90. Add your local tax rate (or open Texas, California, New York, and other state pages) when the receipt shows tax you want in the total.

Methodology and notes

Benchmarks and examples use US dollars and everyday US tipping customs for 2026. Expectations vary by venue, country, and whether a service charge is already included — always read the receipt. Suggestions are rule-based (not a live AI). Math runs in your browser; we do not store your bill on a server. For federal pay planning after dinner, see the GS Pay Calculator.