Tip Calculator
Quick tip maths, plus a per-person split and a note on what to do when service is already on the bill.
The calculation
The one thing worth getting right is the base. If the bill already includes a 12.5 % service charge, tipping a further 15 % on the post-service total means tipping on the tip. Entering the service percentage strips it out first, so the additional tip is calculated on the food and drink alone.
The mental shortcut for 15 %: take 10 % by moving the decimal point one place left, halve it to get 5 %, and add the two together. For 20 %, double the 10 % figure.
Tipping customs vary enormously
| Country | Restaurant norm |
|---|---|
| United States | 18–22 %; staff wages often depend on it |
| Canada | 15–20 % |
| United Kingdom | 10–12.5 %, frequently added as service |
| France, Spain, Italy | Service usually included; rounding up is common |
| Germany, Netherlands | 5–10 %, often just rounding up |
| Japan, South Korea | No tipping; it can cause offence |
| Australia, New Zealand | Not expected; 10 % for exceptional service |
The United States is the outlier that shapes most online advice, because tipped minimum wages there can be far below the standard minimum and tips make up the difference. In countries where staff are paid a full wage, the same percentages are neither expected nor necessary.
Splitting fairly
An even split is simplest and works when everyone ate similarly. It becomes unfair quickly when one person had a starter and three courses of wine and another had soup and tap water.
The practical compromise most groups settle on: split evenly, but let anyone who had significantly less pay their own items plus a proportional share of the tip. For larger groups, splitting by item and adding the same tip percentage to each share keeps the gratuity fair without argument.
Note that many restaurants add a mandatory service charge for parties above a certain size — often six or eight — so check the bill before adding anything further.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Convention in the US is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal, though many people simply use the total for speed. The difference on a $100 meal is a couple of dollars. In countries where tax is already included in menu prices the question does not arise.
Do I still tip if service was added?
Generally no — that is what the service charge is. Adding more is entirely optional and reserved for genuinely exceptional service. It is worth asking whether the service charge actually reaches the staff; in some places it does not, and a cash tip is more reliable.
Can I refuse a discretionary service charge?
In the UK and many other countries, yes — if it is described as discretionary or optional, you can ask for it to be removed, typically where service was poor. A charge described as mandatory and disclosed before ordering is part of the contract.