What this calculator does
The Tip and Tax Calculator turns a restaurant bill into a clear, fair total. Enter the food and drink subtotal, your local sales tax rate, the gratuity percentage you want to leave, and how many people are sharing the bill. The tool adds tax and tip to the subtotal and divides the grand total evenly, so everyone pays the same amount with no awkward mental math at the table.
How to use it
Type the pre-tax subtotal (the price of the items only). Enter your sales tax rate as a percentage — this varies by country, state, and city, so check your receipt. Choose a tip percentage; 15–20% is typical at sit-down restaurants in the United States. Finally, set the number of people splitting the check. The result shows the total bill and the amount each person owes, plus a breakdown of tax and tip.
The formula explained
The grand total is calculated as $$\text{Total} = \text{Subtotal} \times (1 + \text{taxRate}) + \text{Subtotal} \times \text{tipRate}$$. Note the tip here is calculated on the pre-tax subtotal, which is the customary base in the US. Each diner pays \(\text{Total} \div \text{people}\).
Worked example
Suppose the subtotal is $50.00, sales tax is 8%, and you tip 18%, split between 2 people. $$\text{Tax} = 50 \times 0.08 = \$4.00$$ $$\text{Tip} = 50 \times 0.18 = \$9.00$$ $$\text{Total} = 50 + 4 + 9 = \$63.00$$ $$\text{Per person} = 63 \div 2 = \$31.50$$
FAQ
Is the tip calculated before or after tax? This calculator tips on the pre-tax subtotal, the common US convention. If you prefer to tip on the after-tax amount, add the tax to the subtotal before entering it.
What tip percentage should I leave? In the US, 15% is standard, 18–20% is generous, and 20%+ rewards excellent service. Customs differ worldwide — in many countries tipping is optional or already included.
Can I split unevenly? This tool splits evenly. For uneven splits, calculate each person's items separately and apply the same tax and tip rates.
