What is the standard tip at a restaurant?

In the US, 15-20% is standard. 15% for acceptable service, 18% for good service, and 20%+ for excellent service. In most other countries, 5-10% or nothing is the norm.

Technically, you tip on the pre-tax amount. However, many people tip on the total for convenience. The difference is small — about 50-85 cents on a $100 bill.

What is auto-gratuity?

Auto-gratuity is a fixed tip percentage (usually 18%) automatically added to bills for large parties. It must be disclosed on the menu. You are not required to tip extra unless service was exceptional.

Is it rude not to tip?

In the US, yes — servers depend on tips and earn as little as $2.13/hr. In most other countries, tipping is optional and not expected.

How do I split a bill fairly?

Use equal split for similar orders, or custom split when people ordered very different amounts. Our custom split lets you assign different shares to each person.

In which countries is tipping offensive?

Japan, South Korea, and China consider tipping insulting. It implies the employer does not pay fair wages or that the server needs charity. Excellent service is the cultural standard, not something extra to reward.

Tip Calculator — Instant Tips, Bill Splitting & Worldwide Tipping Guide

Calculate tips instantly. Split bills equally or custom. 40+ country tipping customs, service quality rating, auto-gratuity check & server wage estimator.

Calculate the perfect tip for any situation. This free tip calculator goes beyond basic math — split bills equally or with custom shares, discover tipping customs for 40+ countries, get smart tip suggestions based on service quality, check auto-gratuity rules, see pre-tax vs post-tax tip savings, and understand what your tip means for servers. No other free tool offers this level of detail.

How to Use This Tip Calculator

Enter your bill amount and choose a tip percentage using the quick-select buttons or the slider. Adjust the split count if sharing with others, and select rounding options if desired. Switch between tabs to explore worldwide tipping customs, get service-quality-based suggestions, or use advanced financial tools like the server wage estimator and annual tip savings calculator.

Enter Your Bill

Type the total bill amount. The calculator instantly shows tip and total at every percentage.

Choose Tip Percentage

Select from presets (10-30%) or enter a custom amount. The slider gives fine control.

Split the Bill

Use equal split or custom shares where each person pays a different proportion.

Explore Smart Features

Check worldwide customs, rate service quality, or estimate server earnings.

Understanding Tipping Culture Around the World

Tipping customs vary dramatically across countries and can even be offensive in some cultures. In Japan, South Korea, and China, tipping is not practiced and can be interpreted as an insult, implying the server needs charity. In contrast, the United States has one of the most entrenched tipping cultures, where servers rely on tips for 70-80% of their income due to the federal tipped minimum wage of just $2.13 per hour. European countries generally include service in the bill, with small additional tips being optional. Our tool covers 40+ countries so you always know the local custom.

Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax Tipping

One of the most debated tipping questions: should you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount? Tipping on the pre-tax amount saves you money and is considered perfectly acceptable by etiquette experts. The difference is typically 0.5-1% of the bill amount depending on your local tax rate. Our calculator shows both amounts side by side so you can make an informed choice.

Tipping Best Practices

Knowing when and how much to tip can be confusing. These guidelines cover the most common situations and help you navigate tipping with confidence, whether you are dining locally or traveling abroad.

Always Check for Auto-Gratuity

Restaurants often add 18% gratuity for parties of 6 or more. Check your bill before adding an additional tip.

Tip on Pre-Discount Amount

If you use a coupon or discount, tip on the original bill amount. The server did the same work.

Round Up for Simplicity

Rounding the total to the nearest dollar makes payment easier and often adds a small bonus tip.

Cash Tips Are Preferred

Servers receive cash tips immediately. Credit card tips may be delayed and taxed differently.

Adjust for Service Quality

Use our service rating feature to calculate a fair tip based on speed, friendliness, accuracy, and attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping

Common questions about tipping etiquette, calculations, and customs answered in detail.