Tip Calculator
Work out the tip, the grand total, and what each person owes when you split the check.
Total $59.00 · $29.50 each across 2 people
An 18% tip on a $50 bill is 50 × 18 ÷ 100 = $9. Add it to the bill for a total of $50 + $9 = $59. Split two ways, that is $59 ÷ 2 = $29.50 each. Change the percentage or head count and the tip, total, and share update together.
What a tip really is
A tip is simply a percentage of the bill added on top. Pick the share you want to leave — say 18% — multiply the bill by it, and you have the tip. The total is the bill plus that tip, and splitting it just means dividing the total by the number of people. Every figure here flows from one starting number: the bill.
total = bill + tip · per person = total ÷ number of people
Worked example
A $50 dinner, an 18% tip, split between 2 people.
- 1 Multiply the bill by the tip percent. 50 × 18 = 900.
- 2 Divide by 100 to get the tip. 900 ÷ 100 = $9.
- 3 Add the tip to the bill. $50 + $9 = $59 total.
- 4 Divide by the head count. $59 ÷ 2 = $29.50 each.
Common tip rates on a $50 bill
In the U.S., 15–20% is the usual range for sit-down restaurant service; 20% or more rewards excellent service. Norms vary widely by country and by service type.
| Tip % | Tip on $50 | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $5.00 | $55.00 |
| 15% | $7.50 | $57.50 |
| 18% | $9.00 | $59.00 |
| 20% | $10.00 | $60.00 |
| 25% | $12.50 | $62.50 |
Pre-tax vs. post-tax, splitting, and rounding
Strictly, a tip is meant to reward service, so it is calculated on the pre-tax bill. In practice many people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity; on a $50 bill the difference is only a dollar or two. This calculator tips on whatever bill figure you enter, so type the pre-tax amount if you want the precise version.
Splitting divides the grand total evenly. If the dishes were lopsided, tip on each person’s own subtotal instead and add them up. Rounding is a matter of taste: many people round the tip up to a whole dollar, or round the total up to the nearest $5 to keep the math friendly. The numbers above are exact; round them however suits the table.