How much should you tip?
In the United States, 15–20% is the standard for table service, with 18% a common middle ground and 20%+ for great service. Counter service and takeout are typically 0–10%, delivery 10–15% (with a sensible minimum), and bartenders $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of the tab. In much of Europe and Asia, service is included or tipping is modest rounding — check local custom when traveling.
The math
An $86.40 bill at 18% adds a $15.55 tip for a $101.95 total — $50.98 each for two people.
Quick tip table
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $40 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| $60 | $9.00 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $15.00 |
| $80 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
Mental shortcut for 20%
Move the decimal one place left and double it: on $86.40, 10% is $8.64, doubled to $17.28. For 15%, take 10% plus half of that again ($8.64 + $4.32 = $12.96).
Frequently asked questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Convention says pre-tax, and no server will object to that. In practice many people tip on the total for simplicity — on a typical bill the difference is under a dollar per person.
What's a fair tip for bad service?
10% signals dissatisfaction while acknowledging that US servers are taxed on assumed tips and share them with support staff. If something went seriously wrong, speaking with a manager fixes more than a zero tip does.
How does tipping work for large groups?
Many restaurants automatically add 18–20% 'gratuity' or 'service charge' for parties of 6–8+. Check the bill before adding your own tip — you'd be double-tipping otherwise.
Do I tip if there's a service charge?
If the bill already includes a mandatory service charge, an additional tip is optional — small rounding for exceptional service at most. A 'service fee' that doesn't go to staff is a different matter; you can ask.
Is it rude to split the bill unevenly?
Not at all — splitting by what each person ordered is common. This calculator splits evenly; for itemized splits, compute each person's items plus their share of tax and tip proportional to their subtotal.