Question 1

How much should I tip at a restaurant?

Accepted Answer

15% is considered standard for adequate service, 18–20% for good service, and 20–25%+ for exceptional service. In the US, tipping is expected in sit-down restaurants. For takeout, 10–15% is appreciated but not required. For delivery, 15–20% is customary, especially given the effort involved.

Question 2

Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?

Accepted Answer

There's no universal rule, but most people tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Since this calculator uses the bill amount you enter, just enter your pre-tax subtotal if you prefer that method, or the post-tax total if you prefer tipping on the full amount. The difference is usually small.

Question 3

How does the "round up total" option work?

Accepted Answer

When enabled, the total (bill + tip) is rounded up to the next whole dollar. The extra cents go toward your tip. This makes it easier to pay with cash or split cleanly. For example, if your total comes to $47.83, rounding up gives $48.00 — a clean number that's easy to split or pay.

Question 4

How does splitting work for odd totals?

Accepted Answer

The calculator divides the total evenly and shows each person's share to the cent. In practice with cash, round up one person's share by a cent or two if the division doesn't come out even. Card payments handle the math exactly.

Question 5

What tip percentage is normal for different services?

Accepted Answer

Restaurant servers: 18–22%. Bartenders: $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of tab. Hotel housekeeping: $2–5/night. Food delivery: 15–20% (minimum $3–5). Taxi/rideshare: 15–20%. Hair/nail salon: 15–20%. Skip the tip at counter-service restaurants, fast food, and self-serve establishments.

TIP CALCULATOR

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1.How much should I tip at a restaurant?

Q2.Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?

Q3.How does the "round up total" option work?

Q4.How does splitting work for odd totals?

Q5.What tip percentage is normal for different services?