Calculate tips quickly at common percentages (10%, 15%, 18%, 20%) or enter a custom tip amount. Split bills evenly between people and see how much each person pays including tip.
Tipping customs vary dramatically by country and culture. In the United States and Canada, tipping 15-20% in restaurants is standard and often expected, as servers typically earn minimum wage or less and rely on tips for their income. UK tipping culture is more relaxed: 10-12.5% in restaurants is common but not mandatory, especially if a service charge is already included on the bill. Always check your bill carefully as some establishments automatically add a service charge which you're entitled to refuse if service was poor. In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is not expected as workers earn full wages, though rounding up or leaving small change for exceptional service is appreciated. Many European countries follow similar norms to the UK with 5-10% being typical. In Japan, tipping can actually be considered rude as excellent service is the baseline expectation. Some countries like South Korea and China traditionally don't have tipping cultures, though Western-style restaurants in major cities increasingly accept tips from tourists.
Tipping amounts vary by service type and country. In the US for restaurants, 15-20% is standard for good service, 10-15% for adequate service, and you can tip less or nothing for genuinely poor service (though consider complaining to management rather than stiffing the server). For takeaway or counter service, tipping isn't expected but 10% or rounding up is generous. Bartenders typically receive £1-2 per drink or 15-20% of the total bar tab. Food delivery drivers should get 10-15% or a minimum of £3-5, more in bad weather or for large orders. Taxi or rideshare drivers receive 10-15% or round up to the nearest convenient amount. Hairdressers and barbers typically get 15-20%, especially if you're a regular client. Hotel porters expect £1-2 per bag, housekeeping £2-5 per night (leave daily as staff changes), and concierges get £5-20 depending on the service provided. For tour guides, £5-10 per person for group tours, more for private guides. Coffee shop tip jars are optional—loose change or 10% for complex orders is appreciated but never required. Beauty services like massages, facials, or spa treatments warrant 15-20%. Remember that tips should reflect service quality, not just be automatic percentages.
In the UK, restaurants can add a discretionary service charge (typically 10-12.5%) to your bill, which should be clearly stated on the menu and bill. This charge is optional and you have the legal right to refuse it or request it be reduced if service was poor. If you're happy with the service, the added charge is sufficient and no additional tip is necessary, though some diners round up for exceptional service. Be aware that service charges don't always go entirely to staff—they may be distributed among all staff, used to top up wages to minimum wage, or even retained partially by management. Some establishments use an "optional service charge" phrasing to make it feel mandatory when it's not. Always check your bill carefully as some places add service charge to the subtotal then calculate VAT on top, inflating the total. In the US, a mandatory gratuity (usually 18-20%) is sometimes added for large groups (typically 6+ people), which is legally enforceable as it's stated on the menu. If unsure whether service charge was included, ask your server before adding an additional tip to avoid double-tipping. When paying by card, some card machines prompt for a tip even when service charge is included—read carefully before selecting a percentage.
Simple even splits work well when everyone ordered similarly priced items: divide the total bill (including tip) by the number of people. However, this can feel unfair if one person had a salad while another had steak and multiple drinks. For itemized splits, calculate each person's share of the pre-tip bill, then add the proportional tip. For example, if Person A's food was £30 of a £100 bill, they cover £30 plus 30% of the total tip (£3 if tipping £10 total). Many modern payment apps and restaurant point-of-sale systems can split bills this way automatically. When someone didn't drink alcohol, a common courtesy is excluding drinks from their portion of the bill. If one person insists on paying, others can offer to cover the entire tip as a compromise. For regular friend groups, rotating who pays can average out over time. Avoid the awkward "I only had a salad" conversation by agreeing upfront how to split the bill. Remember that service staff appreciate one or two payment methods rather than eight separate cards each covering exact amounts. If you must split precisely, use a bill-splitting app like Splitwise or Settle Up to calculate fairly, then pay the restaurant in one or two transactions and settle up privately later. Consider who invited whom—if someone invited you to a specific restaurant, there's often an implied expectation they'll pay, though offering to split is polite.
Bill: £85.50. Tip at 15%: £85.50 × 0.15 = £12.83. Total with tip: £85.50 + £12.83 = £98.33. Per person: £98.33 ÷ 2 = £49.17 each. This is a typical scenario for a couple dining out in the UK where 15% tip is considered generous for good service.
Bill: £32.00. Tip at 10%: £32.00 × 0.10 = £3.20. Total: £35.20. While tipping on takeaway isn't standard in the UK, 10% is a nice gesture especially if you're a regular customer or the order was ready quickly.
Bill: £125.00. Tip at 18%: £125.00 × 0.18 = £22.50. Total: £147.50. Per person: £147.50 ÷ 4 = £36.88 each. An 18% tip is appropriate for excellent bar service, especially if your bartender made complex cocktails or handled a busy tab efficiently throughout the evening.
Always tip in cash when possible, as card tips may take longer to reach staff or be subject to processing fees, and some establishments have been known to improperly distribute card tips. If paying by card, many payment terminals now prompt for tip percentages before processing—these typically go to staff but verify with the restaurant if concerned. Check whether service charge is included before adding tip to avoid overtipping. If service was genuinely poor, it's acceptable to tip less or nothing, but consider whether the issue was your server's fault or kitchen/management issues beyond their control. When using discount vouchers or promotional offers, calculate tip based on the original bill amount before discount, not the reduced price you paid. For counter service where you order and collect your own food, tipping isn't expected, but tip jars are there if you want to show appreciation. Never feel pressured to tip a specific amount—it's your money and your choice based on service quality. If dining in a group, designate one person to collect money and handle payment to avoid confusion. Remember servers' livelihoods: in the US particularly, servers often earn as little as $2-3 hourly and depend on tips. If you can't afford to tip 15-20% in a full-service restaurant, consider takeaway or quick-service options instead. Finally, exceptional service deserves exceptional tips—if someone went above and beyond, don't hesitate to tip 25-30% or speak to a manager to commend them, as positive feedback matters as much as the extra money.