The Ultimate Guide to Tipping and Gratuity
Whether you are dining out at a restaurant, ordering food delivery, or getting a haircut, knowing how much to tip is an essential part of modern etiquette. Our Tip Calculator takes the guesswork out of the math, ensuring you leave the right amount every time. But why do we tip, and how is it calculated?
Why Use a Tip Calculator?
While calculating a 10% tip is often easy mental math, determining 18% or 20% on a complex bill—and then splitting that total among five friends—can quickly become frustrating. Using a digital gratuity calculator ensures:
- Accuracy: Avoid overpaying or underpaying service staff.
- Speed: Get the total instantly without pulling out a pen and paper.
- Fairness: The "Split Bill" feature ensures everyone pays their exact share of the total cost.
Standard Tipping Etiquette (Cheat Sheet)
Tipping norms vary by country and service type. Below is a general guide for tipping in the United States and Canada:
1. Restaurants (Sit-down)
The standard for good service is generally 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill.
- 15%: Standard service.
- 18-20%: Good to Great service.
- 25%+: Exceptional service.
Note: If you have a large party (usually 6 or more people), many restaurants will automatically add an 18% gratuity. Always check your bill first!
2. Food Delivery
For pizza or app-based food delivery, a tip of 10% to 15% is customary. However, if the weather is bad (rain/snow) or the order is large, consider tipping 20% or a minimum of $5.00.
3. Bartenders
It is standard practice to tip $1 to $2 per drink, or 15-20% of the total tab if you are running a card.
How to Calculate a Tip Manually
If you find yourself without internet access and need to calculate a tip, here is the simple math formula:
Tip Amount = Bill Total × (Tip Percentage ÷ 100)
Example:
Your dinner bill is $50.00 and you want to leave a 20% tip.
1. Convert 20% to a decimal: 0.20
2. Multiply: $50.00 × 0.20 = $10.00
3. Total to Pay: $50.00 + $10.00 = $60.00
Calculating Tips Before or After Tax?
A common question is whether you should tip on the subtotal (before tax) or the total (after tax). Etiquette experts generally agree that you should calculate the tip based on the pre-tax subtotal. However, many people simply tip on the final total for simplicity. Our calculator allows you to enter the final number you see on your check for the quickest result.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is gratuity the same as a service charge?
No. A gratuity (tip) is voluntary and goes directly to the server. A service charge is a mandatory fee added by the restaurant (often for large groups or private events) and is technically the property of the restaurant, though it is often used to pay staff wages.
What if the service was bad?
In the US, servers often rely on tips as their primary income because their base hourly wage is lower than the minimum wage. If service was poor, it is still polite to leave 10% to 15%, but you may speak to a manager to address specific issues.
Does this calculator save my data?
No. This tool runs entirely in your browser. No data about your spending or calculations is sent to our servers, ensuring your financial privacy.