Tip Calculator

15% is generally considered the minimum for adequate sit-down restaurant service, 18-20% is the widely accepted standard, and 22-25% signals excellent service. Many credit card machines now suggest 20%, 22%, or 25% as default options, which has gradually shifted expectations upward.

Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is technically correct -- you are rewarding the server for their service, not for the government's tax. In practice the difference on a $50 bill in a 10% tax area is less than a dollar, so either approach is fine. Tipping on the total is far more common and servers will not notice either way.

This calculator splits evenly per person. For uneven splits, divide the check item by item, then apply the same tip percentage to each person's subtotal. Many restaurants will split a check across multiple cards if you ask before ordering.

There is no obligation to tip on purely counter or takeout orders, but 10-15% is appreciated when staff bag complicated orders or when you are a regular. The growing prevalence of digital tip prompts at counters has made this a more common expectation, but it remains optional.