Why Tip Math Trips People Up
The bill arrives, everyone is ready to pay, and suddenly you need to work out a 20% tip and divide it by four people. Doing that in your head under pressure leads to mistakes, either overpaying or leaving the group short. A few simple steps make it quick.
The Three-Step Method
- Find the tip amount. Multiply the bill by the tip rate. For a 20% tip, multiply by 0.20.
- Add the tip to the bill. This is the total the group owes.
- Divide by the number of people. That gives each person's share.
A Worked Example
Say the bill is $86.40 for four people and you want to leave a 20% tip:
- Tip: $86.40 x 0.20 = $17.28
- Total: $86.40 + $17.28 = $103.68
- Each person: $103.68 / 4 = $25.92
What Tip Rate Is Normal?
In the United States, 15% to 20% is typical for sit-down restaurant service when the service is good. Some people tip on the pre-tax subtotal and others on the total. Either is acceptable, and the difference is usually small.
Check the bill before you add a tip. Many restaurants add a gratuity automatically for large groups, and tipping again would double it.
Splitting Unevenly
If one person only had a salad and a glass of water, splitting evenly is not always fair. One simple approach is to work out each person's own items, add their share of tax and tip, and pay that amount. Many groups find it easier to pay for their own items and split only the shared dishes.
Try It Yourself
Use the Tip Calculator to enter your bill, choose a tip rate, and see the split for any number of people.