Calculating a tip lets you reward good service and split a bill fairly. With a little mental math you can work out a common percentage of the total quickly, no calculator required.
What you'll need
- The bill total
- A calculator or phone (optional)
Step by step
- Note the bill amountStart with the pre-tax total on your bill, for example 40 dollars. Some people tip on the total after tax, which is fine too.
- Find ten percentMove the decimal point one place to the left to get ten percent. Ten percent of 40 dollars is 4 dollars.
- Scale to the percentage you wantDouble the ten percent figure for a 20 percent tip, or add half of it for 15 percent. For 20 percent of 40 dollars, that is 8 dollars.
- Add the tip to the billAdd the tip to the original total. A 40 dollar bill with an 8 dollar tip comes to 48 dollars.
- Split it if neededTo split among people, divide the final total by the number of diners. A 48 dollar total split four ways is 12 dollars each.
Handy tips
- For 15 percent, find 10 percent then add half of that amount.
- Rounding the tip up to a whole number makes the math and the payment simpler.
- In many places a tip of 15 to 20 percent is common for sit-down restaurant service.
FAQ
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
Customs vary by country, but in the United States 15 to 20 percent of the bill is a common range for table service, with more for exceptional service.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Either is acceptable. Many people tip on the pre-tax amount, though tipping on the full total gives a slightly larger tip and is also common.
How do I quickly figure a 20 percent tip?
Find 10 percent by moving the decimal one place left, then double it. For a 55 dollar bill, 10 percent is 5.50, so 20 percent is 11 dollars.