Splitting a restaurant bill sounds simple until someone orders three cocktails and someone else had water all night. Knowing the formula for each scenario saves you from that awkward moment when the check arrives. Here is how to handle every common situation, plus a shortcut for when you just want the number fast.
Our free tip calculator handles bill splitting instantly. Enter the bill amount, choose a tip percentage, and set the number of people. Done.
Open Tip Calculator →The Even Split: Formula and Example
An even split is the simplest approach: everyone pays the same share regardless of what they ordered. The formula is:
Per person = (Bill + Tip) / Number of people
Tip = Bill x Tip%
Bill total: $180. Tip: 15%. People: 4.
Tip = $180 x 0.15 = $27
Total = $180 + $27 = $207
Per person = $207 / 4 = $51.75 each
Mental maths shortcut: find 10% of the bill by moving the decimal one place left ($180 becomes $18). Add half of that for a 15% tip ($18 + $9 = $27). Double the 10% for a 20% tip ($18 x 2 = $36).
The Unequal Split: Each Person Pays for What They Ordered
When spending varies significantly around the table, an unequal split is fairer. Each person tallies their food and drinks, then adds their proportional share of the tip.
Your tip share = Your subtotal / Total bill x Total tip
Your total = Your subtotal + Your tip share
This is easier with a spreadsheet or the notes app on your phone. For groups larger than four, the unequal split gets complex quickly. The tip calculator handles standard even splits automatically with the per-person field.
Should the Tip Be Split Equally?
In most cases, yes. The server's effort is roughly the same regardless of whether you ordered the pasta or the steak. Splitting tip proportionally to what each person ordered creates extra maths without much fairness benefit for the server.
The situation where this breaks down: one person orders a $90 bottle of wine and everyone else had tap water. In that case, it is reasonable for the big spender to cover more of the tip, or for the group to agree upfront to split tip separately from food.
Common Bill-Splitting Scenarios
Even split is standard and avoids awkwardness. If expenses are being reimbursed, get one receipt and split by rough equal shares. Nobody wants to itemise a $15 sandwich against a corporate card.
Convention in most countries: the birthday person does not pay. The bill is split among everyone else. Agree on this before you sit down to avoid confusion when the cheque arrives.
No universal rule. Whoever suggested the venue might offer to pay. Offering to split is always a polite option. Reading the situation matters more than any formula.
Even split plus a pre-agreed standard tip is the most practical approach. Designate one person to handle the mental maths or use the tip calculator on their phone.
Apps, Mental Maths, or a Free Calculator?
Dedicated bill-splitting apps like Splitwise are great for recurring group expenses or when people need to pay each other back over time. For a one-off restaurant split, they are overkill.
Mental maths works fine for even splits with round numbers. When the bill is $173.40 and there are seven people with varying tip preferences, a calculator is the right call. Our tip calculator runs in your browser, needs no app install, and shows the tip amount, total bill, and per-person amount all at once.
Quick Reference: Common Tip Percentages
- 10%: Below average service or takeout
- 15%: Standard, acceptable service
- 18-20%: Good to great service, the current norm
- 25%+: Outstanding service or you want to be generous
The tip calculator has quick-select buttons for 10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, and 25%, plus a custom input. Enter any number of people and get the per-person total instantly.
Calculate Tip and Split →