Overview
Trying to split a dinner bill when tip and tax are separate usually breaks down at the “who pays the cents?” step.
This page calculates an equal split: it adds tip and tax to the base bill, then divides by the number of people (with an optional rounding step for cash-style payments).
Last Verified: December 2025
- Best for: equal splits (everyone pays the same share).
- Works with: any currency symbol shown on this page (USD/EUR/GBP/INR/JPY).
- Shows: total with tip & tax, per-person amount, plus tip and tax amounts.
Formula & Methodology
The math is simple, but the assumptions are what trip people up. This calculator treats both tip and tax as percentages of the base bill (the amount you enter).
Core calculation
Total = Bill + (Bill × Tip% / 100) + (Bill × Tax% / 100) Per Person (unrounded) = Total / People
What “Round per person” means in practice
Rounding is a convenience feature for real payments. It can introduce a small difference (often just a few cents) depending on group size and currency decimals.
- Unrounded split: everyone pays the exact decimal share.
- Rounded split: each share is adjusted to a “clean” whole-unit amount; the small remainder is reflected in the breakdown.
Quick reference table (tip + tax multipliers)
If you want a fast sanity check, multiply the bill by the “Total multiplier” below (then divide by people).
| Tip | Tax | Total multiplier | Example on 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 0% | × 1.00 | 100.00 |
| 10% | 0% | × 1.10 | 110.00 |
| 15% | 0% | × 1.15 | 115.00 |
| 15% | 10% | × 1.25 | 125.00 |
| 20% | 8% | × 1.28 | 128.00 |
Example Calculation
Scenario: Bill = 120, People = 4, Tip = 15%, Tax = 10%.
Tip = 120 × 0.15 = 18 Tax = 120 × 0.10 = 12 Total = 120 + 18 + 12 = 150 Per person (unrounded) = 150 / 4 = 37.50
- Total with Tip & Tax: 150
- Per person: 37.50
- Tip amount: 18
- Tax amount: 12
If you enable rounding, expect small differences when the per-person value has cents (for example 37.50, 33.33, 12.75). The breakdown helps you see that adjustment.
Use Cases
- 🍽️ Restaurant checks: agree on tip and tax once, then split evenly.
- 🎟️ Group tickets: divide a single purchase (cinema, museum, event) when everyone owes the same share.
- 🚕 Shared transport: split taxis, rideshares, or parking where cost is shared equally.
- 🏨 Travel groups: quickly check per-person totals for accommodation add-ons (cleaning fees, city tax) when shared evenly.
Common math/logic mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mixing “15” with “0.15”: enter 15 for 15%. If you enter 0.15, you’ll undercount tip by 100×.
- Tip base mismatch: some venues suggest tip on post-tax totals. This calculator uses the base bill. If you want tip-on-total, you’ll need to adjust the base bill accordingly (or approximate by slightly increasing the tip %).
- VAT already included: if your receipt price already includes VAT/service, setting Tax again double-counts it—use Tax = 0% in that case.
- Unequal meals: if one person ordered much more, an equal split may feel unfair. This page is for equal splits only.
- People count edge cases: “1 person” should return the full total; “0 people” is undefined (a division-by-zero situation).
FAQ
Do tip and tax apply to the same base amount here?
Yes. This calculator computes tip and tax from the base bill amount, then adds both to get the total.
Should I enter 15% as 15 or 0.15?
Enter percentages as whole numbers (15 for 15%).
What if VAT/service is already included on the receipt?
If tax/service is already included in the displayed total, set Tax to 0% (and enter only any extra tip you add).
Does “Round per person” change the total?
Rounding can create a small difference (a few cents) depending on group size. Use the breakdown to see the rounding effect.
Does this page support uneven splits or different contributions?
No. It’s designed for an equal split. For uneven contributions, you’ll need a dedicated expense-splitting method.
Why doesn’t my result match the restaurant’s suggested tip?
Some places compute tip on the post-tax total. This calculator applies tip to the base bill amount (pre-tax), which can differ slightly.
How should I handle discounts or coupons?
Apply discounts first and enter the final payable subtotal as the base bill, then add tip and tax as needed.
What’s a reasonable tip range to test scenarios?
Common test values are 0–20% for tip and 0–25% for tax, depending on country and venue.
Important notes & limits
- Equal split only: everyone pays the same share; this isn’t a debt-settlement or itemized splitter.
- Percent basis: tip and tax are calculated from the base bill amount you enter.
- Rounding effect: rounding can slightly change what the group pays in total (especially with larger groups).
Disclaimer: Educational budgeting help only. Results depend on your receipt rules (VAT included? tip suggested on total?) and aren’t financial or legal advice.