How to calculate a tip
Tip = Bill × Tip % ÷ 100
Multiply the bill (before tax, traditionally) by the percentage as a decimal: 0.15 for 15%, 0.18 for 18%, 0.20 for 20%. Then add the tip to the bill for your total. Example: an 18% tip on $64 is 64 × 0.18 = $11.52, total $75.52.
Calculate a tip in your head
- 10%: move the decimal point one place left. $47.80 → $4.78.
- 20%: double the 10%. $4.78 × 2 = $9.56.
- 15%: 10% plus half of it. $4.78 + $2.39 = $7.17.
- 18%: 20% minus a tenth of the 20%. $9.56 − $0.96 = $8.60.
- 25%: divide the bill by 4. $47.80 ÷ 4 = $11.95.
Round the bill to a whole dollar first; it changes the tip by pennies. Step through it with any bill:
- 1
Round the bill to something friendly: $48.00. Precision to the cent doesn't matter for a tip.
On a phone calculator
- Type the bill amount, e.g. 86.40.
- Press × and type the percentage as a decimal: 0.2 for 20%.
- Press = to see the tip (17.28).
- For the total in one step, multiply by 1.2 instead (103.68).
Tipping on the pre-tax amount
Etiquette guides suggest tipping on the subtotal before tax. Subtract the tax line from the total first: on an $86.40 bill with $7.10 tax, tip on $79.30. 20% of that is $15.86, versus $17.28 on the full total. The etiquette guide shows how small that gap usually is.
Tip amounts at a glance
Common bills and percentages. Need more rows? Print the full tip chart.
| Bill | 10% | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $25 | $2.50 | $3.75 | $4.50 | $5.00 | $6.25 |
| $30 | $3.00 | $4.50 | $5.40 | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| $40 | $4.00 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| $50 | $5.00 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| $60 | $6.00 | $9.00 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $15.00 |
| $75 | $7.50 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 | $18.75 |
| $80 | $8.00 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| $100 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $120 | $12.00 | $18.00 | $21.60 | $24.00 | $30.00 |
| $150 | $15.00 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $20.00 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
What percent did I tip?
Work backwards: divide the tip by the bill and multiply by 100. Handy when a card screen shows only dollar amounts, or to check whether a large-party auto-gratuity is the 18% it claims to be.
Not sure which percentage applies? See how much to tip, by service, or split it with friends using the split bill calculator.
Questions people ask
What is the formula for calculating a tip?
Tip = bill × (tip percentage ÷ 100). For 18% on $64: 64 × 0.18 = $11.52. Total = bill + tip.
How do I calculate a 20% tip?
Move the decimal one place left to get 10%, then double it. On $56.40: 10% is $5.64, so 20% is $11.28.
How do I calculate a 15% tip in my head?
Find 10%, then add half of it. On $42: 10% is $4.20, half is $2.10, so 15% is $6.30.
How do I calculate a tip on my phone's calculator?
Type the bill, press ×, type 0.2 (for 20%) or 0.18 (for 18%), press =. To get the total in one step, multiply by 1.2 or 1.18 instead.
How much is a 20% tip on $100?
$20, for a total of $120. 15% is $15 and 18% is $18.
How do I work out what percentage I tipped?
Divide the tip by the bill and multiply by 100. A $9 tip on a $60 bill is 9 ÷ 60 × 100 = 15%.