Free bill split calculator
with tax & tip
Split a restaurant check or group expense fairly — evenly among everyone, or by exactly what each person ordered, with tax and tip calculated the way restaurants actually do it.
This estimate is for splitting purposes only. Always double-check against your actual receipt before paying.
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How to use this bill split calculator
This free bill split calculator handles the two situations that come up in real life: everyone splitting evenly, or people paying for exactly what they ordered. Here's how to use it either way.
Pro tip: Standard US restaurant etiquette is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total after tax — this calculator does that automatically unless you switch the "Tip calculated on" setting.
What does this calculator do differently?
Most free bill splitters only do one thing: divide a total evenly. This one also handles uneven splits — when one person had steak and wine while another had a salad and water — by letting you enter each person's own subtotal and proportionally allocating tax and tip based on what they actually spent. It also clarifies a detail almost every calculator glosses over: whether tip should be calculated on the subtotal or the tax-inclusive total, which changes the final number.
Whether you're looking for a restaurant bill splitter, a tip and tax calculator, a group expense splitter, or a way to figure out how to split a bill when someone didn't drink — this tool covers it in one place.
Which split method should you use?
Not every group dinner should be split the same way. Here are the four most common methods and when each one makes sense.
| Method | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Even split | Everyone ordered similarly | Total bill divided equally among all people |
| Custom / itemized split | Big differences in what people ordered | Each person pays for their own items, plus a proportional share of tax and tip |
| Host pays, others reimburse | Business dinners or one person's treat | One person covers the check, then collects each share afterward |
| Rotating payer | Regular friend groups or recurring meals | Different person pays the full bill each time; it balances out over time |
Agree on the split method before you order, not after the check arrives — it avoids the single most common source of group-dinner tension.
Tip on the subtotal, not the total
This trips up more people than any other part of splitting a bill. Sales tax is a government charge, not a service you're tipping for — so the standard practice is to calculate your tip on the pre-tax subtotal.
| Scenario | Tip on subtotal (standard) | Tip on total (uncommon) |
|---|---|---|
| $100 subtotal, 8% tax, 20% tip | $20.00 tip | $21.60 tip |
| Final total | $128.00 | $129.60 |
The difference looks small on one bill, but it adds up over a year of dining out — and it's the correct, standard way to calculate it.
Common bill-splitting mistakes
Standard tipping guide by country
| Country | Typical restaurant tip |
|---|---|
| United States | 18% – 20% |
| Canada | 15% – 18% |
| United Kingdom | 10% – 12.5% (often included as a service charge) |
| Australia | Not expected; 10% for exceptional service |
| Europe (most of Western Europe) | 5% – 10%, often rounding up the bill |
| Japan | Not customary — tipping can even be seen as awkward |
This calculator uses US tipping norms by default (18% pre-selected), since it's built for a USA audience — adjust the percentage for other countries' customs.
Glossary
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Subtotal | The bill total before tax and tip are added |
| Gratuity / service charge | An automatic tip some restaurants add for large groups |
| Itemized split | Splitting a bill based on what each person actually ordered |
| Even split | Dividing the total bill equally regardless of what each person ordered |
| Round-up | Rounding each person's share up to the nearest dollar for simpler payments |
Getting paid back: Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App tips
Calculating the split is only half the job — actually getting paid is the other half. A few small habits make a real difference in how fast people actually settle up.
If a request goes unanswered, a light reminder a day or two later is normal and expected — most people simply forget, they aren't avoiding you.
Splitting bills beyond restaurants
The same math applies well beyond dinner out — rent, utilities, group trips, and shared households all come down to the same even-vs-proportional choice.
| Situation | Common approach |
|---|---|
| Rent with different room sizes | Split proportionally by room size or private space, rather than evenly |
| Shared utilities | Usually split evenly, unless one person's usage is clearly much higher |
| Group trip or Airbnb | One person often books and collects; use the custom-amount mode to divide the total |
| Groceries in a shared house | Often rotated month to month, or tracked and settled up on a schedule |
| Large dining groups (6+ people) | An even split is usually simplest; for very different orders, designate one payer and settle up digitally afterward |