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How to split a restaurant bill with tax and tip
The fair way is simple: work out what each person ordered, then share the tax and tip in the same proportions. Here's the method, with an example.
The 4-step method
- Add up each person's items. That's their personal subtotal.
- Split shared items such as appetizers, a bottle of wine or dessert among only the people who had them, and add each share to those people's subtotals.
- Work out the multiplier: (subtotal + tax + tip) ÷ subtotal. Use the totals for the whole table.
- Multiply each person's subtotal by the multiplier. Everyone then pays the same tax and tip rate on what they ordered.
Worked example
Ana's food comes to $24, Ben's to $18 and Cara's to $30. The three of them share a $12 appetizer, so each person adds $4. That makes their subtotals $28, $22 and $34, or $84 in total.
- Tax at 8%: $84 × 0.08 = $6.72
- Tip at 20% of the pre-tax subtotal: $84 × 0.20 = $16.80
- Total bill: $84 + $6.72 + $16.80 = $107.52
- Multiplier: $107.52 ÷ $84 = 1.28
Ana pays $28 × 1.28 = $35.84. Ben pays $22 × 1.28 = $28.16. Cara pays $34 × 1.28 = $43.52. That adds up to $107.52.
An even three-way split would be $35.84 each, so Ben would pay $7.68 more than his share.
Shortcut: add a flat percentage
If the tax rate plus the tip comes to about 28%, every person can just add 28% to their own subtotal. With 8% tax and an 18% tip it's 26%.
When an even split is fine
- Everyone ordered roughly the same amount
- It's a regular group and things even out over time
- Speed matters more than a few dollars, and everyone agrees
When one person paid the whole bill
Work out each person's amount as above, then everyone pays the person who covered it back. If your group has had several meals or a whole trip, enter each bill with who paid it in the trip splitter to get the fewest payments.
Tips for the table
- Ask for separate checks before ordering if the restaurant allows it.
- Photograph the receipt before anyone leaves.
- Round to the nearest dollar in the payer's favor; they did the work.
FAQ
Should you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is the common convention in the US. Tipping on the total after tax is also fine and slightly more generous. Pick one and use it for everyone.
Is it fair to split a restaurant bill equally?
It's fair when everyone ordered roughly the same amount, or when the group agrees that it evens out over time. If one person had a salad and water while others had steak and wine, splitting by what each person ordered is fairer.
How do you split shared appetizers or a bottle of wine?
Divide each shared item among only the people who had it, then add that amount to each of their subtotals before working out tax and tip.
What if the bill already includes a service charge?
Check the receipt. If a service charge or automatic gratuity is already added, you usually don't need to tip again on top, so treat it like the tip and split it in proportion to each person's subtotal.
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