Tipping norms vary a lot by country and by type of service, so there's no single "correct" percentage — but in the US, the most common benchmarks for sit-down restaurants are 15% for adequate service, 18–20% for good service, and 20%+ for exceptional service. Counter service, delivery, and bars typically run lower (0–15%), while some full-service contexts (large groups, holidays) may expect more.
Outside the US, tipping is often smaller or built into the bill already — many European countries include a service charge, and in parts of Asia, tipping can even be considered unusual or mildly awkward. If you're traveling, it's worth a quick check on local norms before assuming US-style tipping applies.
Most etiquette guides suggest tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, though many people simply tip on the total for convenience — the difference is usually small. This calculator uses whatever bill amount you enter, so enter the pre-tax subtotal if you want to be precise.
This calculator splits both the tip and total evenly across the group, which works well when everyone ordered roughly similar amounts. For itemized splitting, calculate each person's subtotal separately, then apply the same tip percentage to each individually.
Yes — tipping is meant to reflect service quality, and reducing a tip for genuinely poor service (not just food you didn't like) is broadly considered acceptable. Many people still leave a small tip (10% or so) rather than nothing, since a very low or zero tip is typically reserved for serious issues.
Delivery drivers are commonly tipped 10–20% or a flat $3–5 for smaller orders, since delivery pay often depends heavily on tips. Straightforward takeout/counter pickup is more optional and often lower, if tipped at all.