Guides / Everyday maths

How to Split a Bill Fairly, Including the Tip

A shared bill is easy to split evenly, but the tip, sales tax and uneven orders make it messy. A simple sequence keeps everyone paying a fair share.

Step 1: add the tip to the bill

Work out the tip on the bill before tax, if the menu prices include tax you should use the total. For a bill of 60 with an 18% tip, the tip is 10.80 and the total is 70.80.

Step 2: divide by the number of people

Divide the total by the number of people sharing it. Three people paying 70.80 each pay 23.60.

When the orders are uneven

If one person had a much more expensive meal, split the items each person ordered, then share the tip and any tax in proportion. Calculating each share from its own items avoids arguments about who had the wine.

Rounding

Amounts rarely divide exactly. Round up for one person, or agree in advance who covers the cent difference, so no one ends up short.

Try it yourself

The Tip Calculator works out the tip, the total and each person's share as you change the bill, the tip percentage and the number of people.