How to Calculate Tip Per Person
Splitting the tip is often the most confusing part of dividing a restaurant bill. Here's everything you need to know — from mental math tricks to using a calculator.
Quick Mental Math Tip Tricks
💡 20% Tip — The Easiest
Move the decimal one place left (10%), then double it.
Per person (4 people): $17.00 ÷ 4 = $4.25 each
💡 15% Tip — Quick Estimate
Take 10%, then add half of that.
Per person (4 people): $12.75 ÷ 4 = $3.19 each
💡 18% Tip — Standard Restaurants
Take 20%, then subtract about 10% of that.
Per person (4 people): $15.30 ÷ 4 = $3.83 each
💡 Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax Tipping
Standard US etiquette: tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Some tip on the post-tax total — it's a small difference.
With tax: $92.23 → 18% = $16.60
Difference: only $1.30
Tip per Person by Group Size
| Group Size | $100 Bill | $150 Bill | $200 Bill | $300 Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $9.00 | $13.50 | $18.00 | $27.00 |
| 3 people | $6.00 | $9.00 | $12.00 | $18.00 |
| 4 people | $4.50 | $6.75 | $9.00 | $13.50 |
| 6 people | $3.00 | $4.50 | $6.00 | $9.00 |
| 8 people | $2.25 | $3.38 | $4.50 | $6.75 |
Based on 18% tip rate. Assumes even split among all diners.
Tipping Etiquette for Groups
👥 Large Parties (6+ People)
Many restaurants automatically add 18-20% gratuity for parties of 6+. Check your bill first — if gratuity is included, don't double-tip.
💳 Splitting Cards
If the server has to split the check across 3+ cards, consider tipping slightly more (20%+). It's genuinely more work for them.
🎂 Birthday Person
The group typically covers the birthday person's meal and tip. Split their share among the remaining group members.
Calculate Tip Instantly
Use our free tip calculator to get exact per-person amounts.
Try Tip Calculator