Tip Calculator
Add a tip at any percentage and divide the bill between however many people are at the table, without doing awkward mental arithmetic in front of everyone.
Formula
Tip = bill × percentage ÷ 100 · Per person = (bill + tip) ÷ people
- A service charge already on the bill is a tip already paid
- UK restaurants commonly add 12.5% as optional service
£60 bill at 12.5%: £7.50 tip, £67.50 total, £16.88 each between four
The Calculation
Tip = Bill × (percentage ÷ 100)
Per person = (Bill + Tip) ÷ Number of people
A £68 bill with a 15% tip adds £10.20, giving £78.20 — £19.55 each between four.
A quick mental method for 15%: take 10% by moving the decimal point one place, halve it for 5%, and add the two together.
What to Tip Where
- UK: 10–15% in restaurants, and often nothing at a bar. Check whether service is already added.
- United States: 18–20% is expected, because tipped staff are paid a lower base wage.
- Much of Europe: service is typically included; rounding up is enough.
- Japan: tipping is not customary and can cause confusion.
Service Charge and Where It Goes
Many UK restaurants add a discretionary service charge, usually 12.5%. It is optional and can be removed on request, but if you leave it there is no need to tip again on top.
Since the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act came into force, UK employers must pass on tips to staff in full and have a written policy on how they are shared. If you want the money to reach the server directly, cash still does that most reliably.
Quick Reference
| Bill | 10% | 12.5% | 15% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20 | £2.00 | £2.50 | £3.00 | £4.00 |
| £40 | £4.00 | £5.00 | £6.00 | £8.00 |
| £60 | £6.00 | £7.50 | £9.00 | £12.00 |
| £100 | £10.00 | £12.50 | £15.00 | £20.00 |
| £150 | £15.00 | £18.75 | £22.50 | £30.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much should I tip in the UK?
- Around 10 to 15 per cent in restaurants, and typically nothing for drinks at a bar. Always check whether a service charge has already been added.
- Do I have to pay the service charge?
- No. A discretionary service charge is optional in the UK and staff will remove it if you ask.
- Should I tip on the total including VAT?
- Most people tip on the total as presented. Tipping on the pre-VAT figure is defensible but unusual, and the difference is small.
- Is it better to tip in cash?
- Cash reaches staff most directly. UK law now requires employers to pass on tips in full, but cash removes any doubt about timing or distribution.