Quick and explicit
How to use this tip calculator
- 1Enter the pre-tax subtotal and a tip percentage.
Tap a common preset or type a custom rate, including 0%.
- 2Add the number of people.
The bill subtotal, calculated tip, and final total are divided evenly.
- 3Open optional bill details when needed.
Enter tax as dollars or a rate, choose the tip basis, record any service charge, and select a rounding rule.
What your results mean
The tip amount is the additional voluntary gratuity calculated by Koody. The final total includes the subtotal, sales tax, this tip, and any already-added gratuity or service charge. The exact breakdown states the base so you can check the bill before paying.
Per-person values assume an even split. If people ordered different amounts, use the result as a group check and allocate individual items separately.
Inspectable math
Tip formulas and rounding
tip = selected tip base × tip percentagetotal = subtotal + tax + tip + existing gratuity/service chargeper-person amount = relevant total ÷ number of people
Before-tax mode uses only the subtotal as the tip base. After-tax mode uses subtotal plus sales tax. An existing gratuity is itemized in the total but is never included in the base for the additional tip.
Worked examples
A $100 subtotal with a 20% tip and four people produces a $20 tip, a $120 total, and $30 per person. Add $8 sales tax and tip before tax, and the tip remains $20 while the total becomes $128. Tip after tax instead, and the tip is $21.60 on a $108 base, making the total $129.60.
“Round tip” rounds the calculated tip to the nearest, next, or previous whole dollar. “Round total” changes only the voluntary tip so the final total reaches the chosen whole-dollar direction; it will never reduce the tip below $0.
US guide
A concise US tipping guide
These are current etiquette ranges and common practices, not laws. Customs vary by location, service model, difficulty, and circumstance; a payment prompt does not by itself create an obligation.
Restaurant table service
15%–20% of the pre-tax bill is a common range. Review the receipt for an automatic charge first.
Takeout and delivery
Takeout tips are generally optional; larger or complicated orders may warrant one. Food delivery guides commonly suggest about 10%–20%, adjusted for distance, weather, and effort.
Bars
A common guide is $1–$2 per drink or about 15%–20% of the tab, depending on service and drink complexity.
Taxi and rideshare
Current consumer guides commonly use about 10%–20%, with the decision adjusted for service and local custom.
Hair, barber, nails, and salons
About 15%–20% is a common guide for personal services. Ask how tips are shared when several people help.
Hotels
Current guides commonly suggest $2–$5 per night for housekeeping and $2–$5 for valet service when the car is returned; other hotel roles vary.
Automatic gratuity
Read the itemization before adding more. For federal tax purposes, the IRS distinguishes a mandatory service charge from a voluntary tip chosen by the customer.
Assumptions and limitations
- The split is even and does not assign separate food, drink, tax, fee, or tip amounts to individual diners.
- Sales tax entered as a rate is calculated only on the subtotal; local taxable bases can differ.
- Existing gratuity is treated as a dollar charge and is not assumed to have been distributed to a worker.
- Etiquette ranges are descriptive and can change. Service quality, ability to pay, venue policy, and local practice remain relevant considerations.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Should I calculate a restaurant tip before or after tax?
Traditional etiquette generally recommends calculating a tip from the pre-tax subtotal. Some people tip on the after-tax total for convenience. The calculator supports both and makes the selected base visible.
What if gratuity is already included?
Enter the existing amount so it appears in the final total. Koody will warn that the selected tip is additional and will not calculate a new tip on top of that service charge.
Can I enter a custom tip or no tip?
Yes. Type any percentage from 0% through 100%. The five presets are shortcuts, not required choices.
How does rounding affect each person’s share?
Rounding changes the group tip or group total first, then divides the resulting total evenly. Per-person values may still include cents.
Is a service charge legally the same as a tip?
Not for every purpose. The IRS distinguishes mandatory service charges from voluntary payments where the customer chooses the amount. Venue wording and local rules can also matter.
Sources for the guide
- Internal Revenue Service: Tip recordkeeping and reporting (accessed July 26, 2026)
- Emily Post Institute: Finer points of tipping (accessed July 26, 2026)
- Kiplinger: How Much Should You Tip in 2026? (accessed July 26, 2026)
Last reviewed July 26, 2026.