Universal Tip Calculator
Free tip calculator for US dining, delivery & rideshare. Split bills, apply your state's base sales-tax rate, and compute pre-tax or post-tax gratuity in seconds—no sign-up.
Statutory Gratuity Rule: Under FLSA 29 U.S.C. § 203(m) and 29 CFR Part 531, tips are the absolute property of employees; employers and managers are strictly barred from retaining any portion of tip pools. Standard U.S. dining gratuity benchmarks range from 15% (standard service) to 18%–20% (good service) and 22%+ (exceptional service), calculated directly on the pre-tax subtotal.
Universal Tip Calculator
Free tip calculator for US dining, delivery & rideshare. Split bills, apply your state's base sales-tax rate, and compute pre-tax or post-tax gratuity in seconds—no sign-up.
Results
Bill Breakdown
Tip is calculated on the pre-tax amount. Adjust state for accurate tax rates.
About This Calculator
What it does
The Universal Tip Calculator is TipFig's core tool: bill amount, custom or preset percentages (10–25%), optional 50-state base sales tax, and bill splitting in one place. Recommended practice is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal—the tax goes to the government, not your server. Example: a $64.00 pre-tax dinner in Austin (8.25% tax) at 20% pre-tax leaves a $12.80 tip; post-tax it's $13.86. TipFig shows both so you can choose, but defaults to pre-tax.
Data sources
- National Restaurant Association
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Internal Revenue Service
- State Revenue Departments
Last updated: 2026 · Fact-checked against primary industry sources
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a tip on a restaurant bill?
Multiply the pre-tax subtotal by the tip percentage as a decimal. On a $50.00 pre-tax bill, 18% = $9.00; with tax the total is higher but your tip stays based on the subtotal.
Should I tip before or after tax?
Etiquette experts and most servers recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, because sales tax is paid to the government, not the service worker. Post-tax tipping is also common and differs by only $1–3 on a typical bill.
What is a good tip percentage in 2026?
15% for acceptable service, 18–20% for good service, 20–25% for fine dining or exceptional service.
Explore the Tipping Hub
All 19 calculators, scenario guides, and state tax breakdowns in one place.
Related Calculators
Bill Split Calculator
Split group bills fairly with equal, itemized, or round-up options. Includes tip and state tax so everyone pays exactly their share. Free and instant.
Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax Tip Calculator
Compare pre-tax vs post-tax tipping side by side. See the exact dollar gap and why most etiquette experts recommend tipping on the subtotal.
Reverse Tip Percentage Calculator
Enter bill + total paid to reveal the exact tip percentage. Verify receipts, spot hidden service charges, and audit gratuity in seconds.