Minimum Wage to Living Wage Calculator

Tipping calculations determine how much to leave as a gratuity on a restaurant bill or service charge. The standard formula multiplies the pre-tax bill amount by the desired tip percentage — though some people tip on the post-tax total, which is a slightly more generous approach.

Tip amount formula: Tip = Bill Amount × Tip Percentage

Total bill with tip: Total = Bill Amount + Tip

Per-person split: Per Person = Total ÷ Number of People

Finding the bill amount from a total: Pre-Tax Bill = Total Charged − Tax Amount

Where:

• Bill Amount — the pre-tax subtotal (most etiquette guides recommend tipping on this, not including tax)
• Tip Percentage — expressed as a decimal (15% = 0.15, 20% = 0.20, 25% = 0.25)

Standard US tipping guidelines by service type:

• Restaurant (sit-down): 15–20% average; 20–25% for excellent service
• Bartender: $1–$2 per drink or 15–20% of tab
• Hotel housekeeping: $2–$5 per night
• Taxi/rideshare: 15–20%
• Food delivery: 15–20% or minimum $3–$5
• Hair salon: 15–20%
• Spa services: 15–20%
• Valet parking: $2–$5 when retrieving car
• Pizza delivery: $3–$5 minimum or 15%

Quick mental math tricks:

• 20% tip: Move decimal left one place (10%), then double → $45 bill: $4.50 → $9.00
• 15% tip: Find 10%, then add half → $45 bill: $4.50 + $2.25 = $6.75
• 25% tip: Find 10%, multiply by 2.5 → $45 bill: $4.50 × 2.5 = $11.25

Worked example: Dinner for 4. Bill: $148.60 before tax. Tax: $14.86 (10% for simplicity). Tip 20% on pre-tax.

• Tip: $148.60 × 0.20 = $29.72
• Total: $148.60 + $14.86 + $29.72 = $193.18
• Per person: $193.18 ÷ 4 = $48.30 each