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Tip calculator: tip, total and split, plus a tip pool for owners
The short answer
To work out a tip, multiply the bill by the percent. A 20% tip on $60 is $60 × 0.20, or $12.00, for a total of $72.00. Split between two people, that’s $36.00 each. A quick way to get 20%: move the decimal one place left and double it. Restaurant owners can also split a tip pool by hours below.
Enter the bill, the percent and how many people are paying. If you run the place, the second calculator splits the week’s tip pool by hours worked.
Checked November 5, 2026. How we make these tools
Tip
$12.00
- Total with the tip
- $72.00
- Each of 2 people pays
- $36.00
- Tip per person
- $6.00
Each person’s share
- Server 1
- $160.00
- Server 2
- $133.33
- Busser
- $106.67
The share of hours is one common way to split a pool. Check who may take part under federal and state rules.
How it works
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $40 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| $60 | $9.00 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $15.00 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
Splitting a tip pool by hours
Divide each person’s hours by everyone’s hours, then multiply by the pool. With $400 in the pool and three people working 30, 25 and 20 hours, they get $160.00, $133.33 and $106.67. Some places weigh the split by role instead. Either way, write the method down and tell your staff.
For owners: the federal rules
- Under the Department of Labor’s tip rules (opens in a new tab), managers and supervisors can’t keep employees’ tips.
- If you take a tip credit against wages, the pool can only include employees who customarily receive tips. If you pay full minimum wage with no tip credit, it can include cooks and dishwashers as well.
- If you run a mandatory pool, the Department of Labor says you generally must pay out all of it within the pay period.
- Where your state’s rule is stricter, you follow the stricter one. Check yours. This isn’t legal advice.
Pricing the menu that brings those tips? The food cost calculator works out plate cost and menu price.
Common questions
How do I calculate a tip?
How much is a 20% tip on $50?
Do I tip on the bill before or after tax?
What’s a tip pool?
Can a manager share in a tip pool?
More free tools
Food cost calculator
Food cost percentage, and the menu price for your target.
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Overtime calculator
Work out a week’s pay with time and a half, under the rule you choose.
Pricing and profit
Dinner rush? Let someone else get the phone
CoveDesk answers your restaurant’s calls while your staff look after the people in front of them.