How to Calculate Tip Percentage (From Any Bill and Tip)
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Most tipping advice works in one direction: you pick a percentage and calculate the tip. But sometimes you need to go the other way. Maybe you left $12 in cash and want to know whether that was generous, or a card machine suggested a dollar amount and you are wondering what percentage it represents. Here is how to work it out.
The tip percentage formula
Tip % = (Tip ÷ Bill) × 100That is all there is to it. Divide the tip by the bill, then multiply by 100 to turn the decimal into a percentage.
Example 1: A cash tip
Your bill is $60 and you leave $9.
9 ÷ 60 = 0.15, and 0.15 × 100 = 15%.
Example 2: You only know the total you paid
The bill was $58 and you paid $70 in total. First find the tip: $70 − $58 = $12. Then:
12 ÷ 58 = 0.2069, which is about 20.7%.
Example 3: Checking an automatic gratuity
A restaurant added a $27 "service charge" to a $150 bill for your group. 27 ÷ 150 = 0.18, so the gratuity is 18%. Now you know whether it matches the policy printed on the menu.
Example 4: A card machine prompt
A café terminal suggests a $4.50 tip on a $22.50 order. 4.50 ÷ 22.50 = 0.20, so the suggestion is 20%, which is high for counter service. You can pick a smaller custom amount if you prefer.
Use the calculator instead
Our tip calculator has a Find Tip % tab. Enter the bill and the tip you paid and it shows the percentage straight away, so you can compare it with the usual ranges.
Pre-tax or post-tax bill?
Your answer depends on which bill amount you divide by. If you calculate against the total including tax, the percentage will look slightly lower than if you use the subtotal before tax. For consistency, most people measure the tip against the pre-tax subtotal, which is also the traditional base for tipping. Read more in should you tip before or after tax.
Going the other way: what tip gives a target percentage?
If you know the percentage you want and need the dollar figure, flip the formula:
Tip = Bill × (Tip % ÷ 100)So 18% of $45 is 45 × 0.18 = $8.10. Our guide on how to calculate a tip has mental shortcuts for the common percentages.
Is my tip percentage normal?
| Tip % | How it is usually seen in a US sit-down restaurant |
|---|---|
| Below 10% | Signals a problem with the service |
| 10% – 14% | Low; common for buffets or counter service |
| 15% – 17% | Adequate service |
| 18% – 20% | Good service; today's common default |
| Above 20% | Excellent service or a generous gesture |
These are general US norms. Expectations are very different in many other countries, as our article on tipping around the world explains.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a tip percentage?
Divide the tip by the bill amount and multiply by 100. A $9 tip on a $60 bill is 9 ÷ 60 × 100 = 15%.
How do I find the tip percentage if I only know what I paid in total?
Subtract the bill from the total you paid to get the tip, then divide that tip by the bill and multiply by 100.
Keep reading
How to Calculate a Tip: 5 Easy Methods (With Examples)
Learn how to calculate a tip in your head, on your phone or with a formula. Simple tricks for 10%, 15%, 18%, 20% and 25% tips, with worked examples.
How Much to Tip: A Practical Guide for Every Service
How much should you tip at restaurants, bars, salons, for delivery, rideshares and hotels? A clear US tipping guide with typical percentages and dollar amounts.
Should You Tip Before or After Tax? The Clear Answer
Do you calculate the tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount? What etiquette experts suggest, how much difference it makes, and how to handle discounts and service charges.