TipSplit

18% tip calculator

Eighteen percent sits between the old 15% floor and the 20% “that was great” number. It is also the auto-gratuity many restaurants add for large parties, and a suggested button on a lot of handheld card readers. If a receipt already printed 18%, this page just does the arithmetic so you can check it.

Checking an auto-gratuity, tapping the middle button on a terminal, or splitting a party check that already includes 18%. 18% spread as a printed “standard” when operators wanted a number above 15% that still looked modest next to 20%. Large-party auto-gratuity clauses in the US often land on 18% or 20%. Always read the check — stacking another 18% on an auto-gratuity is how tables overpay.

$

Pre-tax subtotal if you have it.

$

Leave blank if you are only tipping on the bill.

%

Pre-filled at 18%.

Equal split only.

Tip
$0.00
Total
$0.00
Per person
$0.00

Enter an amount to copy a summary.

Tipping customs and tax rates vary by place and by type of service. TipSplit is a calculator — not financial, tax, or etiquette advice.

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FAQ

How much is an 18% tip?
Multiply the pre-tax subtotal by 0.18. $20 bill → $3.60 tip → $23.60 total; $50 bill → $9.00 tip → $59.00 total; $100 bill → $18.00 tip → $118.00 total. On $86.40 that is $15.55 tip and $101.95 total.
Why do so many terminals suggest 18%?
It is a compromise button: higher than the old 15% default, lower than 20% or 25%, and easy to print on a 3-button pad. The pad is a suggestion, not a requirement. You can usually tap custom and type a different percent or a dollar amount.
Is 18% the same as auto-gratuity?
Often, but not always. Auto-gratuity is a house-added service charge — sometimes 18%, sometimes 20%, sometimes a dollar amount — and it may be taxed differently than a voluntary tip. If the check already includes a service charge, decide whether you want to add more; do not assume the 18% button on the terminal is extra on top unless the receipt is clear.
Should I tip 18% before or after tax?
Same rule as other restaurant percents: customary US practice is pre-tax. An 18% auto-gratuity printed by the point-of-sale is usually applied to the food-and-drink subtotal. If you only have a tax-inclusive total, use the toggle so you are not guessing.
Is 18% enough for full-service dinner?
In many US cities 18% is acceptable and 20% is the warmer default. For a tasting menu, a large party with extra running, or a city where terminals start at 20/25/30, 18% can feel dated. Customs vary; this calculator will not tell your server how they feel about it.
How do I reverse-check an 18% line on a receipt?
Take the service-charge line and divide by the pre-tax subtotal, then multiply by 100. Close to 18.00 means they applied 18% cleanly. A few cents of drift is rounding. A big gap usually means the charge was applied to a different base (after tax, after drinks, or after a discount).