Tip Calculator
Work out how much to tip, the total bill, and how much each person owes when splitting between a group.
How to Use the Tip Calculator
Our Tip Calculator works out how much to tip on a restaurant, taxi or salon bill, the total amount to pay, and how much each person owes when a group is splitting the bill. Just enter the bill amount and a tip percentage, or pick one of the quick presets, and the results update instantly.
How Much Should You Tip in the UK?
Tipping in the UK is discretionary rather than expected as standard, but it’s common to leave something for good service. A tip of around 10–15% of the bill is typical in restaurants and cafés. Many restaurants already add a discretionary service charge, usually around 12.5%, directly to the bill — check your receipt before adding a further tip on top, since paying both can mean tipping twice for the same service.
| Service | Typical Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10–15% | Check for an existing service charge first |
| Cafés / coffee shops | Round up, or £0.50–£1 | Often via a tip jar or card reader prompt |
| Taxis / rideshare | Round up, or 10% | Not obligatory but commonly rounded up |
| Hairdressers / salons | 10% | Discretionary, based on service quality |
| Hotel porters | £1–£2 per bag | Discretionary, for carrying luggage; cash is often preferred |
| Hotel housekeeping | £1–£2 per night | Discretionary, usually left in the room; cash is often preferred |
How to Use the Tip Calculator
- Enter the bill amount, and a tip percentage, or pick one of the quick preset percentages.
- Enter the number of people if you’re splitting the bill with others.
- Tick “Round the total bill up to the nearest £1” if you’d like a round total to pay, and the calculator will show you the adjusted effective tip percentage.
- Results update automatically, showing the tip amount, the total bill, and each person’s share.
How to Calculate a Tip
To calculate a tip manually, multiply the bill amount by the tip percentage divided by 100. For example, a 12.5% tip on a £40 bill is £40 × 0.125, which equals £5, making a total bill of £45. To split that total between a group, divide the total by the number of people. Four people splitting a £45 bill would each pay £11.25.
Should You Tip on the Amount Before or After VAT?
In the UK, restaurant menu prices are shown inclusive of VAT, so the bill total you see already includes it. Tips are conventionally calculated on the full bill amount shown, not on some VAT-excluded figure, since UK bills don’t separate out VAT the way some other countries’ receipts do. Simply use the total shown on your bill as the amount to base your tip on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip in the UK?
A tip of around 10–15% of the bill is typical in UK restaurants for good service. It’s discretionary rather than compulsory, and lower or no tip is generally acceptable if the service was poor.
Do I need to tip if a service charge is already added?
Not usually. Many restaurants add a discretionary service charge, often around 12.5%, directly to the bill. If this has already been added, an additional tip isn’t expected, though you can still add one for exceptional service.
How do you calculate a tip for a group?
Work out the tip amount by multiplying the bill by the tip percentage, add it to the bill to get the total, then divide the total by the number of people to find each person’s share.
Should I tip on the amount before or after VAT?
UK menu prices already include VAT, so the bill total shown is the amount to base your tip on. There’s no need to work out a separate pre-VAT figure.
What does “round up” do in this calculator?
Ticking the round-up option rounds the total bill up to the nearest whole pound, which slightly increases the tip amount. The calculator shows you the resulting effective tip percentage so you can see exactly how much extra this adds.
Is tipping compulsory in the UK?
No. Tipping in the UK is discretionary and is not legally required, unlike in some countries where tips form a core part of workers’ income. It remains a way to reward good service.