Split Bill Calculator
Enter Bill Details
Enter the bill amount and number of people above, then choose a tip percentage to see each person's share instantly.
How to Use the Split Bill Calculator
Choose Your Split Mode
Select Simple Split for a quick equal division by number of people, By Name to list participants individually with equal or custom amounts, or By Item for precise itemized splitting where each item is assigned to specific people.
Enter the Bill and Adjustments
Type in the bill amount, then set the tip percentage using the quick-select preset buttons (10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 25%) or enter a custom value. Add tax, service fees, or discounts in the optional fields below — all are included in the calculation automatically.
Review the Per-Person Breakdown
Results appear instantly as you type. The main result shows each person's share. The bar chart and donut chart visualize proportional contributions. In By Name mode, a settlement summary shows the minimum transactions needed to settle all balances if amounts differ.
Export or Print Your Results
Click Export CSV to download a spreadsheet of the split for record-keeping, or click Print to get a clean printed copy to leave with the receipt. No signup is required and no data is saved — everything stays in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Tipping etiquette varies, but most US restaurant guides recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal. This calculator tips on the pre-tax bill amount by default, which is the most widely accepted standard. Some people prefer to tip on the total including tax as a slightly more generous gesture. The difference is usually small — on a $100 bill with 8% tax, tipping 20% on pre-tax means $20 versus $21.60 on the post-tax total. Either approach is socially acceptable, so choose whichever feels right for the level of service you received.
What tip percentage should I leave?
In the United States, the standard tip for sit-down restaurant service is 15–20%, with 18% being a common default on many restaurant receipt prompts. Higher-end restaurants and metropolitan cities often see 20–22% as the new standard. For exceptional service, 25% or more is appropriate. For counter service and coffee shops, 10–15% is typical. For food delivery, $3–5 or 15–20% of the order total is customary. Outside the US, tipping customs vary widely — many European countries include a service charge automatically, and tipping in Japan is considered unnecessary or even rude. Always check local customs when traveling.
How does the debt minimization algorithm work?
The debt minimization algorithm in By Name mode calculates the minimum number of transactions needed to settle all balances. It works by computing each person's net balance (what they should pay versus what was recorded). Participants with positive balances are owed money; those with negative balances owe money. The algorithm then greedily pairs the largest debtor with the largest creditor, transferring as much as possible in a single transaction, until all balances reach zero. This often reduces, say, six separate payments to just two or three transfers, making settlement much simpler for the group.
What happens to unassigned items in By Item mode?
In By Item mode, any line item where you have not checked any participant checkboxes is automatically treated as shared equally among all participants. This is a sensible default for shared items like appetizers, bread, or bottles of wine that the whole table enjoyed. If you want to exclude specific people from an item, simply check only the checkboxes of those who consumed it. Tip, tax, service fees, and discounts are always distributed proportionally based on each person's share of the assigned item subtotals.
Can I use this calculator for non-restaurant expenses?
Absolutely. The Split Bill Calculator works for any shared expense: vacation rental costs split among a travel group, utility bills divided among roommates, group gift contributions, road-trip fuel and accommodation costs, shared grocery orders, or team lunches at work. The tip field can be left at zero for non-restaurant scenarios. The fee field is useful for service charges like delivery or booking fees. The discount field handles promo codes or group discounts. For ongoing shared living expenses, By Name mode with custom amounts gives each person a clear record of what they owe and why.
Is there a limit to how many people or items I can add?
There is no hard limit built into the calculator. You can add as many participants and line items as you need. However, for very large groups or very long receipts, the By Item mode with full assignment can become time-consuming to fill in. A practical approach for large groups is to use Simple Split or By Name mode with custom amounts based on rough estimates of individual consumption, rather than itemizing every dish. The calculator is optimized for the most common scenario of 2–12 people sharing a single check, but it will handle larger groups equally well.