Tip Calculator
Work out the tip, the grand total and each person's share of the bill - before the waiter starts hovering. Updates live as you type.
Tipping in the UK, briefly
There's no fixed rule, but 10-12.5% is the customary range for table service in UK restaurants, drifting towards 15% in London. Many places now add a "discretionary service charge" - typically 12.5% - straight onto the bill. Discretionary means exactly that: you can ask for it to be removed if service was poor, and you shouldn't tip twice unless you particularly want to.
Since the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act came into force in October 2024, businesses must pass 100% of tips and service charges to staff, whether you pay by card or cash - so the old "tip in cash so the staff actually get it" advice matters less than it used to.
Splitting the bill without the awkwardness
An even split is fine when everyone ate roughly the same. When one person had three cocktails and the steak, the fair move is itemised splitting - most banking apps can do it - or simply letting the big spender volunteer a bigger share. For an even split, this calculator gives each person's figure including the tip, so nobody has to do division out loud. And if you're wondering what percentage that service charge worked out to on your bill, the percentage calculator settles it in one line.
Four of you, an £86.40 bill, 12.5% tip: the tip is £10.80, total £97.20, so £24.30 each. Round up to £25 per head and you've covered it with a small buffer for the person who inevitably transfers £24 flat.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip in the UK?
For table service in a restaurant, 10-12.5% is standard, and up to 15% for exceptional service or in London. Tipping is not expected at counters, in pubs for drinks, or where a service charge is already on the bill.
Do I tip on top of a service charge?
No. If a service charge (usually 12.5%) is already added, that is the tip. You can add more for outstanding service, and you can also ask for the charge to be removed if service was genuinely poor - it's discretionary.
How do I split a bill with tip between friends?
Add the tip percentage to the bill, then divide by the number of people. This calculator does it in one step: enter the bill, pick the tip, set how many people, and it shows the per-person amount.
Is it better to tip in cash?
It makes little difference in the UK now. Since October 2024, the law requires employers to pass on 100% of tips to workers regardless of how they're paid.