Sales tax and tip calculator
Calculate tip with sales tax, compare pre-tax and post-tax tipping, and split the final bill before you pay. Use a state tax estimate as a starting point or enter the tax rate printed on your receipt.
State tax estimates are only quick starting points. County, city or town, transit authority, and special-purpose tax district rules may change the actual rate. Restaurant location and the type of food or service purchased can matter as well.
Tax-focused calculator
Choose a state estimate as a starting point or type the tax rate from your receipt. Results update as you type.
Tip$10.00
Tax$4.00
Each person pays$32.00
Each person’s tip$5.00
Receipt guidance
Use the sales tax rate shown on your receipt when you have it. A state average is helpful for planning, but the final restaurant tax can change by county, city or town, local tax district, restaurant location, and the type of food or service purchased.
Quick answer
Calculate the sales tax from the subtotal, choose whether the tip is based on the subtotal or the after-tax total, then add subtotal, tax, and tip together. Divide that total by the number of people if you are splitting the check.
Direct answer
Most people calculate a restaurant tip before tax because sales tax is not part of the service price. Tipping after tax is easier and slightly more generous. This calculator lets you compare both methods before you pay.
Formula
Worked examples
These examples use 8% sales tax and a 20% pre-tax tip. Your actual tax rate may be different.
Tax: $4.00
Tip: $10.00
Total: $64.00
Split by 2: $32.00 each
Tax: $6.00
Tip: $15.00
Total: $96.00
Split by 3: $32.00 each
Tax: $8.00
Tip: $20.00
Total: $128.00
Split by 4: $32.00 each
Sales tax can vary by state, county, city or town, local tax district, restaurant location, and the type of food or service purchased. This page gives personal bill estimates only. For the closest result, enter the rate shown on your receipt.
Tip comparison
This table updates from your bill amount so you can compare common tip percentages.
| Tip percent | Tip amount | Total before tax |
|---|
The comparison table uses the bill subtotal. Use the calculator above for tax-included totals.
Most people calculate a restaurant tip before tax because sales tax is not part of the service price. Tipping after tax is simpler and gives a slightly larger tip.
First calculate tax from the bill subtotal. Then calculate the tip from either the pre-tax subtotal or the after-tax total, depending on the tip basis you choose.
No. A state estimate is only a starting point. In the United States, local rates can vary by county, city or town, transit authority, or special-purpose tax district. Restaurant location and the type of food or service purchased can also matter. Use the rate shown on your receipt for the closest estimate.
A 20% pre-tax tip on a $50 bill is $10. If the bill has 8% sales tax, the estimated total is $64 before any rounding.
Yes. Enter the sales tax rate from your receipt for a closer calculation. The state estimate field is only a convenience option.
No. USTipCalc is for personal bill estimates only. It does not provide tax, legal, payroll, or financial advice.
Useful next steps
Use these related calculators when your receipt includes tax, a service charge, or a group split.
