How splitting a bill works
To split a check evenly, first add any tip to the total, then divide by the number of people. The formula is each pays = (total × (1 + tip% ÷ 100)) ÷ people. A $120 bill with no tip divided among four people is 120 ÷ 4 = $30.00 each. Add a 20% tip and the total becomes $144, or $36 each.
How to use this calculator
Enter the total bill, the tip percentage the group agreed on (set 0 to skip tip), and the number of people. The result is what each person owes, with the tipped total shown below. To work out just the tip first, use the tip calculator.
Worked example
Five colleagues share a $200 lunch and want to leave 18%: the total becomes 200 × 1.18 = $236, divided by five = $47.20 each. Even splits keep things simple; if some people ordered more, total each person's items separately and add a share of the tax and tip. You can check the tax portion with the sales tax calculator.
Two pitfalls to watch. First, split the after-tax total, not the pre-tax subtotal — otherwise the tax goes unpaid and one person quietly absorbs it. Second, if drinks were shared but one person didn't drink, pull those items out before the even split rather than arguing over cents afterwards. Uneven shares are really just percentages, so the percentage calculator can settle those.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I split a bill evenly?
- Add the tip to the total, then divide by the number of people. A $120 bill split four ways with no tip is $30.00 each.
- Does this include the tip in each share?
- Yes. The calculator adds your tip percentage to the bill before dividing, so each person's share already covers the tip.
- What if people ordered different amounts?
- For an uneven split, total each person's own items, then add an equal share of tax and tip. This tool handles even splits.
- Can I split between two people?
- Yes, enter any number of people from 1 up. For two diners, each pays half of the tipped total.
- Is splitting the bill evenly normal outside the US?
- It varies by country. An even split is standard in much of northern Europe and Australia, while in France or Italy paying separately (or one person covering the whole check) is more common. The maths is the same in any currency.