How this bill splitter works
Splitting a bill is simple arithmetic, but tip and tax make it fiddly to do in your head. This tool handles both. In even mode it adds the tip and any tax to the bill to get a grand total, then divides that total equally between everyone at the table.
In by-person mode each person enters their own subtotal — the cost of what they actually ordered. The shared tip and tax are then spread across everyone in proportion to their subtotal, so someone who ordered more pays a larger slice of the tip and tax. Each person's final share is their subtotal plus their proportional tip plus their proportional tax.
The table below shows the per-person amount for a few common bill sizes at a 20% tip, split between 2, 3, 4 and 5 people.
| Bill (+20% tip) | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50 → $60.00 | $30.00 | $20.00 | $15.00 | $12.00 |
| $80 → $96.00 | $48.00 | $32.00 | $24.00 | $19.20 |
| $100 → $120.00 | $60.00 | $40.00 | $30.00 | $24.00 |
| $150 → $180.00 | $90.00 | $60.00 | $45.00 | $36.00 |
Reference note: amounts are rounded to the nearest cent. When a total does not divide evenly, the calculator adds the leftover cents to the first people in the list so the shares always sum back to the grand total.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I split a bill evenly?
- Add the tip and any tax to the bill to get the grand total, then divide by the number of people. A $120 total split between 3 people is $40 each. If a cent is left over, one person rounds up a penny so the parts add back to the total.
- How do I split a bill with tip?
- Work out the tip on the pre-tip bill (20% of $100 is $20), add it to the bill and any tax for the grand total, then divide by the number of people. A $100 bill with 20% tip split four ways is $30 each.
- How do I split a bill when people ordered different amounts?
- Use split-by-person mode. Enter each person's own subtotal and the calculator spreads the shared tip and tax in proportion, so everyone pays for what they ordered plus a fair share of tip and tax.
- Should tip be split evenly or by share?
- Either works. Even is simplest when everyone ate a similar amount; by share — proportional to each subtotal — is fairer when orders differ a lot, so a small order does not subsidise a large one's tip.
- How do I split rent or shared expenses?
- For an even split, divide the total by the number of housemates. For an uneven split, use by-person mode and enter each person's agreed amount as their subtotal; the tool checks the parts add up.
- How do I handle tax when splitting?
- Tax is a percentage of the pre-tip bill. In an even split it is folded into the grand total and divided equally; in a by-person split it is spread proportionally to each subtotal, just like the tip.