How should shared starters be handled?

Add the shared items up, divide by the number of people, and include that amount in each person's own subtotal before using the proportional mode.

Should everyone tip the same percentage?

Proportional splitting means everyone tips the same percentage of what they ordered, which most people consider the fairest outcome.

What about a rounding shortfall?

Round each person up to the nearest unit; the small surplus typically covers coins nobody wants to count.

Split Bill Calculator

Split a shared bill either evenly or in proportion to what each person ordered, with tip and service charge shared fairly across the group.

Fill in the fields above and select Calculate to see your result and the full working.

Please note: Financial calculators produce estimates using the figures you enter. They exclude fees, taxes, insurance and rate changes unless a field asks for them. They are not financial advice — confirm any significant decision with a qualified adviser or your lender.

Formula used

Total = subtotal × (1 + service% + tip%). Even split = total ÷ people. Proportional share = total × (your items ÷ subtotal)

How to use this calculator

Enter the subtotal before service and tip.
Add any service charge already on the bill and any extra tip you all agreed.
Choose an even split, or proportional if orders differed a lot.
For a proportional split, enter what your own items came to before extras.

Example calculation

A $168 subtotal, 10% tip, five people, your items came to $42:

Tip = $16.80, grand total = $184.80

Your proportion = 42 ÷ 168 = 25%

You pay 184.80 × 0.25 = $46.20.

What does this result mean?

Proportional splitting is the fairer method when one person had a three-course meal and another had a salad, because service and tip scale with what each person ordered rather than being shared flat. Even splitting is faster and usually fine when orders were similar. Agreeing the method before ordering avoids awkwardness later.

Frequently asked questions

How should shared starters be handled?: Add the shared items up, divide by the number of people, and include that amount in each person's own subtotal before using the proportional mode.
Should everyone tip the same percentage?: Proportional splitting means everyone tips the same percentage of what they ordered, which most people consider the fairest outcome.
What about a rounding shortfall?: Round each person up to the nearest unit; the small surplus typically covers coins nobody wants to count.

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