How do you split a bill with tip?

Multiply the bill by the tip factor (1.18 for an 18% tip, 1.20 for 20%), then divide by the number of people. For a $132 bill, 18% tip and 4 people: 132 × 1.18 = 155.76, and 155.76 ÷ 4 = 38.94 each.

Using a multiplier avoids the step where someone works out the tip separately and adds it wrong.

Even split

Bill	Tip	Factor	People	Each
$86.40	20%	1.20	3	$34.56
$132.00	18%	1.18	4	$38.94
$210.50	15%	1.15	5	$48.42

Round up to the cent so the table doesn’t come up short.

Tip before or after tax?

US etiquette guides usually say tip on the pre-tax subtotal. If you do that, multiply only the subtotal by the factor and add tax afterwards: (subtotal × 1.18) + tax, then divide. Agree on this before anyone pays.

Paying for what you ordered

1. Add up each person’s items.
2. Multiply each person’s subtotal by the same factor.
3. Share tax in proportion, or split it evenly if it’s small.
4. Check that everyone’s totals add up to the bill plus tip.

Step 4 is where a list of every number helps. With Voice Calculator (my app) you can say “24.50 plus 12 plus 3.75” and each value lands on a visible tape, so the person holding the receipt can read out the items while you check the lines. If you misheard one, tap that line and fix it instead of starting over. Say “times 1.18” and “equals” to hear the result.

When an app’s split button is enough

If you’re paying through Apple Pay, Venmo or a bill-splitting app, use its split. The manual method is for checking that split, or for tables where orders differ a lot.

Related: adding up receipts by voice and the Voice Calculator guides.