TipNTax guide

How to Split a Restaurant Bill

Understand equal versus itemized sharing.

Method 1: Equal split

Add the bill, applicable taxes, and tip. Divide by the number of diners. Rounding to the nearest cent can leave a one- or two-cent remainder; make one or two shares a cent larger to match the total.

Example: $100.01 split among three people = $33.34, $33.34, and $33.33.

Method 2: Split by items ordered

Add each diner’s items. Allocate shared tax and tip based on each person’s portion of the order. This is more work but can be fairer when one diner ordered substantially more.

Which method is better?

For similarly priced orders, equal splits are convenient. For differently priced orders, use our itemized calculator. Discuss shared appetizers, drinks, and service fees before dividing.