Tip Calculator
Work out a tip and split the total between your group. Pick a preset tip percentage or enter your own.
How the Tip Calculator works
Enter your bill amount, select a tip percentage — or type a custom one — and specify how many people are sharing the bill. The calculator instantly shows the tip amount, the total bill including the tip, and what each person owes if you are splitting the cost equally.
Tipping culture in the UK is less prescriptive than in some other countries, but 10–15% has become the accepted range for good restaurant service. Many venues now add a 12.5% discretionary service charge automatically. Under rules introduced in October 2024, UK employers must pass all tips and service charges directly to staff, so your tip should reach your server in full regardless of whether you pay by cash or card.
If you are dining as a group, use the number of people field to split the total evenly. For situations where each person ordered different amounts, try the Restaurant Split Calculator for a proportional breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip in the UK?
Tipping in the UK is discretionary. In restaurants, 10–15% is common for good service, while 12.5% has become a widely used standard. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest pound or adding 10% is typical. For other services such as hairdressers or hotel porters, a few pounds is generally appreciated.
Is tipping mandatory in UK restaurants?
No, tipping is never legally mandatory in the UK. However, many restaurants automatically add a service charge — usually 12.5% — to the bill. You are legally entitled to ask for this to be removed if you were unhappy with the service. Since October 2024, legislation requires that all tips and service charges go directly to workers rather than being retained by employers.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
In the UK, restaurant prices already include VAT at 20%, so the bill you receive is the post-tax amount. It is standard practice to calculate the tip on the total bill shown, which already includes VAT. There is no widely accepted convention of tipping on a pre-tax subtotal as there is in the United States.
Is it better to tip in cash or by card?
Cash tips paid directly to your server are generally preferred by staff as they receive the money immediately and directly. Card tips are subject to the restaurant's tipping policy and, historically, were sometimes withheld by employers — though legislation introduced in October 2024 now requires all tips to be passed on to workers in full. If you want to ensure your server benefits, a cash tip is the most direct approach.