Guides/Tip 15% vs 18% vs 20%
How to tip 15% vs 18% vs 20%
In many US restaurants these three rates are the common card-prompt choices. The math is the same formula; only the multiplier changes. Customs differ by country — treat percentages as planning aids, not rules.
Formulas
- 15% tip = bill × 0.15
- 18% tip = bill × 0.18
- 20% tip = bill × 0.20
- Total with tip = bill × (1 + rate)
When people pick each rate
- 15%: older “standard” baseline; still used for okay service or counter tips in some places.
- 18%: common default on terminals; often matches auto-gratuity on large parties.
- 20%: frequent target for full-service meals when service was good.
Side-by-side examples
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 |
| $65 | $9.75 | $11.70 | $13.00 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| $128 | $19.20 | $23.04 | $25.60 |
Worked splits
- $80, four people, 18%: tip $14.40; total $94.40 →$23.60 each.
- $80, four people, 20%: tip $16; total $96 →$24.00 each — $0.40 more per person than 18%.
- Mental 20%: 10% then double. Mental 15%: 10% + half of that. See tip without a calculator.
Common mistakes
- Tipping again on top of an 18–20% auto-gratuity —gratuity vs tip.
- Comparing rates without noticing whether the prompt uses pre-tax or post-tax bill.
Calculate any rate
Use the freeTip Calculatorfor tip and per-person totals. Context:how much to tip·split with tip.