Restaurant bill examples
Here are realistic checks with a 20% tip on the pre-tax amount (tax not included in these simplified examples):
| Situation | Bill | 20% tip | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40 dinner for two | $40 | $8 | $48 |
| $75 dinner | $75 | $15 | $90 |
| $120 family meal | $120 | $24 | $144 |
| $200 larger group | $200 | $40 | $240 |
Prefer a full lookup table? Open the tip chart.
Check your receipt before tipping
Some restaurants already include a gratuity, service charge, or automatic tip — especially for larger parties. Before you add another tip:
- Scan the receipt for words like gratuity, service charge, or auto-grat.
- Confirm whether that amount is already in the total.
- Only add an extra tip if you intend to.
Policies differ by restaurant. Reading the bill is the safest way to avoid double-tipping.
Dining situations
- Sit-down restaurants: Percentage tips on the meal subtotal are common in the US.
- Takeout / counter service: Practices vary. Some people leave a smaller amount or round up; others tip differently based on the order.
- Bars: Per-drink or percentage approaches are both used — customs vary by venue.
- Large parties: Check for automatic gratuity before calculating your own tip. To divide the check, use the split bill calculator.
Service and tip percentage
Tip amounts can vary by situation, location, service experience, and personal choice. Many diners use figures around 15–20% as examples for sit-down meals. 20% is a commonly used example — not a universal rule.
For the math behind any percentage, see how to calculate tip. To include sales tax clearly, use the tip calculator with tax.