20% Tip Chart — The New Standard, Every Bill Size Worked Out
- 20% of your bill = move the decimal one place left, then double it. $73 bill → $7.30 × 2 = $14.60.
- On common bills: $25 = $5, $50 = $10, $75 = $15, $100 = $20, $150 = $30, $200 = $40, $300 = $60.
- 20% is the new US floor for table service in 2026. Most good servers make closer to 22%.
- Calculator handles split across any group size — one tap for each person's share.
Table of Contents
Twenty percent is now the default US restaurant tip. A 20% tip on a $100 bill is exactly $20. On $75 it is $15. On $200 it is $40. Below is the full chart from $5 up to $500, the mental shortcut that works on any amount in under three seconds, and a free free tip calculator that splits the total across your group. Whether you are tipping your server, your bartender, or your Uber driver, 20% is the number most Americans reach for in 2026.
20% Tip Chart — Every Common Bill Amount
Numbers are exact and assume you're tipping on the pre-tax subtotal. For post-tax tipping, multiply each tip in the chart by 1.08 if your local tax is 8%.
| Bill | 20% Tip | Total | Split 2 | Split 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | $1.00 | $6.00 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
| $10 | $2.00 | $12.00 | $6.00 | $3.00 |
| $15 | $3.00 | $18.00 | $9.00 | $4.50 |
| $20 | $4.00 | $24.00 | $12.00 | $6.00 |
| $25 | $5.00 | $30.00 | $15.00 | $7.50 |
| $30 | $6.00 | $36.00 | $18.00 | $9.00 |
| $40 | $8.00 | $48.00 | $24.00 | $12.00 |
| $50 | $10.00 | $60.00 | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| $60 | $12.00 | $72.00 | $36.00 | $18.00 |
| $75 | $15.00 | $90.00 | $45.00 | $22.50 |
| $80 | $16.00 | $96.00 | $48.00 | $24.00 |
| $100 | $20.00 | $120.00 | $60.00 | $30.00 |
| $120 | $24.00 | $144.00 | $72.00 | $36.00 |
| $150 | $30.00 | $180.00 | $90.00 | $45.00 |
| $200 | $40.00 | $240.00 | $120.00 | $60.00 |
| $250 | $50.00 | $300.00 | $150.00 | $75.00 |
| $300 | $60.00 | $360.00 | $180.00 | $90.00 |
| $400 | $80.00 | $480.00 | $240.00 | $120.00 |
| $500 | $100.00 | $600.00 | $300.00 | $150.00 |
How to Calculate 20% in Your Head (Double-and-Decimal)
Even easier than the 15% trick. Move the decimal one place to the left, then double the number. That is it.
- Bill is $73.50. Move the decimal: $7.35.
- Double it: $14.70.
- That's your 20% tip.
It works because 20% is exactly two times 10%, and finding 10% of any number is just decimal movement. For restaurant speed-math, round down to the nearest dollar on the 10% step before doubling — $73.50 becomes $7, doubled to $14, which is close enough to the real $14.70 that nobody will notice a 70-cent difference on a receipt.
Sell Custom Apparel — We Handle Printing & Free ShippingWhen 20% Is the Right Tip (and When to Go Higher)
Twenty percent covers almost every good-service scenario in the US. Use it as your default and only deviate in specific situations.
Tip 20% for:
- Sit-down restaurant with attentive service
- Bars where the drink order had actual work involved
- Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) on standard trips
- Hair stylists and colorists for routine appointments
- Massage therapists and nail techs
- Food delivery on orders under $30
Tip 22–25% for:
- Exceptional service, memorable experiences
- Holiday meals or celebrations where staff stayed late
- Tattoo artists (25% is standard in that industry)
- Servers who handled complex dietary restrictions gracefully
- Small checks where 20% barely registers ($5 on a $25 bill isn't much)
Tip 15% instead:
- Counter service and takeout
- Buffets where service is minimal
- When service genuinely fell short (even a 15% tip sends a message)
20% on Big Bills vs Small Bills — The Fairness Question
Twenty percent feels very different on a $30 bill than a $300 bill. On the small check, $6 barely covers the server's time. On the big check, $60 may be more than the raw labor cost. Is the ratio fair? That debate comes up constantly on Reddit.
The honest answer: tipping culture is proportional by design. Expensive meals usually involve more courses, longer service times, wine pairings, and higher server expertise. A sommelier at a fine-dining restaurant is paying off years of training. The 20% on the $300 bill isn't a windfall — it's priced into the job the way a commission is priced into real estate.
On a small tab where 20% feels too low in absolute dollars, many people round up. A $3.20 tip on a $16 lunch often becomes $4. The free tip calculator lets you see both the percentage and the rounded-up number so you can choose what feels right.
Splitting a 20% Tip Across a Group
Tip on the whole bill, then divide by the number of people. Never calculate per-dish tips — the server worked the whole table equally.
Example — work dinner for 6 at $240:
- Subtotal: $240.00
- 20% tip: $48.00
- Total: $288.00
- Per person: $48.00
For groups of 8 or more, many restaurants add an automatic 18–20% gratuity. Check the receipt before adding another tip on top — we break that down in our tipflation guide. If gratuity was already added, you've already tipped.
Calculate Any 20% Tip in One Tap
Our free tip calculator has 20% pre-loaded. Enter your bill, split across any number of people, and see each person's exact share.
Open Free Tip CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much is 20% tip on $100?
Exactly $20.00. Your total comes to $120. Split between four people it is $30 each.
How much is 20% tip on $50?
Exactly $10.00. Total with tip is $60. Split between two it is $30 each.
Is 20% mandatory?
No. Tipping is voluntary in the US, and no law requires a specific percentage. Automatic gratuity on large parties (usually 6+) is the exception — that is stated on the menu and cannot be removed.
Is 20% a good tip on an Uber?
Yes. Rideshare drivers net less than restaurant servers after car costs, so 20% or a flat $3–5 on short rides is considered standard in 2026.
Do I tip 20% on tax?
Most people do, because the receipt total is the easiest number to work from. Technically the traditional rule is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal. On a US bill the difference is usually $1–2.
