Kalkulo

Bill split calculator

Split a restaurant check evenly among any number of people, tip included, in seconds.

Result
$30 / person
Total paid : $120

About this tool

Why use this tool

Splitting a check with friends, roommates or coworkers is a routine but often confusing task in the US, especially when factoring in tax (varies 4-10% by state) and a 15-25% tip on top. This calculator instantly divides the total among any number of people. It's essential for group dinners, road trips, bachelor/bachelorette parties, roommate expenses, and office lunches. According to a 2024 Bank of America survey, 76% of Americans split expenses digitally at least monthly.

How it works

Per-person share = (Bill + Tip) / Number of people. The tip is calculated as a percentage of the pre-tax subtotal (standard US practice), then added to the total before dividing. Apps like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App and Splitwise have made splitting seamless — no more IOUs. Zelle transfers are instant and free between major US banks; Venmo charges 1.75% for instant transfers to your bank.

Real example

Dinner for 6 at a Brooklyn restaurant: subtotal $186, NYC sales tax 8.875% ($16.50), 20% tip on pre-tax ($37.20). Grand total: $239.70. Per person: $39.95. For a weekend Airbnb in Nashville for 4 people ($480 rental + $220 groceries + $95 gas): $198.75 each. For a $360 group gift for a colleague's retirement, split 15 ways: $24 per person.

Practical tips

Decide upfront how you'll split: evenly, or itemized (each person pays for what they ordered — helpful if some skip alcohol or dessert). Restaurants in many states will now split the check onto multiple cards automatically (up to 4-6 cards typically). Use Splitwise for multi-day trips with shared expenses. Under IRS rules, informal reimbursements between friends via Venmo or Zelle are NOT taxable income — but if you receive $5,000+ in business payments via a third-party app in 2026, the platform issues Form 1099-K to the IRS.

Disclaimer

This tool performs an equal split. It doesn't account for individual preferences (vegetarians, non-drinkers, allergies). For itemized splits down to the penny, use Splitwise or Tab. State-specific sales tax and tip norms may apply. This is not tax advice — consult a CPA for questions about IRS reporting thresholds on peer-to-peer payment apps (revised under the American Rescue Plan Act, with delayed enforcement through 2026).

Frequently asked questions

Should the bill always be split evenly, even if people ordered very differently?⌄
An even split is the simplest and most common approach among friends, but it can feel unfair when orders differ a lot — one person's steak dinner next to another's side salad. Many groups default to even splitting for casual outings and switch to itemized splitting, where each person pays for what they ordered plus a proportional share of tax and tip, for bigger gaps.
Do US restaurants actually split the check onto separate cards?⌄
Most sit-down restaurants can split a check across multiple cards, commonly up to 4 to 6, directly at the table using their point-of-sale system. It's worth asking your server early, before the meal, since some smaller or busier establishments prefer one card and cash or an app for the rest.
Are Venmo or Zelle payments between friends taxable income?⌄
No. Informal reimbursements between friends for shared meals or trips, sent via Venmo, Zelle or Cash App, are not taxable income under IRS rules — they're simply splitting a personal expense, not payment for goods or services. The IRS 1099-K reporting threshold for third-party payment platforms applies to business-type transactions, not personal bill-splitting.
What if the restaurant already added an automatic gratuity for our group?⌄
Check the bill carefully before adding your own tip — many restaurants add an automatic gratuity of 18-20% for parties of six or more, and adding another full tip on top means significantly over-tipping. If an automatic gratuity is already included, split the bill as shown on the check rather than recalculating a tip from scratch.
What's the fastest way for everyone to pay back the person who covered the bill?⌄
Zelle transfers between major US banks are typically instant and free, making it the quickest way to settle up directly to a bank account. Venmo and Cash App are also popular and free for standard transfers, though moving the balance to your bank instantly usually carries a small fee of around 1.5-1.75%.

Related tools