Bill Splitter
Runs locallyInput stays in your browserFree, no sign-up
Splitting a bill comes down to two methods. An even split divides the total due by the number of people. A by-item split scales each person's subtotal by the same factor. Total due = bill + tip + tax, where tip = bill × tip rate and tax = bill × tax rate. Note the convention that matters: tip is calculated on the pre-tax bill. A server's tip is figured on the food, not on the food plus tax, and that is the convention this tool follows. In a by-item split, each person's share = their subtotal × (1 + tax rate + tip rate). Because the same rates apply to everyone, the person who ordered more also carries more of the tip and tax, which is what makes it fair.
Three situations cover most uses. First, the ordinary group dinner: four people, a 240 bill, 15% tip — total 276, each pays 69, settled in seconds instead of a round of mental arithmetic at the table. Second, the uneven table: one person skipped drinks, another ordered only a salad, and an even split would overcharge them both — a by-item split scales each subtotal instead, so nobody subsidizes anyone else's order. Third, trips and shared flats: rent, utilities, and cab fares split with tip and tax at 0 become a plain split, and the person who paid upfront gets a per-person breakdown to collect against.
Edge cases, stated plainly. First, rounding: 100 split three ways is 33.33 each, which adds up to 99.99 — a cent short. This tool works in whole cents and hands the leftover cents to the first people in an even split, or to the largest item in a by-item split, so the shares always add up to the total due exactly. Second, the commonest mistake is tipping on the after-tax total, which inflates the tip by the tax on the tip; enter the rate against the pre-tax bill. Third, head count: if the host is not splitting, leave them out of the people count, or every share is wrong. Fourth, by-item lines must each carry an amount greater than 0 with at most two decimals — a malformed line is rejected with a message rather than silently counted as zero.
Two worked examples. Even split: a 240 bill, 15% tip, no tax, four people — tip 36, total 276, each pays 69. By-item: subtotals of 60, 80, and 100, 15% tip, no tax — total 276, shares of 69, 92, and 115, which add back to 276 exactly. Change any input and the result recalculates at once; copy the result into the group chat and the person who paid can collect without retyping a single number.
How to use
- Pick a split method: even when everyone ate about the same, by item when orders differ a lot.
- For an even split, enter the bill amount and the number of people; for a by-item split, list one person per line as a name plus an amount, for example Alice 60.
- Enter the tip rate (15%, 18%, and 20% are the common presets) and the tax rate; enter 0 where there is no tax.
- Read the tip amount, tax amount, total due, and per-person share, and check each line in the split details.
- Copy the result into the group chat and collect by the breakdown; change any number and the result recalculates at once.
FAQ
Is tip calculated before or after tax?
Before tax: tip amount = bill × tip rate, with tax figured separately. Tipping on the after-tax total taxes the tip itself and inflates it; enter the rate against the pre-tax bill.
Why do even shares sometimes add up a cent short?
Rounding: 100 split three ways is 33.33 each, which totals 99.99. This tool works in whole cents and gives the leftover cents to the first people, so 100 split three ways is 33.34, 33.33, and 33.33 — exactly 100.
How do I write a by-item line?
One item per line, as a name plus an amount, for example Alice 60. An amount alone works too — it shows as Unnamed plus a number. Amounts must be greater than 0 with at most two decimals; a malformed line is rejected with a message.
What if someone is not splitting the tip?
Leave them out of the people count in an even split, or leave their line out of a by-item list. Settle the head count first — every share depends on it.
What do I enter when there is no tax?
Enter 0. With tip at 0 as well the tool is a plain split. A service charge can go in the tax field, since the math is identical: both scale with the bill.