How to split a bill fairly
A fair restaurant bill split starts with clear people, clear items, and a settlement that minimizes awkward payment chains.Bill Splitting is a free bill split calculator that does the math in your browser—including tax and tip.
1. Add everyone on the bill
Include only people who should share something. Saved names from past splits appear so the next dinner with friends goes faster.
2. Itemize what matters
Shared appetizers can go to everyone; a cocktail can go to one person. For each line, pick who paid and who splits it. That is the difference between a blunt equal split and an accurate food bill split.
3. Apply tip and tax
Enter tip as a percent or fixed amount. Tax is optional. Tip defaults to the subtotal; turn that off if your group tips after tax. Tip and tax are allocated in proportion to each person’s share of the food and drink—so a bill split calculator with tax and tip stays fair.
4. Settle with fewer payments
After totals, the settle-up list nets balances so people who overpaid get paid by people who underpaid—without everyone paying the original payer separately when a simpler path works.
5. Share the summary
Copy or share a plain-text summary so the group has the same numbers. Nothing is uploaded; drafts stay in local storage on your device—no bill split app to install.
FAQ
How do I split a bill fairly?
Add everyone on the bill, then add each line item with who paid and who shared it. Tip and tax are allocated in proportion to what each person consumed. The settlement list shows the fewest payments so everyone is even.
How do I split the bill with friends at a restaurant?
Open the bill split calculator, add each friend, then itemize food and drinks. Shared plates go to everyone; personal items go to the people who ordered them. Add tip and tax, then follow the settle-up list.
What is the difference between equal and itemized splits?
An equal split divides the whole bill (or an item) evenly among selected people. An itemized split assigns different items to different people—useful when someone skipped dessert or only drank water.
How do I split tax and tip on a bill?
Tax follows each person’s share of the food and drink. Tip works like a line item: set the tip amount, choose who paid it (equal or exact), and who splits it (equal, percent, or exact). Results show each person’s tax and tip separately.
Does tip get calculated before or after tax?
By default tip percent uses the subtotal (before tax). Switch to “After tax” if you tip on the post-tax total instead.
Is my bill data uploaded to a server?
No. The splitter runs in your browser. People, tip defaults, and your draft bill are saved only in local storage on your device. You do not need a bill split app install.
How does “settle up” decide who pays whom?
Each person’s net is what they paid minus what they owe. The tool matches people who owe with people who are owed to minimize the number of transfers.