How much should you tip?
Tipping customs vary by country and type of service. Some restaurants add a service charge to the bill automatically, while others leave it to the customer. Common tips range from 10% to 20% depending on service quality and local custom.
Common tip percentages
| Service level | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Standard service | 10% – 12% |
| Good service | 15% |
| Excellent service | 20% or more |
Example: dinner for 4 in Egypt
A food bill of EGP 800 with a 12% service charge and 14% VAT, and you decide to leave the waiter a 10% tip:
- Service: 800 × 12% = 96.
- VAT on the bill and service: (800 + 96) × 14% = 125.44.
- Tip on the food bill: 800 × 10% = 80.
- Total EGP 1,101.44, or EGP 275.36 each.
A service charge is not a tip
The “service” line on a bill goes to the restaurant and doesn’t always reach the waiter in full, which is why many people leave a small tip on top when the service was good. The calculator lets you enter both: the service charge in its own field and the tip in its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tipping mandatory?
No. A tip is generally optional and reflects satisfaction with the service, unless the bill explicitly includes a mandatory service charge.
Should I tip before or after tax?
It is most common to tip on the pre-tax bill amount, but this varies by local custom and by restaurant.
Why is a restaurant bill in Egypt about 28% more than the menu prices?
Most restaurants add a 12% service charge, then 14% VAT on the bill plus service: 1.12 × 1.14 = 1.277, about 27.7% extra. Tap “Egypt restaurant” to apply it automatically.
Should I add VAT in Saudi Arabia or the UAE?
Usually not: consumer prices there must be shown including VAT, so leave the tax field empty unless your bill adds it separately.
Is the tip calculated on the bill with service and VAT?
The calculator applies it to the food bill before service and VAT, which is the most common practice. If you prefer to tip on the total, use a slightly higher percentage.
Can I split the bill evenly when orders differ?
The calculator splits evenly. If orders differ a lot, work out each person’s order and add the same percentage increase shown under the result (for example 27.7% in Egypt).