How it works
Everything is worked out on this device. Change a box and the split updates straight away. Use Equal split when the table shares the bill the same way. Use Itemised when people ordered different dishes, or when a shared plate belongs to only some of the table. The $ sign is only a label. The sums work the same in any currency, and round-up means the next whole unit of that currency.
- Subtotal, tax and tip. The tax can be the amount printed on the bill, or a percentage of the subtotal. The tip is a percentage of the subtotal before tax to begin with. You can switch it to subtotal plus tax. In the United States, full-service restaurants often see tips of 18% to 20% on the subtotal before tax. Follow the restaurant's posted policy, local custom and your own judgement. This page does not tell you what to tip.
- Shares in itemised mode. Each person's food total is the dishes assigned to them, with shared dishes split evenly. That person then pays the same fraction of the tax and of the tip.
- Pennies. The sums are done in whole cents. Leftover cents go to the first person so the shares still add up to the bill, and the results label that extra. Round-up, if you turn it on, moves each person up to the next whole dollar.
- Sharing. Copy share link puts your split into the page address, ready to paste into a message. Nothing is uploaded.
Common questions
Who made this?
UtilForge makes it. UtilForge is a website of free cybersecurity tools and small calculators. The About page explains why the tools were made, and the Contact page is the way to reach us.
Is this a scam site?
You do not have to take UtilForge's word for it, so here is what you can check. This page does not ask for payment, an account or card details. The tool is free, and a box further down offers an optional pack that is sold separately on Gumroad. The page also carries a security setting, called a Content Security Policy, that tells your browser to refuse any connection the page tries to make to send information elsewhere. To test it, open this page, switch your internet off and keep using the tool. It keeps working, because it has nothing to connect to.
What happens when I close the page?
The page saves nothing on your device: it uses no cookies and no stored settings. From the moment it loads, the page writes your split into its own web address, after the # sign. That includes the amounts, the tax and tip settings, the names you typed, and the dishes and prices. That is how the share link works, and how a refresh brings your split back. When you close the page the split is gone from the page, and opening the plain address starts with the example bill. Two things can keep a copy. A link you copied or sent holds the whole split, so anyone who gets it sees the names, dishes and amounts. Your browser may also keep the address in its history or in a bookmark. The Reset button puts the example bill back into the address.
Does it cost anything, and do I need to sign in?
It costs nothing. You do not sign in, give an email address or enter payment details to use the tool. Further down the page there is an optional offer for Family Safety Tools, a separate pack of fifteen tools where you pay what you want, including nothing. It is sold on Gumroad, and this tool does not need it.
Should I tip on the price before tax or after tax?
You can choose. The tool works the tip from the subtotal before tax to begin with, and you can switch it to the subtotal plus tax. In the United States, many diners tip on the food and drink subtotal before tax, and some prefer to tip on subtotal plus tax. House policy and local custom can differ. This page does not tell you what to tip, and it is not financial advice.
Who pays the extra pennies when the bill does not divide evenly?
The tool counts in whole cents, so the shares always add up to the bill. When the bill does not divide evenly, the leftover cents (from none up to one fewer than the number of people) go to the first person, and the results label that extra. If you turn on round-up, each person's share goes up to the next whole dollar. Those extra dollars count as more tip. They are not missing pennies.
Equal split or itemised: which should we use?
Equal is quick when everyone shared the meal. Itemised suits a table where orders differ a lot or someone skipped drinks.
Who gets the leftover pennies?
This tool gives the leftover cents to one person on purpose, so the total still adds up. No pennies are quietly dropped.
Should the tip be worked out before or after tax?
House rules differ. Pick the approach your table agrees on. The calculator can work the tip from the subtotal before tax or from the subtotal plus tax, however you enter the tax.
Does this store our dinner data?
No. The tool runs in your browser, so your file stays on your device. A share link holds the split inside its web address, so send one only if everyone at the table is happy for the people who get it to see the names, dishes and amounts.