Choose an equal or itemized split
An equal split works for a set menu or a meal where everyone shared the same dishes. Divide the final total, including tax and the agreed tip, by the number of people.
Use an itemized split when orders differ: each person pays for their own food and drinks, plus their share of shared items. Someone who skipped the wine should not automatically pay for it.
Agree on the method before ordering when possible. Either approach can work if everyone understands and accepts it.
How to handle tax and tip fairly
First add each person’s items, including their part of any shared dishes. Then divide their subtotal by the group’s subtotal to find their proportion.
Example: The group orders $120 of food and drinks. Your items total $30, or 25%. The receipt has $9.60 tax, and the group agrees to a $24 tip:
- Your items: $30.00
- Your tax: 25% × $9.60 = $2.40
- Your tip: 25% × $24 = $6.00
- Your total: $38.40
This proportional method works when the group shares charges on the same basis. If some purchases have a different tax rate or are exempt, use the actual item-level tax where available. Check for an included service charge or gratuity before adding more.
What about shared appetizers?
Split a shared dish only among the people who ate it. If three of five friends shared $15 nachos, add $5 to each of those three subtotals before allocating tax and tip.
How to split a bill when someone leaves early
Confirm their items and shared dishes before they leave. If the final receipt is ready, calculate their share and record any payment. Otherwise, agree to send the final amount later, including tax and tip.
Keep their contribution on the bill so the remaining guests do not pay for it again.
The fastest way: scan the receipt
In Splitceipt, capture a photo or choose one from your gallery, review the extracted items, and assign each row to one or more people. Confirm the charges and who paid, then save the split.
The receipt-splitting guide walks through the app. Guests without an account can review the completed bill through a shared browser link.
Common mistakes
- Charging everyone for a drink or dish only some people shared.
- Adding a second gratuity without checking the receipt.
- Rounding each item before calculating the final shares.
- Treating a saved split as proof of payment.
Check that everyone’s amounts add up to the full bill. After transferring money through your agreed payment method, record the settlement.