How to Split a Restaurant Bill Fairly

To split a restaurant bill, calculate the subtotal per person, add a proportional share of tax and tip, and settle via a shared expense app like Loot.

Three Ways to Split a Restaurant Bill

MethodHow It WorksBest For
Equal SplitDivide total (including tax and tip) by number of people.Similar orders, casual dining.
Itemized SplitEach person pays for exactly what they ordered, plus proportional tax and tip.Mixed budgets, fine dining.
Host PaysOne person covers the bill, others settle later.Business meals, celebrations.

How to Calculate Tip on a Split Bill

Example: $120 bill, 4 people, 20% tip.

Subtotal per person: $30.00

Tip per person (20%): $6.00

Tax per person (~8%): $2.40

Total per person: $38.40

Why Use an App to Split Restaurant Bills?

Manual calculations are error-prone and awkward. A bill splitting app like Loot scans your receipt, handles the math, and lets everyone pay their share in seconds — all inside iMessage.

FAQ