🧾Bill Split Calculator

Understanding Canadian Tipping Standards

In Canada, tipping is customary in full-service restaurants. According to industry norms and consumer reports, a tip of 15% to 20% on the pre-tax bill is standard. While some provinces like Ontario have eliminated the sub-minimum wage for liquor servers, the expectation for gratuity remains high to support service staff. Restaurants Canada notes that tipping reflects the quality of service and is a significant part of a server's income.

Restaurants Canada

Calculating Tax in Shared Bills

Canadian sales taxes (GST, HST, or PST) are usually added to the menu price at the end. When splitting a bill, it's common to split the total including tax, but tips should ideally be calculated on the pre-tax amount. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers tips as taxable income for servers, so providing a clear split helps everyone understand their contribution to both the meal and the gratuity.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Large Group Policies in Canada

Many Canadian restaurants automatically apply an 'auto-gratuity' (typically 15-18%) for groups of 6 or 8 or more. The Competition Bureau Canada suggests that restaurants must clearly disclose these mandatory charges before you order. Using this calculator helps you double-check if an auto-gratuity was already applied to avoid double-tipping on a large group dinner.

Competition Bureau Canada

Is it normal to split the bill evenly in Canada?

Yes, 'splitting the bill' (even division) and 'separate checks' (paying only for what you ordered) are both common in Canada. Most modern Canadian Point of Sale (POS) systems allow servers to easily manage separate bills. However, for large groups, it is polite to inform the server beforehand if you require separate checks to ensure a smooth checkout process at the end of the night.

Should I tip on the total bill with tax or pre-tax?

Technically, the convention in Canada is to tip on the pre-tax amount. However, because most payment terminals calculate tip percentages based on the final total (which includes GST/HST), many Canadians end up tipping on the tax. For example, in a province with 13% HST, tipping 15% on the total is effectively tipping about 17% on the food. Our calculator allows you to adjust based on your preference.

What are the tipping expectations for takeout in Canada?

Tipping for takeout is not mandatory in Canada and is generally lower than for sit-down service. While not required, a small tip of 5-10% is appreciated if the order was complex or service was exceptional. For delivery services like UberEats or SkipTheDishes, a tip of 10-15% is standard, especially during inclement Canadian winter weather, as highlighted by various consumer advocacy groups.