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    Expense Split Calculator

    Split bills and expenses fairly between friends. Calculate who owes whom with minimum transfers.

    Free to use. Runs in your browser.

    Enter a total expense and the number of people to see each person's share. Handles uneven splits, tipping, and multi-currency groups.

    People

    Expenses

    Why Splitting Bills Is Harder Than It Looks

    Five friends go to dinner. Three people pay for different things. Someone covers the taxi. Another picks up the hotel room. Now work out who owes whom, ideally with the fewest possible bank transfers.

    The maths isn't difficult. The challenge is minimising the number of transfers. With 5 people, naive settling could require up to 10 transfers. A greedy settlement algorithm (what this calculator uses) typically reduces that to 3 or 4.

    The algorithm works by calculating each person's net balance (what they paid minus their fair share), then matching the biggest creditor with the biggest debtor. This produces the minimum number of transfers needed to make everyone whole.

    Splitting Methods Compared

    MethodHow It WorksBest ForDownside
    Equal splitTotal ÷ number of peopleQuick, no argumentsUnfair if orders differ a lot
    Itemised splitEach person pays for what they orderedMost fair mathematicallyTedious; awkward socially
    Proportional splitSplit by income or by what each orderedMixed income groupsNeeds agreement upfront
    Round-robinTake turns paying the full billRegular groups (weekly lunches)Evens out only over time

    What this means for you: For most social situations, splitting equally and rounding up is the least awkward option. The small overpay is usually worth the social goodwill. Save itemised splitting for significant imbalances (someone didn't drink at a wine-heavy dinner, for example).

    Tips for Painless Group Expenses

    Agree the Method Before You Order

    Nothing creates tension like arguing about the split after the bill arrives. Agree upfront: "Are we splitting evenly or by what we order?" This one conversation prevents all the awkwardness.

    One Person Pays, Others Transfer

    The cleanest approach: one person puts the whole thing on their card, then everyone else transfers their share. It creates one clear transaction per person and works perfectly with bank transfer apps.

    Include Tax and Tip in the Split

    Don't forget to split the tip and any service charge too. A £200 dinner split 4 ways isn't £50 each, it's £50 plus your share of the £25 tip, so £56.25. This calculator handles the full amount.

    Settle Up Immediately

    Transfer the money before you leave the restaurant. The longer you wait, the more likely someone "forgets." Bank apps make instant transfers trivial. Set a group norm: we settle before we leave.

    UK Tipping Etiquette

    SituationTypical TipNotes
    Restaurant (table service)10-12.5%Check if service charge is already added
    Pub or café (counter)Not expectedRounding up is a nice gesture, not required
    Taxi / UberRound up to nearest ££12.60 fare → £13 or £14
    Hairdresser10% or £2-5Often given directly to the person
    Hotel porter£1-2 per bagCash preferred

    What this means for you: When splitting a restaurant bill, check the receipt first, many UK restaurants add a 12.5% service charge automatically. If it's already included, there's no need to tip on top. If not, add 10-12.5% before splitting.

    Related Money Tools

    Tip CalculatorCalculate tips and split billsPercentage CalculatorCalculate any percentageDiscount CalculatorCalculate sale pricesCurrency ConverterConvert between currenciesGrocery BudgetPlan your food spendingTravel BudgetPlan trip expenses

    How to use this tool

    1

    Add the names of people sharing expenses

    2

    Add each expense with amount and who paid

    3

    Click Calculate to see who owes whom

    Common uses

    • Splitting restaurant bills between friends
    • Settling shared holiday or trip expenses
    • Dividing household costs between flatmates
    • Managing group gift contributions
    • Tracking shared project or event costs

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How does expense splitting work?
    Add everyone's name, then enter each expense with the amount and who paid. The calculator figures out each person's net balance and produces the minimum number of bank transfers needed to settle up. It uses a greedy settlement algorithm to minimise hassle.
    How does the calculator minimise transfers?
    It calculates each person's net balance (what they paid minus their fair share), then matches the biggest creditor with the biggest debtor. With 5 people, a naive approach could need 10 transfers. The algorithm typically reduces this to 3 or 4.
    Can I do unequal splits?
    The calculator currently splits each expense equally among all participants. For unequal splits, you can work around this by adding the same expense multiple times with different amounts for each person's share.
    Should I tip on the total before or after splitting?
    Include the tip in the total expenses before splitting. A £200 dinner with a £30 tip split 4 ways is £57.50 each, not £50 plus an awkward separate tip conversation. Our Tip Calculator can help you work out the right tip amount.
    What's the fairest way to split a restaurant bill?
    For most social situations, splitting evenly is simplest and causes the least friction. The small overpay for lighter eaters is usually worth the goodwill. Reserve itemised splitting for big imbalances, like when someone didn't drink at a wine-heavy dinner.
    How do I handle expenses in different currencies?
    Convert all expenses to a single currency before entering them. Use the exchange rate from when the expense was paid, not today's rate. Our Currency Converter can help with the conversions.
    What if someone joins or leaves partway through a trip?
    Only add that person to the expenses they were actually part of. If someone arrives on day 3 of a 5-day trip, they shouldn't be splitting the first 2 days of accommodation. Add separate expenses for each phase.
    How do I handle shared items vs individual purchases?
    Enter shared costs (hotel, taxi, group dinner) as group expenses split among everyone. Enter individual purchases (personal shopping, solo meals) as expenses paid by and owed by only that person, or simply leave them out of the split.
    What if I forget an expense?
    Add it later and recalculate. The algorithm adjusts all balances. It's better to settle roughly on time and adjust later than to delay settling while chasing every receipt.
    Is my data stored anywhere?
    No. All calculations happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing is sent to any server, no cookies are set, and no data is stored. Refresh the page and everything resets.
    Can I use this for business expenses?
    Yes, it works for any group expense scenario: team lunches, project costs, shared office supplies, or group business travel. For formal business expense tracking, you'll want proper accounting software, but this is perfect for quick informal splits.
    How do I handle cash payments?
    Treat cash the same as card, enter the expense amount and who paid. When settling up, the transfers shown can be made via bank transfer, cash, or any payment method you agree on.

    Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.