Expense Split Calculator
Split bills and expenses fairly between friends. Calculate who owes whom with minimum transfers.
Add names and expenses, then click Calculate. Each expense is split equally among all participants. The calculator works out who owes whom and shows the minimum number of transfers needed to settle up.
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
| Method | How It Works | Best For | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal split | Total ÷ number of people | Quick, no arguments | Unfair if orders differ a lot |
| Itemised split | Each person pays for what they ordered | Most fair mathematically | Tedious; awkward socially |
| Proportional split | Split by income or by what each ordered | Mixed income groups | Needs agreement upfront |
| Round-robin | Take turns paying the full bill | Regular 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.
Tipping Etiquette by Country
Tipping customs vary significantly between countries. The table below covers the four currencies supported by this calculator so you can split correctly wherever you are.
United Kingdom
| Situation | Typical Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (table service) | 10-15% | Check if a service charge (usually 10-12.5%) is already added; if so, no further tip is needed |
| Pub or café (counter) | Not expected | Rounding up is a kind gesture, not required |
| Taxi / Uber | Round up to nearest £ | £12.60 fare → £13 or £14 |
| Hairdresser | 10% or £2-5 | Often given directly to the person |
| Hotel porter | £1-2 per bag | Cash preferred |
United States
| Situation | Typical Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (table service) | 15-20% | 15% for average service, 20% for good service, 20-25% for excellent; calculated on the pre-tax subtotal |
| Bar or café (counter) | $1-2 per drink or 10-15% | Tip prompts on card readers are common; not obligatory |
| Taxi / rideshare | 15-20% | In-app prompts make this straightforward |
| Hotel porter | $2-5 per bag | Cash preferred |
Canada
| Situation | Typical Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (table service) | 15-20% | Calculate on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total including HST/GST; 15% is the accepted baseline, 18-20% for good service |
| Bar or café (counter) | 10-15% | Tip prompts on card terminals are standard across Canada |
| Taxi / rideshare | 10-15% | Round up for short trips |
| Hotel porter | $2-3 CAD per bag | Cash preferred |
Australia
| Situation | Typical Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (table service) | Not expected; 10% optional at fine dining | Australia's minimum wage means workers do not depend on tips; a tip is genuine appreciation, not a social obligation |
| Café or pub (counter) | Not expected | Rounding up is appreciated but rarely done |
| Taxi / rideshare | Round up or nothing | No social pressure to tip |
| Hotel porter | $2-5 AUD per bag, optional | A kind gesture; not expected |
When splitting the bill: Agree on whether the tip is included before you divide. In the UK and Australia, check the receipt first as a service charge may already be added. In the US and Canada, the tip is nearly always on top and should be agreed before anyone transfers money.
Related Money Tools
How to use this tool
Add the names of people sharing expenses
Add each expense with amount and who paid
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?
How does the calculator minimise transfers?
Can I do unequal splits?
Should I tip on the total before or after splitting?
What's the fairest way to split a restaurant bill?
How do I handle expenses in different currencies?
What if someone joins or leaves partway through a trip?
How do I handle shared items vs individual purchases?
What if I forget an expense?
Is my data stored anywhere?
Can I use this for business expenses?
How do I handle cash payments?
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.