Question 1

How do you split a restaurant bill fairly by item instead of evenly?

Accepted Answer

List every item on the bill and assign it to the person who ordered it. Add shared items (like a shared appetizer or bottle of wine) split evenly among those who shared it. Then calculate the subtotal per person, add their proportional share of tax, and split tip based on their subtotal share. This is more work than dividing evenly, but eliminates the resentment of subsidizing a larger order.

Question 2

Should tip be split evenly or proportionally?

Accepted Answer

Proportionally is mathematically fairer — the person who ordered the $50 steak generates more work for the server than the person who ordered the $12 salad. Split the tip in proportion to each person's pre-tax subtotal, not evenly by head count.

Question 3

What's the fairest way to handle a shared appetizer when splitting a bill?

Accepted Answer

Divide the cost of shared items equally among everyone who partook. Be explicit about who's including themselves in shared items — a simple thumbs up from each person at the table before calculating resolves most ambiguity.

Itemized Bill Splitter

People

Items & Assignments

Tax & Tip

Each Person Owes