Tip-Out / Pooled Tips Calculator
Split a shift's pooled tips fairly across staff by hours worked, and take out support-role percentages first — the way real restaurant tip pools work.
How it works
Server pool = tips − tips × (bar% + support%) · Your share = server pool × (your hours ÷ total server-hours) · Equal share = server pool ÷ servers
In a tip pool, support roles are usually paid first as a percentage of total tips — the bar and bussers "tip-out" — and what remains is divided among the servers. The fairest split of the remainder weights each server by hours worked, so someone who covered a full shift earns proportionally more than someone who left early. This tool takes out the support percentages, then shows both your hours-weighted share and a simple equal split for comparison.
Worked example
On $900 of tips with 5% to the bar ($45) and 5% to support ($45), the server pool is $810. Split equally among 4 servers that is $202.50 each. If you worked 6 of the 24 total server-hours, your hours-weighted share is 810 × (6 ÷ 24) = $202.50 — the same here because hours are even, but it diverges when shifts differ.
Frequently asked questions
Should tips be split evenly or by hours?
By hours is generally considered fairest because it rewards time actually worked. An even split is simpler but overpays someone who worked a short shift and underpays a closer. Many houses use hours-weighted pools for exactly this reason.
Are tip-outs taken before or after the pool is split?
Support-role tip-outs (bar, bussers, runners) come out first, off the top of total tips. Only the remaining server pool is then divided among the servers, so everyone shares the tip-out cost proportionally.
Are pooled tips taxable?
Yes. All tips you receive, including your share of a pool, are taxable income and must be reported. This tool shows gross shares before any tax withholding.
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