Tip Pooling Calculator is a professional tool designed to help restaurant owners, managers, and team leaders fairly distribute tips among staff members.
With this calculator, you can:
Follow these simple steps to get accurate tip distribution:
Once your information is entered, the calculator displays:
All calculations update automatically when you make changes
Tip pooling is a system where all tips collected during a shift are combined into a single pool and then distributed among eligible staff members according to a predetermined method. This ensures fair distribution of tips across the entire team, rather than individual servers keeping only their own tips.
Our Tip Pooling Calculator supports three distribution methods: Equal Split (divided equally among all staff), Hours-Based (proportional to hours worked), and Role-Based (allocated by position percentages then divided by hours within each role).
Tip pooling involves collecting all tips into a central pool before redistribution, while tip sharing typically means individual servers give a percentage of their tips to support staff (like bussers or bartenders).
Tip pooling provides more equitable distribution and is what our calculator is designed to manage, ensuring fair allocation across your entire eligible team.
The Equal Split method divides the total tip pool equally among all staff members regardless of hours worked or job position.
Simply enter your total tips amount, add all staff members' names, select "Equal Split" as your distribution method, and click "Calculate Distribution."
Each person receives exactly the same amount: Total Tips ÷ Number of Staff = Individual Share.
Hours-Based distribution allocates tips proportionally based on how many hours each person worked. Staff members who work longer shifts receive a larger share of the tip pool.
The calculator uses this formula: (Individual Hours ÷ Total Team Hours) × Total Tips = Individual Share.
For example, if someone worked 8 hours out of a total 24 team hours, they'd receive 8/24 = 33.3% of the tip pool.
Role-Based distribution first allocates percentages of the tip pool to different job positions (like 40% to servers, 30% to bartenders, 20% to bussers, 10% to hosts), then divides each role's allocation among the people in that position based on hours worked.
This method works well when different positions have varying levels of customer interaction and tip-generating responsibility.
Use this when you want to recognize that servers and bartenders typically have more direct impact on tip generation than support staff.
Click the "+ Add Staff Member" button to add each team member.
Enter their name in the first field, select their role from the dropdown (if using Role-Based distribution), and input their hours worked in the hours field (for Hours-Based or Role-Based methods).
The calculator automatically shows or hides fields based on your selected distribution method. You can add as many staff members as needed and remove any entries using the "Remove" button.
Yes, our calculator includes a professional print feature that generates detailed tip distribution reports. These reports include all staff members, their hours worked, percentage shares, individual tip amounts, distribution method explanation, and summary statistics. The reports are formatted for business use and suitable for payroll records, staff communication, and regulatory compliance documentation.
The best method depends on your restaurant's structure and philosophy:
Many successful restaurants use Role-Based distribution as it acknowledges that servers and bartenders typically have more direct impact on tip generation while still fairly compensating support staff.
Most restaurants distribute tips either daily (at the end of each shift) or weekly (with regular payroll). Daily distribution provides immediate gratification for staff and simpler calculations, while weekly distribution can be more administratively efficient. Choose a frequency that matches your payroll schedule and staff preferences, but maintain consistency to set proper expectations.
Use our calculator's print feature to generate detailed reports showing exactly how tips were calculated and distributed. Post these reports where staff can review them, explaining your chosen distribution method clearly. Consistency in your method and open communication about the process builds trust and reduces disputes about tip allocation.
