Expense Split Calculator
Split bills and expenses fairly between friends. Calculate who owes whom with minimum transfers.
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.
UK Tipping Etiquette
| Situation | Typical Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (table service) | 10-12.5% | Check if service charge is already added |
| Pub or café (counter) | Not expected | Rounding up is a nice 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 |
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.
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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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