News & Trending Money News

8 Do’s and Don’Ts of Splitting a Check

Keep the peace and your friendships intact with these check-splitting guidelines.

friends splitting bill on restaurent table
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Splitting the check at a meal is an incredibly divisive topic. Approaching the topic — and making your way gracefully through the experience — is a special art form all on its own.

Once you get it down, you might even go out to eat more with a group now that you’ve mastered navigating the awkwardness. Here are some key dos and don’ts to employ.

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Do talk to the server before ordering

Minerva Studio/Adobe senior waiter serving couple at restaurant

If you know you’re splitting the check up front, give your server a heads-up before ordering. That will help them track who’s ordering.

It will also allow them to let you know about any additional fees or gratuities that might be applied, as well as the best option for paying, as some restaurants have a maximum number of cards they’ll run for one bill.

Setting expectations early is helpful and less overwhelming.

Do keep celebrations in mind

Drobot Dean/Adobe cheerful woman celebrating birthday in restaurant

Out for an anniversary, birthday, or other special occasion? Keep that in mind when determining how to split the bill.

Someone in your party might want to pay for a meal or drink, or the group might want to split the guest of honor’s meal equally.

If you’re trying to surprise someone in the party, consider discussing the check with others before you even get to your dining location.

Do determine the type of check split

peopleimages.com/Adobe friends paying at coffee shop

Things can get wild if you don’t establish how the bill is being divided, especially among bigger groups.

Is everyone splitting the bill evenly, or will some be offended if they only ordered an appetizer? Will everyone order things in a similar price range?

Keep these questions in mind when determining how the check is being split.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

Don’t forget to add in tax and tip

MargJohnsonVA/Adobe cash with change on restaurent table

When calculating the amount everyone owes on a check, keep tax and tip in mind. There’s nothing worse than people throwing in money based on the list price of their item, pre-fees.

That leaves people in the lurch, making up for discrepancies from their peers or awkwardly pointing it out at the end. You also want to mitigate the chances that your serving staff isn’t tipped properly.

Do agree on how everyone will pay someone back if they put down their credit card

cherryandbees/Adobe man making payment with smartphone in restaurant

Often, in larger groups, one or two people will be willing to put down credit cards and have everyone else pay them back.

Before the check comes, you’ll want to chat about how exactly that’ll happen: Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or cash so the money goes through right away and no one’s left awkwardly waiting days later.

Don’t be afraid to bring it up

Southworks/Adobe friends paying contactlessly in restaurant

Not able to be at the function on time and afraid you missed the discussion about splitting the bill? Chances are it hasn’t happened yet.

Feel free to ask upfront as you smile, say “Hi,” and slide into your seat. Or, lean into your neighbor and ask if the subject has been mentioned.

No harm, no foul – especially if things have been ordered and people are already sipping on beverages.

Do speak up if there’s a disparity

nicoletaionescu/Adobe woman checking restaurant bill

Despite your best efforts, there can still be disparities with the check at the end of the meal.

Perhaps the price on the receipt doesn’t match what was on the menu, or maybe you didn’t get your hands on a serving of the pitcher of margaritas delivered to the table.

If you’re being charged unfairly and it’s more than a few dollars, it’s fair to bring it up — especially if you’re on a budget.

Don’t take the pen

trongnguyen/Adobe pint glass next to bill holder

Carry a pen. And if you don’t have one, don’t steal your waiter’s pen. They make it a joke because they deal with it every day.

If you’re passing the pen around to collect multiple signatures on a bill, make sure someone in your party tracks the pen and gives it back to the wait staff.

Bottom line

Yakobchuk Olena/Adobe ladies paying for order in cafe

How you handle a split check helps keep everyone’s nerves at bay when dining out. It also helps your server feel less overwhelmed and leave a lasting impression on fellow diners.

Make it easy by taking care of it early. And don’t forget to earn points and rewards on special nights out when you use your best rewards credit cards.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details