How to calculate a tip pool by hours worked (with examples)

The formula

Share = pool total × (employee hours ÷ total hours in the pool).

Worked example

Friday dinner collected $840.00. Ana worked 6 h, Ben 5 h, Cara 4 h, Dev (busser) 5 h: 20 hours in total, so $42.00 per hour. Ana $252.00, Ben $210.00, Cara $168.00, Dev $210.00.

With points

If Dev is a busser at 0.5 points, weights are 6, 5, 4 and 2.5 = 17.5, so each weighted hour is worth $48.00: Ana $288.00, Ben $240.00, Cara $192.00, Dev $120.00.

The rounding problem

$100 split between three equal shifts is $33.333… each. Rounding each to $33.33 loses a cent. Tiptrail gives the leftover cents to the largest remainders so the shares add up to exactly $100.00.

Shifts after midnight

A bartender who clocks in at 00:30 is usually part of the previous night's pool. Tiptrail counts shifts starting before 4 am on the previous business day.

Last reviewed 2026-10-27. Software menus and labor rules change — confirm with the vendor's help center and your state labor department. Not legal or payroll advice.