Tip pool point system calculator
Give each role a point value (server 1, busser 0.5, host 0.25) and split the pool by hours × points for every shift in your timesheet. Exact to the cent.
How a point system works
In a point system each role gets a weight. A server might be 1 point, a bartender 1, a busser 0.5 and a host 0.25. Each shift's share is its hours times its points, divided by the total for the pool.
Example: a $600 pool, a server who worked 6 hours (6 × 1 = 6) and a busser who worked 6 hours (6 × 0.5 = 3). Total weight 9: the server gets $400.00, the busser $200.00.
Setting points in Tiptrail
- Every job in your file appears in the roles table with its shifts and hours.
- Type a point value; 0 means the role doesn't share in the pool.
- Untick contributes for roles whose tips shouldn't go in (for example hosts who receive but don't collect).
How the split is calculated
- Each pool (a day, a lunch or dinner shift, a week or the whole period) collects the tips from everyone who contributes.
- Every shift in the pool gets a weight: hours × points for its role (servers 1, bussers 0.5, managers 0 — your choice).
- The pool is divided by weight to the cent. Leftover cents go by the largest remainder, so the shares always add up to exactly what was collected.
- Optionally, split the pool by group percentages first (for example 70% front of house, 30% back of house), then by hours × points inside each group.
How it works
- Export your timesheet for the pay period from Toast, Square, 7shifts, Homebase or When I Work (where to find it).
- Set your pool rules once: pool period, points per role, who contributes, group percentages. They're remembered.
- Pay out: download the payroll CSV, print the report, or (Pro) the Excel workbook and employee statements.
FAQ
Is it really private?
Yes. Your file is read by JavaScript running in your browser tab; its contents — names, hours, tips — are never sent over the network. You can verify this in your browser's developer tools (Network tab), or go offline after the page has loaded.
Which files work?
Toast Time Entries and payroll exports, Square timecards, 7shifts time punches, Homebase timesheets, When I Work timesheets, and most other timesheet exports with an employee, a date and hours or clock-in/out times — CSV, TXT, XLSX, XLS or ODS. Columns are detected automatically and you can change any of them; your choice is remembered for that layout.
How are tips split?
Each pool's tips are divided by hours worked × the points you give each role. Optionally the pool is first split between groups (e.g. front and back of house) by percentage. Cents are allocated by largest remainder, so shares always add up exactly.
My export has no tip columns. Can I still use it?
Yes. Type each pool's tips into the Add tips box; the split uses the hours from your file.
Is it legal advice?
No. Tiptrail does the arithmetic with the rules you set. Who may share in a tip pool depends on federal, state and local law — see our tip pooling rules overview and check with your state labor department or an employment lawyer.
What's free?
Everything, one file at a time, for reports covering up to 7 business days — the full split, checks, payroll CSV and printable report. Pro removes the limit for whole pay periods, combines several files or locations, and adds the Excel audit workbook, shift-by-shift CSV and employee statements.