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Split expenses

Split the bills for a trip, a shared home or a couple equally or in proportion to income. From a list of who paid what, the calculator shows each person’s balance and who pays whom, with the fewest transfers.

Educational simulation. Not investment advice. Results are estimates based on the data you enter and do not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Reviewed on Nov 1, 2026

Example: a trip with 4 friends where each paid for part of the expenses.

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What each person pays

Each person’s share of the expenses and, when settling up, how much each has already paid.

Tap the chart to see the values.

By person

Settle up

Who pays whom so everyone is even, with the fewest transfers.

The summary lists your inputs, results, formulas, assumptions and sources. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print dialog, choose Save as PDF.

Method, assumptions and sources

Formulas

Equal shares: share = total ÷ people
By income: share of i = total × income of i ÷ Σ incomes (everyone pays the same % of income)
List: balance of i = Σ paid by i − Σ share of i in each expense; transfers: the largest debtor pays the largest creditor until balances are zero

Assumptions and limits

  • Amounts are shown rounded to cents. The list settles up with at most N − 1 transfers (greedy method); in special cases a solution with one fewer transfer may exist.
  • The income split uses the income entered (gross or take-home, as the group agrees). Transfer fees and currency exchange are not considered.

Official sources and references

Frequently asked questions

What is this calculator for?

Splitting expenses for trips, a shared home or a couple. It splits a total equally or in proportion to income, or, from a list of who paid what, shows how much each person owes and who pays whom so everyone ends up even.

How do I read the example result?

On a trip with 4 friends, expenses add up to $2,000 and each share is $500. Alex paid $1,330 and is owed $830; Dan pays Alex $300, Ben $290 and Chloe $240. That is only 3 transfers.

How does the split by income work?

Each person pays the same percentage of their own income. With incomes of $6,000, $4,500, $5,000 and $3,500 ($19,000 in total), a $2,000 bill is 10.5% of income: Alex pays $631.58, Ben $473.68, Chloe $526.32 and Dan $368.42.

How do I fill in the expense list?

One line per expense with the description, amount and who paid, separated by semicolons. For something only part of the group shared, add a 4th column with names joined by +, for example "Dinner; 120; Alex; Alex+Ben". You can paste straight from a spreadsheet.

Why are so few transfers needed?

The calculator nets everything each person paid and owes and settles only the balances. Matching the largest debtor with the largest creditor, a group of N people is even after at most N − 1 transfers, instead of one payment per expense.

What if a name is spelled differently?

Case and accents are ignored, but "Kate" and "Katie" become two people. Anyone who appears only in the expense list is added automatically and a note shows below the fields. Check the names before sending money.

Can I bring in the total from the road trip calculator?

Yes. In the road trip cost calculator, use "Split the total among the passengers": the total and the number of people arrive here already filled in, in equal-shares mode. You can then switch to the who-paid-what list.

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How to split expenses for a trip, a home or a couple

Splitting bills sounds easy until one person pays for lodging, another for groceries and a third only for gas. There are three common ways to do the math, each suited to a different situation.

Equal shares

Total ÷ number of people. It works for short trips and groups where everyone uses about the same. It is the fastest method, but it can be unfair to whoever used less.

In proportion to income

Each person pays the same percentage of their income. Couples often do this: if one earns $6,000 and the other $4,000 and household bills are $3,000, each pays 30% of what they earn, $1,800 and $1,200, so the bills weigh the same on both.

Who paid what

On a trip, write down every expense and who paid. At the end, compare what each person paid with their share: whoever paid more is owed money. In the example, Alex fronted $1,330 of a $2,000 total; each share is $500, so Alex is owed $830 and the other three settle up with 3 transfers.

Fewer transfers

Instead of everyone paying everyone, the calculator matches those who owe with those who are owed, largest balance first. With N people, at most N − 1 transfers are needed.