Why I built When2Tip

Different countries handle tipping and tax differently. Some prices include tax, some add tax afterwards, and tipping expectations can vary from place to place.

When2Tip is designed as a quick, practical travel tool. Choose a country, pick a calculation mode, select tip and tax percentages, then see the estimated tip, tax and final total.

Guidance, not rules

The app is deliberately worded around guidance rather than rules. Tipping customs can vary by region, venue and service type, and users should always check whether a service charge, gratuity or tax has already been included.

Part of Travel Tools & Tips

When2Tip is one of several small tools and apps created as part of the Travel Tools & Tips project.

The wider project focuses on simple, practical tools that help with everyday decisions, travel planning and useful comparisons.

Professional background

My day job is working in product design and digital product development as Head of Product Design at BroadShield, a company focused on workforce development software.

Projects like When2Tip are personal side projects created independently in my own time. They give me a way to experiment, learn and build small focused tools from start to finish.

Important note

When2Tip and the other apps on Travel Tools & Tips are personal side projects. They are not products of BroadShield, and BroadShield is not responsible for the content, tools or services published on this website.

Free to download apps with no hidden fees

This app has been built as a personal fun project in my own free time to solve a task that I have personally wanted an app for.

I sometimes compare building apps to Lego for grown‑ups as I enjoy the process of building an app up from just an idea, so often when I want an app for something - I've used this as a personal challenge to have some fun building my own app.

In my professional work, we have dedicated teams covering areas such as IT and infrastructure, whereas this project allows me to get back to basics and learn by doing handling everything myself, at my own pace and without any commercial pressures or deadlines.

My focus on this project is to have fun building apps, and hopefully get good reviews and feedback. I want to keep this project a non commercial hobby project, which is why I plan to keep free versions of my apps available to download. Some parts of the website or app may include adverts, but this is mainly to help cover costs such as hosting, development and app store fees.

That same philosophy shapes the wider Travel Tools & Tips project; creating free useful travel and utility tools that are well designed, easy to use and give a good user experience. So I genuinely welcome feedback — both good and bad — to learn what works and what doesn't and help the app evolve and improve over time.