Custom Amount Payment via QR: Complete Guide

A custom amount payment means each guest decides for themselves exactly how much of the bill they settle, regardless of what everyone else does. With a QR payment, the guest scans the code on the table, sees the live bill, and picks their own amount: precisely their own consumption, a round number to keep it simple, or a little extra to chip in. No mental maths, no payment-request apps, no juggling multiple cards.

Sound familiar? A big group on a Friday night, everyone wants to pay differently, and your staff is stuck at table 12. That is solvable without hiring extra people. In this guide you will read exactly how paying a custom amount works, when to use it alongside splitting per item and splitting equally, and what it delivers in speed, tips, and calm. You get concrete steps, a real-world example, and answers to the questions hospitality owners actually ask.

What paying a custom amount means

Paying a custom amount is the payment option where the guest fills in the amount they want to settle. Not the system, not the staff, but the guest decides. That sounds simple, but it solves one of the most annoying moments in hospitality: the maths at the table.

Picture this: four friends have eaten, but one only had a salad and two glasses of water. Splitting equally means that person pays too much. Splitting per item takes a while. With a custom amount they simply type in what they want to pay and they are done. The rest of the table then settles the remainder.

With Splitty this is a fixed choice in the payment menu. The guest scans the QR code, sees the live bill from your POS system, and picks how they want to pay. A custom amount concretely means:

• The guest decides for themselves how much they pay
• Ideal for rounding up
• Handy when someone ate less but still wants to contribute
• Perfect for adding extra tip on top
• The outstanding amount automatically drops as they pay

This flexibility is exactly what modern dining groups expect. Guests have grown used to paying on their own phone, and a custom amount fits that behaviour seamlessly.

Why splitting the bill in restaurants costs so much time

Splitting the bill in a restaurant costs time because it happens manually. Your staff walks back and forth with the card machine, waits out discussions at the table, and counts amounts themselves. On a quiet Tuesday that is fine. On a busy Saturday night it is a bottleneck.

You know the classic ritual: multiple cards, someone who is not quite sure, the question "who had the dessert again?" and a server who is being called away to three other tables at the same time. Every minute your team spends settling a bill is a minute not spent on hospitality.

The costs of slow payment stack up:

• Longer wait times during peak hours, exactly when you cannot afford them
• Slow table turnover, which means fewer covers per evening
• Higher workload for your staff, causing stress and mistakes
• Calculation errors when splitting amounts by hand
• Unhappy guests who just want to pay and leave

The real problem is not the splitting itself. It is that the splitting lands on your staff's shoulders. The moment you shift it to the guest, the bottleneck disappears. You can read more about how to streamline that payment moment in our guide on the complete digital journey from order to payment.

The 3 ways to split a bill via QR

There are three ways to split a bill via QR, and each guest chooses which one suits their situation. That is the power: no fixed method, but flexibility at the table. Below we lay them out.

1. Splitting per item

The guest selects only their own dishes and drinks and settles those directly. Splitty automatically pulls all outstanding items from the table out of your POS. Who had what becomes instantly clear.

This method works best when everyone wants to pay exactly for their own consumption. Business lunches, dates, and groups where the amounts vary widely often go for this. It prevents the discussion of "but you had two wines and I had one".

2. Splitting the bill equally

Does the whole table just want to split it? With one tap Splitty divides the total fairly across the number of people. No maths, no discussion.

Splitting equally is ideal for groups of friends who ordered roughly the same and do not want to make it complicated. Speed over precision. Within seconds everyone's share is known.

3. Paying a custom amount

The third option is the custom amount. The guest types in what they want to settle. This is the most flexible choice and fills the gaps the other two methods leave.

Think of the situation where someone ate less but still wants to contribute something. Or someone who rounds the amount up as a thank you. Or the guest who says: "I'll put in a bit extra, you pay the rest." A custom amount makes all of that possible without your staff getting involved.

When to choose a custom amount

You choose a custom amount when the bill does not fit neatly into equal shares or separate items. In practice that happens more often than you think. Groups are rarely exactly equal, and those grey areas cost your staff the most time.

A custom amount is the answer in these situations:

• Rounding up. Someone wants zero fuss and pays a round number.
• Unequal consumption. One person ate lightly, does not want to pay the full split, but also does not want to puzzle over items.
• Someone treats partially. The birthday person pays a bigger chunk, the rest divide the remainder.
• Extra tip. The guest deliberately puts down more than their share as appreciation for the team.
• Business and private mixed. A guest pays their own share plus a bit of a colleague's.

The great thing is that the outstanding amount automatically drops as soon as someone settles a custom amount. The next guest sees straight away what is left. This way the table works together towards zero, without anyone having to do the maths.

This freedom matches how guests want to pay these days. Cash has nearly vanished and people are used to settling up on their own phone. You can read more about that shift in our piece on the future of contactless payment in hospitality.

How paying your own amount works step by step

Paying your own amount via QR works in four simple steps, without an app and without an account. The guest only needs their phone. Here is what the process looks like at the table:

1. Scanning. The guest scans the QR code on the table, coaster, or stand. The web app opens directly in the browser, no download needed.
2. Viewing the bill. Splitty shows the live bill from your POS system. Every outstanding item is there, current and complete.
3. Choosing an amount. The guest picks "custom amount" and types in what they want to settle. They can add a tip if they like.
4. Paying. Payment happens via iDEAL, Apple Pay, or credit card. The guest receives a digital receipt and the outstanding amount at the table drops automatically.

The whole process takes an average of 15 seconds per guest. Compare that with the minutes manual splitting costs and you understand why tables free up faster.

Important: Splitty prevents double payments. As soon as an amount or item is settled, it disappears from the other guests' overview. Are two people paying at the same time? Then the system keeps everything consistent. Your staff sees exactly what has been paid in the dashboard.

And nobody is obliged. Does a guest prefer cash or the card machine? That is perfectly fine. A custom amount via QR is an extra option for convenience, not a requirement.

What a custom amount delivers for your venue

Paying a custom amount delivers direct gains in time, revenue, and job satisfaction. The figures from venues working with Splitty show this. Here is what it does concretely:

• Paying in 15 seconds instead of waiting for minutes. Guests pay when they are ready, not when the staff has time.
• Tables free up an average of 15 minutes faster. That means more covers per evening without extra staff.
• An average of 5x more tips thanks to smart tip suggestions at checkout.
• Lower workload for your staff, who no longer haul the card machine back and forth.
• Up to 7x more Google reviews because satisfied guests are automatically asked for a review after paying.

There is a subtler effect at play too. When guests set their own amount, they feel in control. They are less hesitant about that extra drink or dessert, because they know they only pay for their own choices. That is good for the average spend per guest.

On average a venue with Splitty processes around 450 transactions per month. Every transaction your staff does not have to handle manually is time that goes back into service. Want to know how this translates to your revenue? Check out our tips to improve the guest experience with smart payment solutions.

Custom amount and tips: a smart combination

A custom amount and digital tipping reinforce each other. The moment a guest fills in their own amount, the step to something extra is small. At checkout Splitty shows smart tip suggestions: a fixed percentage or a custom amount. No obligation and no social pressure.

That works. Venues that settle up with Splitty see an average of 5x more tips for their team. The reason is simple: with cash or card, tips often get left out because it is a hassle. Digitally it is a tap on the screen.

The combination is especially strong in these cases:

• A guest rounds their custom amount up, with the difference counting as tip
• A satisfied table deliberately puts down a bit extra on top of their own split
• International guests tip more easily through a familiar digital flow

More tips means happier staff and less turnover, a big advantage in times of staff shortages. Want to dig deeper into this? Read our step-by-step plan to increase tips in your restaurant with proven advice.

QR payment in restaurants and the link with your POS

QR payment in your restaurant only works well if it links seamlessly with your POS. Otherwise you get loose payments you still have to match by hand. Splitty pulls the bill directly from your POS system and processes the payment back into it straight away.

That means no double work, fewer mistakes, and clean bookkeeping. Your staff sees in real time what has been paid in the dashboard, per item or per custom amount. Splitty connects with the most-used POS systems in hospitality:

• Lightspeed. Read how the Lightspeed integration enables faster checkout.
• unTill. See how to connect your unTill POS to Splitty for faster checkout.
• Vectron. Discover the Vectron integration for faster checkout with Splitty.
• MplusKASSA. Read our MplusKASSA integration guide for faster checkout.

Don't see your POS listed? Splitty regularly adds new integrations. Not sure which system suits your venue best? Our complete guide to choosing a hospitality payment system will point you in the right direction.

No extra hardware needed. Splitty works with QR holders and your existing POS. Plug-and-play, without complicated installation.

Real-world example: a busy terrace on Saturday

A recognisable situation shows best what a custom amount does. No made-up names, just a scenario every terrace operator knows.

Situation. Picture a sunny terrace with 40 tables on a Saturday afternoon. Around 5 pm everyone wants to pay and leave at the same time. At one big table sits a group of eight: some ate extensively, two only drank coffee, and the organiser wants to take on part of the bill.

Problem. With the traditional approach your staff grinds to a halt. Multiple cards, discussions over who had what, and the organiser trying to work out what they should chip in. Meanwhile three other tables are waiting for their bill and the queue at the entrance is growing. Every minute at that one table costs covers.

Solution. The group scans the QR code on the table. The coffee drinkers settle their own items. A couple of guests choose splitting per item. The organiser uses a custom amount and pays a bigger chunk plus tip. The outstanding amount drops automatically with every payment, until the table hits zero. Your staff only needs to clear up.

Result. The table is settled in a fraction of the usual time. On average tables free up 15 minutes faster, which on a busy terrace directly delivers extra covers. The team received tips through the digital suggestions, and satisfied guests were asked for a Google review after paying. More revenue from the same tables, without extra staff.

Implementation: live faster than you think

Implementing Splitty is simpler than most owners think. You do not have to switch to a new POS system and there is no complicated installation involved. The onboarding is personal and fully taken care of.

Here is what the process looks like:

1. Introduction and setup. A short appointment with you as the owner. We create your account, help with the Stripe connection for payouts, and note down your table numbers.
2. Custom QR holders. We design and deliver QR holders in your own style and branding. From stickers and coasters to table stands.
3. Staff training. A short instruction session so your team knows exactly how everything works on the floor.
4. Live. Your venue settles up with QR, including the option for a custom amount.

On the pricing model we are clear: no fixed monthly costs, you only pay per transaction. Payouts run through Stripe, weekly or monthly, straight to your account. All in line with GDPR and PCI DSS.

Want to calmly compare what is on the market first? Our complete guide to hospitality software and the overview of the best POS systems for hospitality give you a solid starting point. Ready to see what it means for your venue? Feel free to get in touch.

Summary

• Paying a custom amount means the guest decides for themselves how much of the bill they settle via QR.
• Splitty offers three ways to split: per item, split equally, and a custom amount.
• A custom amount is ideal for unequal consumption, rounding up, partial treating, and extra tips.
• The outstanding amount drops automatically, so the table works together towards zero.
• Guests pay in an average of 15 seconds, without an app and without an account.
• Venues with Splitty see an average of 5x more tips, tables free up 15 minutes faster, and up to 7x more Google reviews.
• Splitty connects with Lightspeed, unTill, Vectron, and MplusKASSA, without extra hardware.
• Implementation is plug-and-play, with personal onboarding and no fixed monthly costs.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is paying a custom amount?

Paying a custom amount is the option where the guest fills in the amount they settle themselves, instead of the system calculating it for them. They scan the QR code on the table, see the live bill, and type in the amount they want to pay. That could be their own consumption, a round number to round up, or a bigger chunk if they treat partially. The outstanding amount at the table drops automatically with what they pay, so the rest of the group can settle the remainder. It is the most flexible of the three split options.

How does splitting the bill in a restaurant work with QR?

Splitting the bill in a restaurant with QR works because each guest scans the code on the table and sees the live bill from your POS system. The guest then chooses how they want to pay: only their own items, an equally split share, or a custom amount. Payment goes via iDEAL, Apple Pay, or credit card and is processed directly into your POS. Splitty prevents double payments by immediately removing settled items and amounts from the overview. This way everyone pays their share without your staff having to do maths or walk back and forth with the card machine.

Do guests need an app to pay a custom amount?

No. Splitty is a web app that opens in the guest's browser as soon as they scan the QR code. There is no download and no account needed. That keeps the barrier low, also for international guests or people who do not like installing apps. Within seconds the live bill is on screen and the guest can choose a custom amount and pay. It is built that way on purpose: the fewer steps, the faster your tables free up.

What happens if not everyone pays enough?

The outstanding amount always stays visible and only drops with what has actually been settled. As long as the bill is not fully paid, the next guest sees exactly what is still owed. This way the table works together towards zero. Should something remain outstanding, your staff sees that immediately in the dashboard and can close the bill as usual. Splitty works alongside your POS, so you always keep control over open tables.

Can a guest give an extra tip with a custom amount?

Yes, and it happens very naturally. At checkout Splitty shows smart tip suggestions, a fixed percentage or a custom amount. A guest can round their custom amount up or deliberately put down a bit extra as appreciation. Digital tipping lowers the barrier: it is a tap on the screen instead of digging for cash. Venues working with Splitty see an average of 5x more tips for their team. That is good for your staff and helps reduce turnover.

Does a custom amount work for large groups too?

Absolutely, that is where it shines most. Large groups are almost never exactly equal, and that is precisely where manual splitting costs the most time. With a custom amount, everyone settles what suits them: some choose per item, others split equally, and one person may cover a bigger chunk. The outstanding amount drops with every payment until the table reaches zero. Your staff only needs to keep an eye on the dashboard and clear up when everything is paid.

Can staff still close a bill the normal way?

Yes. Splitty works alongside your POS system, not instead of it. Your staff can still manage or close bills manually as usual. If a guest prefers to pay cash or with the card machine, that is entirely possible. Splitty is an extra option for convenience, so you never lose control over your tables. In the dashboard your team sees in real time which tables have been settled and which are still open.

Which payment methods can guests use for a custom amount?

Guests pay a custom amount via iDEAL, Apple Pay, or credit card. After payment they receive a digital receipt with an overview of what they settled. Payouts to you as the owner run through Stripe, one of the largest and safest payment providers in the world. You choose whether you get paid weekly or monthly, straight to your account. Everything is handled in line with GDPR and PCI DSS, so both your guests' and your own data stay secure.

Does a custom amount work with my POS system?

Splitty connects with the most-used POS systems in hospitality: Lightspeed, unTill, Vectron, and MplusKASSA. The bill is pulled directly from your POS, and the payment, including the custom amount, is processed back into it. That prevents double work and errors in your bookkeeping. Don't see your POS listed? Splitty regularly adds new integrations. Feel free to ask whether your system can be connected via our contact page.

How quickly can I start using custom amount payments?

Faster than most owners expect. The onboarding is personal and fully taken care of. It starts with a short appointment where we create your account and set up the Stripe connection. Then we design and deliver your custom QR holders, followed by a brief staff training. After that your venue is live and settles up with QR, including the custom amount option. There is no complicated installation and you do not need extra hardware, because Splitty works with your existing POS.

Compiled by Team Splitty, this article is based on official documentation from payment providers, industry research, and hands-on experience within hospitality.