The Quick Answer
If you want to know how much to tip at a restaurant, for delivery, at a hotel, or in an Uber, start with the table below. For most sit-down restaurants in the US, the normal tip range is 18-20%.
For sit-down restaurants in the United States:
| Service Quality | Tip Percentage |
|---|---|
| Poor | 10-15% |
| Average | 15-18% |
| Good | 18-20% |
| Excellent | 20-25%+ |
The standard baseline is 18-20%. Anything below 15% signals dissatisfaction.
Calculate Your Tip
If you do not want to do the math in your head, use the tip calculator below to split the bill, include tax, and see the tip amount per person instantly.
Split the bill evenly, factor in tax, and figure out per-person amounts:
Tipping by Situation
Restaurants
| Type | Standard Tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18-20% of pre-tax bill |
| Buffet | 10-15% |
| Takeout | 0-10% (optional, but appreciated) |
| Counter service | $1-2 or 10-15% |
| Fine dining | 20-25% |
| Large party (6+) | 18-20% (often auto-added) |
Tip on the pre-tax amount. If your food was $80 and tax was $7, tip on the $80. Though tipping on the full $87 is increasingly common and simpler.
Bars and Coffee Shops
| Situation | Standard Tip |
|---|---|
| Draft beer / simple drink | $1-2 per drink |
| Cocktail / mixed drink | $2-3 per drink or 20% |
| Tab at end of night | 18-20% |
| Coffee (counter) | $1 or 15-20% |
| Barista (complex order) | $1-2 |
Delivery and Rideshare
| Service | Standard Tip |
|---|---|
| Food delivery | $3-5 minimum or 15-20% |
| Grocery delivery | $5-10 or 15-20% |
| Pizza delivery | $3-5 minimum |
| Uber/Lyft | 15-20% |
| Moving company | $20-50 per mover |
For delivery: The minimum should be $3-5 regardless of order size. Drivers make multiple stops and use their own gas.
Hotels
| Service | Standard Tip |
|---|---|
| Housekeeping | $2-5 per night |
| Bellhop | $1-2 per bag |
| Concierge | $5-20 (for special requests) |
| Valet | $2-5 when car is returned |
| Room service | 18-20% (check if included) |
Housekeeping tip: Leave it daily (different staff may clean each day), on the nightstand with a note so they know it's for them.
Personal Services
| Service | Standard Tip |
|---|---|
| Hair stylist | 15-20% |
| Massage therapist | 15-20% |
| Nail technician | 15-20% |
| Tattoo artist | 15-20% |
| Barber | 15-20% |
How to Calculate Tip in Your Head
The Double-the-Tax Method
In many US states, sales tax is roughly 8-10%. Double the tax for a ~20% tip.
- Bill: $47.00, Tax: $4.00 → Tip: ~$8.00
The Move-the-Decimal Method
- Move the decimal one place left (= 10%)
- Double it (= 20%)
- Bill: $65.00 → 10% = $6.50 → 20% = $13.00
The Round-Up Method
Round the bill to the nearest $10, then take 20%.
- Bill: $73.00 → Round to $75 → 20% = $15.00
Tipping Around the World
Tipping norms vary dramatically by country:
Tip Expected (15-20%)
- United States — Standard 18-20%
- Canada — Standard 15-20%
Tip Appreciated (5-10%)
- United Kingdom — 10-15% at restaurants (not pubs)
- Mexico — 10-15%
- Egypt — 10-15% (called "baksheesh")
- India — 10%
Tip Included in Price
- France — Service compris (included), round up for good service
- Italy — Coperto (cover charge) is common, small tip optional
- Germany — Round up to nearest Euro
- Australia — Not expected, 10% for exceptional service
- Brazil — 10% usually added to bill
Don't Tip
- Japan — Considered rude; excellent service is the standard
- South Korea — Not customary
- China — Not expected (can cause confusion)
When NOT to Tip
- Owner-operated businesses — If the owner personally serves you, tipping is optional
- Self-service — No tip for bagging your own groceries or self-checkout
- Bad service vs. bad food — Tip your server if the food was bad (they didn't cook it). Only reduce for genuinely poor service.
- Auto-gratuity already added — Check your bill; parties of 6+ often have 18% automatically added
The Math of Tipping on Service Workers' Income
In the US, the federal tipped minimum wage is just $2.13/hour. Tips aren't a bonus — they're the majority of a server's income. A server handling 4 tables per hour at $50/table average, with 20% tips, earns $40/hour. At 10%, that drops to $20/hour.
This isn't an argument for or against the tipping system — it's context for understanding what your tip means to the person receiving it.
Key Takeaways
- 18-20% is the standard restaurant tip in the US
- Tip on the pre-tax amount (though post-tax is fine too)
- Quick math: move decimal left, then double = 20%
- Delivery drivers: $3-5 minimum regardless of order size
- Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per night, left daily
- Tipping norms vary wildly by country — research before you travel
- When in doubt, tip 20% — it's simple math and good karma