The Quick Answer
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
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