Tipping norms in the United States
For sit-down restaurant service, 18% to 20% is the current standard, with 15% now read as below average and 25% or more as generous. Rates rose noticeably through the 2010s and 2020s, so older guidance suggesting 15% as normal is out of date.
Other services have their own conventions: 15% to 20% for taxis and rideshares, $1 to $2 per drink or 20% at a bar, 15% to 20% for hair and beauty services, $2 to $5 per bag for hotel porters, and 10% to 15% for food delivery with a $3 to $5 minimum on small orders. Counter service and takeout carry no obligation, though tip jars are common.
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% | Total at 20% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20.00 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 | $24.00 |
| $35.00 | $5.25 | $6.30 | $7.00 | $8.75 | $42.00 |
| $50.00 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $12.50 | $60.00 |
| $75.00 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 | $18.75 | $90.00 |
| $100.00 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $120.00 |
| $150.00 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 | $37.50 | $180.00 |
| $200.00 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 | $240.00 |
Pre-tax or post-tax, and what a service charge means
Either basis is acceptable. Tipping on the pre-tax subtotal is technically the convention, since tax is not part of the service, but the difference on a typical bill is small — around $1.50 on a $100 bill at 8% tax and a 20% tip. Many people tip on the total for simplicity.
An automatic gratuity or service charge, common for large parties, replaces the tip entirely; tipping on top is optional. Read the bill carefully, because an included service charge plus a suggested tip line can lead to accidental double tipping. Note also that a service charge is legally the restaurant's revenue, and unlike a tip it need not be distributed to staff.
Why tipping exists in the US
US federal law permits a tipped minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, far below the standard minimum, on the assumption that tips make up the difference. Employers must cover any shortfall, but enforcement is inconsistent, which is why tipping is treated as a wage obligation rather than a discretionary reward in much of the American service industry.
Several states have eliminated the tipped wage and require the full minimum before tips. This is also why tipping norms differ so sharply abroad: in most of Europe, Japan, and Australia, service staff receive a full wage, and tipping is modest rounding or absent entirely. In Japan it can be considered awkward.
| Country or region | Typical tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 15 – 25% | Expected; part of servers' wages |
| Canada | 15 – 20% | Similar to the US |
| United Kingdom | 10 – 12.5% | Often added as a service charge; check the bill |
| France, Spain, Italy | Round up or 5 – 10% | Service is included by law in France (service compris) |
| Germany, Austria | 5 – 10% | Say the total you want to pay when handing over cash |
| Nordic countries | Round up | Optional; staff are fully paid |
| Japan | None | Can be seen as impolite; excellent service is standard |
| China | None | Not customary except in high-end hotels |
| Australia, New Zealand | Optional, 0 – 10% | Uncommon; staff earn a full wage |
| Mexico | 10 – 15% | Expected in restaurants; cash preferred |
| Brazil | 10% | Usually added to the bill as a service charge |
| Middle East | 10 – 15% | Varies; service charge often included in hotels |
Splitting a bill fairly
An even split is simplest and works when orders were comparable. When they were not — one person had a $12 salad and another a $60 steak with wine — proportional splitting is fairer: each person's share of the subtotal determines their share of tax and tip.
For groups, one person paying the whole bill and being reimbursed is usually faster than splitting the payment across many cards, which slows service and complicates the restaurant's accounting. Splitting the tip evenly while itemizing the food is a reasonable middle ground, since service is provided to the table rather than per dish.
How much to tip for each service
Restaurant norms are the best known, but tipping extends to a long list of services with their own conventions. These reflect current US practice; regional habits vary, and any figure is a guide rather than a rule.
| Service | Customary tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, table service | 18 – 20% | 15% reads as below average; 25% for exceptional service |
| Bartender | $1 – $2 per drink, or 20% | Per drink for simple orders, percentage for a tab |
| Food delivery | 10 – 15%, minimum $3 – $5 | More in bad weather or for a long drive |
| Taxi or rideshare | 15 – 20% | Round up for short trips |
| Hair, nails, spa | 15 – 20% | Tip the person who did the work |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2 – $5 per night | Leave it daily; staff rotate |
| Hotel porter | $2 – $5 per bag | |
| Valet | $2 – $5 | When the car is returned |
| Movers | $20 – $50 per mover | Or 5 – 10% of the bill for a large move |
| Coffee or counter service | Optional; $1 or 10% | No obligation |
| Buffet | 10% | Staff still clear and refill |
| Takeout | Optional | Tipping is a courtesy, not expected |