How Much to Tip: A Complete Guide for Every Situation

Whether you are eating at a restaurant, getting a haircut, ordering delivery, or staying at a hotel, the question is always the same: how much should I tip? Tipping customs in the United States can feel confusing, especially when different services expect different amounts. This guide covers every common tipping scenario with specific percentages so you never have to guess.

The Quick Reference Table

Here is a summary of standard tipping percentages in the United States. These apply to the pre-tax bill amount unless noted otherwise.

Restaurant Tipping: The Complete Breakdown

At sit-down restaurants in the United States, 20% of the pre-tax bill has become the standard for good service. This represents a shift from the 15% norm that prevailed for decades. For exceptional service, 25% or more is appropriate. For genuinely poor service (not just a slow kitchen), 10-15% sends a message without completely stiffing a worker who depends on tips.

A few important details: tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total after tax. If you used a coupon or gift card, tip on the original price before the discount. For large parties of six or more, check if gratuity was already added to the bill. Many restaurants automatically include 18-20% for large groups, and you do not need to tip on top of that unless you want to.

Delivery and Takeout Tipping

Food delivery tips should be 15-20% of the order total with a minimum of $5. Drivers use their own vehicles, pay for their own gas, and often receive only a fraction of the delivery fee charged by the app. In bad weather, for late-night orders, or for large orders, tip on the higher end.

Grocery delivery (Instacart, Walmart, etc.) follows the same guidelines: 15-20% with a $5 minimum. If your order includes heavy items like cases of water or the delivery involves stairs, increase the tip accordingly.

Takeout tipping has changed significantly since 2020. While it is not as firmly expected as dine-in tipping, a 10-15% tip is now considered a polite gesture, especially for large or complex orders. The staff who assemble, check, and package your order appreciate it.

How to Tip on a Group Bill

Splitting a bill among friends adds a layer of complexity. The fairest approach: calculate the tip on the full bill first, then divide the total (bill + tip) by the number of people. Do not calculate individual tips on individual meal costs, as rounding errors add up and the server often ends up short.

For example, if four friends share a $200 dinner and want to tip 20%, the tip is $40. The total is $240, and each person pays $60. This is exactly what our Split the Bill Calculator does automatically.

Tipping Your Hairdresser, Barber, or Stylist

Hair professionals typically receive 15-20% of the total service cost. If you had multiple services (cut, color, blow-dry), tip on the combined total. If different stylists performed different services, it is appropriate to tip each one individually based on their portion. Traditionally, salon owners were not tipped, but that norm has shifted. Most industry professionals now say tipping the owner is both welcome and expected.

Hotel and Travel Tipping

Hotel tipping involves several different staff members. Leave $2-5 per night for housekeeping, placed on the pillow or nightstand with a note so they know it is for them. Leave the tip daily rather than at checkout because different housekeepers may clean your room on different days. Bellhops typically receive $1-2 per bag. Concierges who make reservations or provide special assistance receive $5-20 depending on the complexity of the request. Room service usually includes a gratuity in the bill; check before adding more.

For taxi and rideshare drivers, 15-20% of the fare is standard. Most ride-hailing apps (Uber, Lyft) allow you to tip through the app after the ride. For shuttle drivers at airports or hotels, $1-2 per person or $5 for a private ride is customary.

When You Do Not Need to Tip

Not every transaction requires a tip. You generally do not tip at fast-food counters, retail stores, medical offices, government offices, or for professional services like accounting or legal work. The point-of-sale tablet prompts that ask for 20-25% at counter-service locations are suggestions, not obligations. Tipping at these locations is entirely optional and at your discretion.

You also do not need to tip when a service charge or automatic gratuity is already included in the bill. Check the receipt carefully before adding extra.

Tipping Around the World

Tipping customs vary dramatically by country, and getting it wrong can range from mildly awkward to genuinely offensive:

Japan: Tipping is not practiced and can be considered rude. Exceptional service is simply the cultural standard. South Korea: Similar to Japan; tipping is not expected and may cause confusion. China: Tipping is generally not expected at local restaurants but may be accepted at international hotels. United Kingdom: 10-12.5% at restaurants if no service charge is included. Many restaurants add a discretionary service charge. France: Service is included in the bill by law (service compris). Leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated but not required. Germany: Round up to the nearest euro or add 5-10%. Tell the server how much you want to pay rather than leaving money on the table. Italy: A small coperto (cover charge) is usually added to the bill. Additional tipping is not expected but a euro or two is appreciated. Australia: Tipping is not expected but 10% is appreciated for excellent service at restaurants. Canada: Follows the same conventions as the United States at 15-20%. Mexico: 10-15% at restaurants is standard.

The Math: How to Calculate a Tip in Your Head

If you do not have a calculator handy, there is a simple mental math shortcut. Find 10% of the bill by moving the decimal point one place to the left. For a $65 bill, 10% is $6.50. Double that for 20% ($13) or add half for 15% ($9.75). This gets you close enough without pulling out your phone.

Or just use our Tip Calculator and skip the mental math entirely.

Related Tools

Calculate your tip instantly with the Tip Calculator, divide any bill with the Split the Bill Calculator, or figure out the best deal with the Discount Calculator.