How Much to Tip: A Complete Guide for Every Situation

Whether you're 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. Here we cover 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, 20% is the new standard. 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 things people get wrong: tip on the pre-tax amount, not after tax. Used a coupon? Tip on the original price. 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 don't need to tip on top of that unless you want to.

Delivery and Takeout Tipping

Delivery drivers: 15-20% of the order with a $5 minimum. They're using their own car, paying for gas, and the app takes a cut of the delivery fee. In bad weather, for late-night orders, or for large orders, tip on the higher end.

Grocery delivery (Instacart, Walmart): same deal, 15-20% with a $5 floor. If someone carried 6 cases of water up to your apartment, tip like you mean it. If the delivery involves stairs, increase the tip accordingly.

Takeout tipping got weird after 2020. It's not as expected as dine-in, but 10-15% has become normal, 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 group bill is where friendships get tested. The right way: calculate tip on the full bill first, then divide the total by the number of people. Don't 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

15-20% for your stylist, barber, or colorist. If you had multiple services (cut, color, blow-dry), tip on the combined total. If different stylists performed different services, it's 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

Hotels have multiple tipping touchpoints. $2-5 per night for housekeeping, placed on the pillow or nightstand with a note so they know it's 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.

Taxi and rideshare: 15-20%. Uber and Lyft let you tip in the app. Actually do it. 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 everything requires a tip, despite what the iPad at the counter suggests. Fast food counters, retail stores, medical offices, government services, and 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.

And check your receipt before tipping -- if there's already a service charge or automatic gratuity included, you don't need to add more on top.

Tipping Around the World

Tipping norms outside the US are completely different, and getting it wrong can be anywhere from awkward to insulting:

Japan: Tipping isn't practiced and can be considered rude. Exceptional service is simply the cultural standard. South Korea: Similar to Japan; tipping isn't 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 isn't expected but a euro or two is appreciated. Australia: Tipping isn't 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

Quick mental math trick: find 10% by moving the decimal one place 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.

Sources

Cornell University School of Hotel Administration: Research on tipping norms and service industry compensation

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.