Customary rates by situation
| Service | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, table service | 18–20% | Of the pre-tax bill |
| Counter service / coffee | 0–10% | Optional; the tip screen is not an obligation |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | Minimum $3–5 on small orders |
| Taxi / rideshare | 10–15% | More for luggage help |
| Bartender | $1–2 per drink | Or 20% on a tab |
| Hair salon / barber | 15–20% | Tip each person who served you |
| Hotel housekeeping | $3–5 per night | Leave daily, not at checkout |
| Hotel porter | $1–2 per bag | Minimum $5 |
| Movers | $20–40 each | Per person, for a full day |
The two-second mental method
Everything anchors on 10%: shift the decimal one place left.
10% of $85 = $8.50
15% = 8.50 + half of 8.50 = $12.75
20% = 8.50 doubled = $17.00
25% = 8.50 doubled + half = $21.25
15% = 8.50 + half of 8.50 = $12.75
20% = 8.50 doubled = $17.00
25% = 8.50 doubled + half = $21.25
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $3.75 | $4.50 | $5.00 | $6.25 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| $85 | $12.75 | $15.30 | $17.00 | $21.25 |
| $120 | $18.00 | $21.60 | $24.00 | $30.00 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
Split a bill and round the total in one tap.Tip calculator →
Splitting without the argument
Two approaches, and they are not equivalent:
- Even split. Total including tip ÷ number of people. A $120 bill with a 20% tip is $144, so four people pay $36 each. Fast, and fair when everyone ate similarly.
- By item. Each person tips the same percentage on what they ordered. Fairer when one person had a $60 steak and another had soup.
The rounding trick: decide the total you want to pay, not the tip. On a $85.40 bill, paying $103 flat is a 20.6% tip and needs no arithmetic at the table.
Tip screens and service charges
Prompted tipping has spread to counters where no table service occurs, and the suggested percentages are often calculated on the post-tax total. Two things worth knowing:
- A service charge on the bill is not the same as a tip, and does not always reach staff. Where a mandatory 18–20% charge appears, additional tipping is genuinely optional.
- Suggested buttons frequently start at 20% and climb. They are defaults, not norms — the custom rate for the service is what matters.
Travelling
US-style tipping is unusual globally. Much of Europe includes service and rounds up or adds 5–10%. In Japan and South Korea tipping is not customary and may be declined. In Australia and New Zealand it is appreciated but not expected. Assume local custom applies rather than exporting your own.
If percentages are the part that slows you down, the underlying percentage math is worth five minutes — it makes discounts and taxes just as fast.
Run your own numbers
FAQ
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
In the US, 18% to 20% of the pre-tax bill is the customary range for standard sit-down table service, with 15% now read as mild dissatisfaction and 25% or more reserved for exceptional service or difficult requests.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Custom is pre-tax, since tax is not part of the service. On a $85 meal with 8% tax the difference between tipping 20% pre-tax and post-tax is about $1.36 — small enough that many people do not bother distinguishing.
How do I quickly calculate a 20% tip?
Move the decimal point one place left to get 10%, then double it. On $85: 10% is $8.50, so 20% is $17. For 15%, take that 10% and add half of it again — $8.50 + $4.25 = $12.75.
Do I still tip if a service charge is already added?
Usually not. If the bill shows a service charge, gratuity or large-party auto-gratuity of 18% to 20%, that is the tip. Additional tipping is optional and reserved for service that genuinely exceeded expectations.
Is tipping expected outside the United States?
Far less so. Much of Europe rounds up or leaves 5% to 10%, and service is often included by law. In Japan and South Korea tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. Tipping norms are local — check before travelling rather than applying US habits abroad.
Sources
Primary references used for the figures and rules on this page.
- Fact Sheet #15: Tipped Employees under the FLSA — U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Bureau of Labor Statistics