Tipping norms vary by service type, and getting them wrong in either direction feels awkward — under-tipping reads as rude, over-tipping can feel performative. Here's a practical breakdown by situation, based on common U.S. convention.
Restaurants
- Table-service restaurant: 18-20% is standard for good service; 15% for adequate service; 20%+ for exceptional service.
- Buffet or self-serve counter with table clearing: 10%, since the labor involved is lighter than full table service.
- Fast casual (order at counter, food brought to table): Optional, typically a few dollars if tipping at all.
Delivery & Rideshare
- Food delivery: 15-20% of the order, with a $3-5 minimum even on small orders, since delivery drivers often cover the same distance regardless of order size.
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): 15-20% is common, more for exceptional service, heavy luggage help, or bad weather.
Bars & Coffee Shops
- Bartender: $1-2 per drink, or 15-20% of the tab if running one.
- Coffee shop counter: Optional; a dollar or leftover change is common but rarely expected for a quick drip coffee order.
Personal Services
- Hair stylist / barber: 15-20% of the service cost.
- Spa treatments (massage, facial): 15-20%, similar to hair services.
- Movers: $20-40 per mover for a typical move, more for large or difficult jobs.
Splitting a Bill Fairly
The fairest way to split a group tip isn't dividing one flat number evenly — that quietly overcharges whoever ordered less and undercharges whoever ordered more. The more accurate approach is for each person to tip a percentage of their own share of the bill, so the tip scales with what each person actually ordered.
Calculating It Instantly
Rather than doing the percentage math (and the splitting math) in your head at the table, our free Tip Calculator handles both — choose a tip percentage, split it between any number of people, tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount, and round each person's share up to the nearest $1 or $5.
FAQ
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total? Etiquette guides generally recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, since sales tax isn't money the server or business actually earned. In practice, many people tip on the post-tax total anyway since it's what the receipt displays first and the difference is usually small — either is broadly accepted, so use whichever your local convention favors.
Is tipping mandatory in the United States? Not legally, but it functions as a strong social expectation, especially in table-service restaurants, where tipped workers are often paid a lower base wage specifically because tips are assumed to make up the difference. Skipping a tip entirely for bad-but-not-terrible service is unusual; a reduced tip (10% instead of 20%) is the more common way to signal dissatisfaction.
How do I split a tip fairly when everyone ordered different amounts? The fairest method is for each person to tip a percentage of their own portion of the bill, rather than splitting a flat total tip evenly — otherwise someone who ordered a salad ends up subsidizing someone else's steak. A bill-splitting calculator that tracks each person's subtotal makes this straightforward without manual math at the table.
Do tipping norms change outside the United States? Significantly. In much of Europe, a modest tip (rounding up or 5-10%) is polite but not expected, since service staff are typically paid a full wage without relying on tips. In Japan, tipping is often considered unusual or even mildly rude in most everyday settings. It's worth checking local norms for wherever you're traveling rather than assuming U.S.-style tipping applies.