Tipping Etiquette Guide: How Much to Tip in Every Situation

Tipping can feel confusing, especially when you are eating at a new type of restaurant or traveling abroad. This guide covers standard tipping percentages for every common situation in the United States, plus a few notes on international customs.

Restaurant Tipping: The Basics

In the United States, the standard tip at a sit-down restaurant is 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill. Here is how to think about it:

• 15% — adequate service. This is considered the minimum for table service.
• 18% — good service. A solid default if you had a pleasant experience.
• 20% or more — excellent service. If your server went above and beyond, 20% or higher is a generous way to show appreciation.

For large parties (typically 6 or more), many restaurants automatically add an 18% gratuity. Check your bill before adding an extra tip on top. Our Tip Calculator makes it easy to figure out exact amounts and split the bill.

Bar and Coffee Shop Tipping

At a bar, the general rule is $1 to $2 per drink for simple orders like a beer or glass of wine, or 15% to 20% of the tab for cocktails or a running tab. For coffee shops, tipping is not mandatory, but rounding up or leaving $1 per drink is appreciated, especially for complex orders.

Food Delivery and Takeout

For food delivery, tip 15% to 20% of the order total, with a minimum of $3 to $5 regardless of order size. If the weather is bad, the distance is far, or the order is large, consider tipping on the higher end. For takeout from a restaurant where you pick up the food yourself, tipping is optional but a small amount (10% or a few dollars) is a kind gesture, since staff still package your order.

Hair Salons and Barbershops

The standard tip for hairstylists, barbers, and colorists is 15% to 20% of the service total. If someone else washes your hair, a $3 to $5 tip is customary for the shampoo assistant. For spa services like massages or facials, 15% to 20% is also the norm.

Hotel Tipping

Hotels have several tipping points to keep in mind:

• Housekeeping: $2 to $5 per night, left daily (not just at checkout, since different staff may clean your room on different days).
• Bellhop: $1 to $2 per bag, or $5 if they help with a lot of luggage.
• Concierge: $5 to $20 depending on the complexity of the request (restaurant reservations, tickets, etc.).
• Valet: $2 to $5 when your car is returned.
• Room service: Check whether a gratuity is already included on the bill. If not, 15% to 20%.

Rideshare and Taxi Tipping

For taxis and rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, tip 15% to 20% of the fare. Most rideshare apps make it easy to add a tip after the ride. For shorter rides, a minimum of $2 to $3 is a reasonable baseline.

Other Services

• Movers: $20 to $50 per mover for a full-day move, or 15% to 20% of the total bill.
• Grocery delivery: 10% to 15%, or a minimum of $5.
• Pet groomer: 15% to 20% of the grooming fee.
• Tattoo artist: 15% to 25% of the session cost.

International Tipping Customs

Tipping norms vary dramatically around the world. Here is a quick overview:

• Japan: Tipping is generally not practiced and can even be considered rude. Service charges are included in the price.
• United Kingdom: A 10% to 12.5% service charge is often added to restaurant bills. If not, a 10% tip is standard.
• France: Service is included in the bill by law (service compris). Leaving a few euros for exceptional service is appreciated but not expected.
• Germany: Round up to the nearest euro or add 5% to 10%. Tell the server the total amount you want to pay when handing over cash.
• Mexico: 10% to 15% is standard at restaurants.
• Australia: Tipping is not expected but appreciated. 10% for great service at restaurants.

General Tipping Tips

• Always tip on the pre-tax amount of the bill.
• If you receive poor service, consider speaking to a manager rather than leaving no tip — servers often rely on tips as a significant part of their income.
• When in doubt, 20% is a safe and generous default for most situations in the US.
• Use our Tip Calculator or Bill Splitter to quickly figure out exact amounts.