How Much to Tip in the US: Simple Tipping Guide
A plain guide to US tipping: how much to tip at restaurants, for delivery, rideshares, salons and more, plus easy math you can do in your head.
By Muhammad AhmadPublished Last reviewed 9 min read
You finish a nice dinner, the check arrives, and a small panic starts. How much should you tip? Is it 15%? 20%? Do you include the tax? What about the coffee shop screen that asks for 25% before you have even received your latte?
If you have ever stood there doing math with a line of people behind you, you are not alone. Tipping in the United States is confusing, even for people who grew up here, and visitors often find it stressful. This guide gives you clear numbers for the most common situations, plus simple math you can do in your head.
The quick answer
- Sit-down restaurants: 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill, which is the range the Emily Post Institute gives. Many people tip toward 20% for good service.
- Salons and spas: 15% to 20%. Food delivery: 10% to 15% of the bill, and more in bad weather or on small orders.
- Counter service and coffee shops: optional.
- Tipping is a custom, not a law. But in many jobs it is a big part of the worker's pay.
Why do Americans tip?
In the U.S., many service workers are paid a low base wage because tips are expected to make up the rest. Under federal law, an employer can pay a tipped worker a cash wage as low as $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring the total up to at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Many states set higher minimums. In practice, this means that a server's income depends heavily on tips, so your tip is not an extra. It is a big part of their pay.
Restaurants: how much to tip
The Emily Post Institute, a widely used etiquette authority, gives 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill for sit-down table service. The table below is one way to place yourself inside that range, and what to do when service falls short.
| Service | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Poor service (a real problem, not a small delay) | 10% or talk to a manager |
| Fine, normal service | 15% to 18% |
| Good service | 18% to 20% |
| Great service | 20% or more |
Other restaurant situations:
- Large groups. Many places add an automatic gratuity for large parties. Look at the bill, so you do not tip twice.
- Buffets. About 10%, since the server mostly brings drinks and clears plates.
- Takeout. Optional. 10% is nice if the order was big or complicated.
- Bar. $1 to $2 per drink, or 15% to 20% of the tab.
Do you tip on tax?
This is one of the most common questions. The Emily Post Institute bases its restaurant range on the pre-tax bill. Many people tip on the full total because it is easier, and the difference is small: at an 8% tax, a 20% tip on the tax is about 1.6% of the pre-tax bill. If the bill includes a big tax or a very expensive bottle of wine, use the pre-tax subtotal.
Easy tip math you can do in your head
Try it on a bill of $84.50:
- Find 10%. Move the decimal point one place: $8.45.
- For 20%, double it: $16.90.
- For 15%, add half of the 10%: $8.45 + $4.23 = $12.68.
- Round up to a friendly number: $13 or $17.
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $3.75 | $4.50 | $5.00 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 |
| $84.50 | $12.68 | $15.21 | $16.90 |
| $120 | $18.00 | $21.60 | $24.00 |
If you are splitting with friends, our tip calculator works out the tip and each person's share. For example, $84.50 with a 20% tip is $101.40, or $25.35 each for four people.
Who to tip and how much: a quick table
These are the ranges the Emily Post Institute gives. They are customs, not rules. Regional customs vary, and your own budget is always a factor. For services not listed here, such as rideshare, tours or tattoos, there is no official standard, so follow local custom or ask the business.
| Who | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Food delivery driver | 10% to 15% of the bill. Many people give more in bad weather, over long distances or on small orders. |
| Hairdresser or barber | 15% to 20% of the service price, whether or not the stylist owns the shop |
| Manicure or pedicure | 15% to 20% |
| Massage, facial or waxing | 15% to 20% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2 to $5 per day |
| Hotel bellhop | $2 for the first bag and $1 for each extra bag |
| Valet | $2 to $5 when your car is brought back |
| Coffee shop or counter | Optional |
What about tip screens and "tipping fatigue"?
Many card readers now ask for a tip at places that never used to ask, like coffee shops and takeout counters. These screens often suggest high percentages. You are free to choose "custom" or "no tip". A good habit: tip well where someone gives you real, hands-on service, and feel free to skip or keep it small where nobody did much for you. The goal is fairness, not guilt.
Tipping when you are not sure
- Ask yourself: did a person spend time and effort for me? If yes, tip.
- Check the bill for service charges or included gratuity before adding more.
- Tip the owner too. The Emily Post Institute advises tipping a stylist whether or not they own the salon.
- Cash is appreciated for people who are paid in tips, but a card tip is fine too.
- If something went wrong, talk to the manager. Do not take it out on a server who did not cause it.
For people who earn tips
If tips are part of your income, keep a daily record. Tips are taxable income, and they must be reported. Tips of $20 or more in a month need to be reported to your employer, and the rest is reported on your tax return. A 2025 tax law added a deduction for tips for certain workers through 2028, with limits. Read our guide to how to read your paycheck to see how your pay is taxed, and check the IRS page on tip income for the rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much should you tip at a restaurant in the US?
The Emily Post Institute gives 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill. Many people choose 18% to 20% for good service and tip more for excellent service.
Do you tip on tax?
You can do either. The Emily Post Institute bases tips on the pre-tax amount, but many people tip on the full total. The difference is usually a dollar or two.
Is 15% still an acceptable tip?
Yes, 15% is inside the Emily Post Institute range of 15% to 20%, so it is a fair tip for ordinary service. If service was good, many diners go to 18% or 20%.
How much should I tip a hairdresser?
15% to 20% of the service price. If several people worked on you, the Emily Post Institute says to divide the tip among them according to their part.
How much should I tip a food delivery driver?
The Emily Post Institute suggests 10% to 15% of the bill. Many people give more for bad weather, a long distance or a small order.
Do you tip at fast food or counter service?
No, it is not expected. A small tip is a kind gesture for a big or special order, but you never have to.
The bottom line
Tip 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill at a sit-down restaurant, 15% to 20% for salon and spa services, and use your judgment where service is minimal. Do the quick 10% trick, and let the calculator handle the splits. Being thoughtful matters more than being exact. For official facts about tipped wages, see the Department of Labor's fact sheet on tipped employees.
Sources
- Tipping etiquette 101: a comprehensive guide on tipping, The Emily Post Institute
- Fact sheet #15: tipped employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
- Topic no. 761, Tips: withholding and reporting, Internal Revenue Service
- Publication 531, Reporting Tip Income, Internal Revenue Service
- One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act: tax deductions for working Americans and seniors (no tax on tips), Internal Revenue Service
Tipping amounts are customs, not rules, and they vary by region and business. Where this guide gives no number, there is no official standard. The tip math is calculated by script. Last reviewed October 13, 2026.
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