How Much Should You Tip? A Practical Guide
How much to tip at restaurants, bars, salons, rideshares, delivery and hotels — typical U.S. ranges, tipping before or after tax, and quick ways to do the math.
The short version
- At a sit-down restaurant, 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill is standard, with 20% or more for great service.
- Delivery and rideshares generally get 15% to 20%; counter service and takeout tips are optional.
- Tipping on the pre-tax amount is the etiquette standard — the difference is usually a dollar or two.
- For a quick 20%, move the decimal one place left and double it.
- Check for an included service charge before adding a tip on large-party bills.
Tipping in the U.S. isn’t set by law — it’s custom, and the custom keeps shifting. The ranges below reflect common etiquette guidance. They’re a starting point, not a rule: tip more for great service, and use your judgment when a tip screen appears where you never used to tip.
Why tips matter more than they seem
Under federal law, employers can pay tipped workers a cash wage as low as $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring them up to the full minimum wage. Many states require more, but for servers and bartenders in much of the country, tips are most of their pay — not a bonus on top of it.
How much to tip, by situation
| Situation | Common tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 15%–20% of the pre-tax bill; 20%+ for excellent service |
| Bartender | $1–$2 per drink, or 15%–20% of the tab |
| Food delivery | 15%–20%, with a few dollars minimum for small orders |
| Takeout or counter service | Optional; up to 10% for large or complicated orders |
| Coffee shop | Optional; $1 or spare change is common |
| Hair salon or barber | 15%–20% of the service |
| Taxi or rideshare | 15%–20% of the fare |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–$5 per night, left daily |
| Valet parking | $2–$5 when your car is returned |
Should you tip before or after tax?
Etiquette guides say to tip on the pre-tax amount, since the tax isn’t part of the service. In practice the gap is small. On an $85.95 check that includes $6.95 of tax, a 20% tip is $15.80 on the pre-tax $79 and $17.19 on the total — a $1.39 difference. Tipping on the total is simpler and no one will mind the extra.
Fast tip math
- 10%: move the decimal one place left. 10% of $64 is $6.40.
- 20%: double the 10% figure. 20% of $64 is $12.80.
- 15%: add half of the 10% figure. $6.40 + $3.20 = $9.60.
- 18%: 20% minus 2%. $12.80 − $1.28 = $11.52.
These shortcuts are the same percentage formulas behind every discount and raise — once you can find 10% in your head, the rest follows.
Splitting the check
Add the tip to the bill first, then divide by the number of people. A $150 bill with a 20% tip comes to $180, or $45 each for four. Rounding each share up to the next dollar keeps it simple and errs on the generous side.
Look for an included service charge
Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity — often around 18% — for larger parties, and some add a service charge to every bill. Read the check before tipping so you don’t pay twice. A service charge doesn’t always go to your server, so ask if you’re unsure.
If you earn tips
For tax years 2025 through 2028, workers in tipped occupations can deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips from federal taxable income. Social Security and Medicare still apply to every tip.
Work out the tip
Enter the bill, the tax, and the tip percentage to get the tip, the total, and each person’s share — with a table of every common percentage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 15% still an acceptable tip?
Yes, for adequate service at a sit-down restaurant 15% is within the standard range, though 18% to 20% has become the more common default.
Do you have to tip at a self-serve kiosk or counter?
No. Tipping for counter service, takeout, and self-serve orders is optional. Many people tip a little for complicated or large orders, but skipping the tip screen is fine.
How much do you tip on a $100 bill?
$15 to $20 for standard to good service at a restaurant, based on the pre-tax amount.
Should I tip on a discounted or comped meal?
Etiquette guides suggest tipping on what the bill would have been before the discount or coupon, since the service was the same.
Sources
This article is for general education and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures reflect published IRS and SSA amounts as of the date above; verify current limits with the linked sources or a qualified professional before acting.
About the author
David Miles is the founder of FigureMoney and builds independent, source-backed personal-finance tools across the Modern Site Builders network. Every calculator and guide cites the IRS, SSA, or primary research behind its numbers.
Calculators in this guide
Tip Calculator
Calculate the tip and total for any bill at 15%, 18%, 20% or a custom percentage, tip on the pre-tax amount, and split the check — with optional rounding.
Percentage Calculator
Four quick percentage calculators: what is X% of Y, X is what percent of Y, percent change between two numbers, and percent off a price.
No Tax on Tips & Overtime Calculator
Estimate your 2026 “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime” deductions, plus the $6,000 senior deduction — with income phase-outs and the federal tax you save.
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