How Much to Tip in the US
Tipping customs in the United States can be confusing. These are common amounts, not rules, and they can vary by place and situation.
Common tipping amounts
- Sit-down restaurants: 15% to 20% of the bill for good service
- Bars: about $1 to $2 per drink, or 15% to 20% of the tab
- Food delivery: 10% to 20%, with a few dollars as a minimum
- Taxi and rideshare: 15% to 20%
- Hair and beauty services: 15% to 20%
- Hotel housekeeping: a few dollars per night is common
How to calculate a tip
Tip = bill × tip percentage. For a quick 10%, move the decimal point one place to the left. Double that for 20%. On a $120 bill, 10% is $12 and 20% is $24.
Splitting a bill
Add the tip to the bill and divide by the number of people. For a $120 bill with an 18% tip, the tip is $21.60 and the total is $141.60. Split four ways, each person pays $35.40.
Before or after tax?
Many people tip on the pre-tax amount, and others tip on the total. Both are accepted. Check the bill first, because some restaurants add an automatic service charge for larger groups, and you may not need to tip again.
Tipping and fair pay
Servers in many states earn a lower base wage and rely on tips for much of their income. If service was poor, many people lower the tip a little, but leaving nothing is rarely the norm.
Use the calculator
Our Tip Calculator works out the tip, total and amount each person owes. Add tax first with the Sales Tax Calculator if you want to tip on the final total.