Tipping culture in the US can feel overwhelming, especially for visitors. Here is a clear, practical guide to who to tip, how much, and when it is genuinely optional.
| Service | Standard Tip | Exceptional Service |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down) | 18–20% | 25%+ |
| Restaurant (counter/fast casual) | 0–15% | 15% |
| Bar (drinks) | $1–2 per drink or 15–20% | 20%+ |
| Food delivery | 15–20% (min $3–5) | 25% |
| Uber/Lyft/Taxi | 15–20% | 20–25% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night | $5–10 |
| Hotel bellhop | $1–2 per bag | $5+ |
| Hair salon | 15–20% | 25% |
| Spa/massage | 15–20% | 25% |
| Valet parking | $2–5 | $10 |
| Coffee (table service) | 15% | 20% |
Legally, no. But culturally, tips are expected in most service contexts because many US service workers earn below minimum wage and depend on tips as a significant portion of income. In many states, the tipped minimum wage is as low as $2.13/hour before tips.
Quick method: move the decimal point left one place (10% of $46 = $4.60), then double it ($9.20 = 20% tip). Round up for convenience.
When splitting: calculate the tip on the total bill first, then divide both the bill and tip by the number of people. Never calculate tip on each person's individual order — it causes confusion and usually results in the server being undertipped.
Calculate your tip and split the bill evenly among friends — instantly.
Tip CalculatorConvention varies. Most people tip on the pre-tax subtotal, but servers prefer post-tax. The difference on a $50 bill is less than $1.50. In practice, either is acceptable.