How Much Should You Tip?
Tipping norms vary by service type. Here's a general guide:
| Service | Standard Tip | Excellent Service |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% | 25%+ |
| Buffet | 10% | 15% |
| Bartender | $1–2 per drink | 20%, or $2+ per drink |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | 25% |
| Taxi / rideshare | 15–20% | 25% |
| Hair / nail salon | 15–20% | 25% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5/night | $5–10/night |
| Pizza delivery | $3–5 | 15%, or $5+ |
How to Calculate a Tip
The formula is simple:
Tip Amount = Bill × (Tip % ÷ 100)
Total = Bill + Tip Amount
Per Person = Total ÷ Number of People
For example, a $80 dinner bill with a 20% tip: $80 × 0.20 = $16 tip, making the total $96. Split four ways, each person pays $24.
Should You Tip on the Pre-Tax or Post-Tax Amount?
Technically, tipping on the pre-tax amount is the most common standard — the server didn't provide the government's portion of your bill. That said, the difference on a typical meal is small (a dollar or two), and most people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity.
Tipping by service type
Restaurant tipping is well understood; almost everything else is where people hesitate. These are the prevailing US conventions — norms, not rules, and they vary by region and by how much the person is being paid otherwise.
| Service | Customary tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% (25%+ for exceptional) |
| Bar / drinks | $1–2 per drink, or 20% of the tab |
| Food delivery | 15–20%, minimum $3–5 on small orders |
| Counter service / coffee | Optional; $1 or 10% if tipping |
| Rideshare / taxi | 10–20% |
| Hair salon / barber | 15–20% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $3–5 per night, left daily |
| Hotel bellhop | $1–2 per bag |
| Movers | $20–40 per mover for a full day |
Two situations reliably trip people up. Delivery on small orders — a 15% tip on a $12 order is $1.80, which is low for a trip across town, so a $3–5 minimum is the common floor. And percentage tips on very expensive services, where a flat 20% can be out of proportion to the work; there, rounding to a sensible amount is normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
The standard restaurant tip in the US is 15–20% of the pre-tax bill for good service, with 20% increasingly treated as the default. For exceptional service, 25% or more is appropriate. For counter service or takeout, 10–15% is typical if you choose to tip at all.
Is 20% a good tip?
Yes. 20% is widely considered the standard for good service at a sit-down restaurant in the US. 18% is acceptable, and 25% or more is reserved for exceptional service. Tipping below 15% is generally read as a signal that something went wrong.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically correct, since tax is not part of the service you received. The difference is usually small — on a $100 bill in a state with 8% sales tax, tipping 20% post-tax costs $1.60 more. Most people tip on the total for simplicity, and either is considered acceptable.
Do you tip on alcohol?
Yes, in most cases. If you order drinks with your meal at a restaurant, the convention is to tip on the full bill including alcohol. At a bar, $1 to $2 per drink or 20% of the tab is typical. Bottle service and wine service at high-end restaurants sometimes carry their own service charge, so check the bill before adding more.
How do I split a bill evenly?
Divide the total bill including tip by the number of people. This calculator handles that automatically — enter the bill, choose a tip percentage, and set the number of diners. For uneven splits where people ordered very differently, the fairer approach is to tip the same percentage on each person’s own subtotal.
What is a 15% tip on $50?
A 15% tip on a $50 bill is $7.50, making the total $57.50. At 18% it is $9.00 for a $59.00 total, and at 20% it is $10.00 for a $60.00 total.
What is a 20% tip on $100?
A 20% tip on a $100 bill is $20.00, making the total $120.00. A quick way to get 20% in your head is to move the decimal one place left to get 10%, then double it.
What if a service charge or auto-gratuity is already on the bill?
You generally do not need to tip on top of it. Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity of 18–20% for large parties, and some add a service charge regardless of party size. Both should be itemized on the bill. Check before adding a tip, because paying both is a common and expensive mistake — and note that a "service charge" does not always go to your server.