Tipping in the U.S. has gotten complicated. Standard percentages have crept up. New industries have introduced tip prompts. Here's the current standard tipping rates across industries (2026 baseline).

Restaurants (sit-down)

  • Standard: 18–20% pre-tax.
  • Excellent service: 25%.
  • Poor service: 10–15% (and provide feedback).
  • Tipping below 15%: only for genuinely bad service. Speak to the manager about issues.

Tip after subtotal (before tax). Some calculate after tax — both are acceptable; pre-tax is cheaper.

For larger groups (6+), restaurants often add 18% gratuity automatically. Check the bill before adding extra tip.

Takeout

Has shifted in recent years:

  • Pre-pandemic: no tipping expected for takeout.
  • Now: 10–15% common, especially with curbside delivery to your car.
  • For pure pickup at counter: still optional. $1–2 reasonable for friendliness.

Tip prompt screens at takeout counters often suggest 18–25%. You can decline.

Delivery (food)

  • Restaurant delivery (driver employed by restaurant): 15–20%.
  • Third-party (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub): $3–5 minimum, or 15–20% for larger orders.
  • Bad weather: add $2–3 to standard tip.
  • Long distance: add to compensate driver.

Bars

  • Per drink: $1–2 for beer or simple cocktails. $2–3 for craft cocktails.
  • Big tab: 15–20%.
  • Cash tipping: on the bar in $1 bills.

Coffee shops

  • Order at counter: $1 or 10–15% optional. Many leave nothing.
  • Tip prompts on iPad: $0 is OK. The prompts are designed to maximize tips; you don't have to tip on every coffee.

Taxi and rideshare

  • Taxi: 15–20%.
  • Rideshare (Uber, Lyft): 15–20% via the app, or round up the fare.
  • Long rides: consider higher tip.

Hotels

  • Bellhop with luggage: $2 per bag.
  • Housekeeping: $2–5 per night, left daily (housekeepers may rotate).
  • Concierge for booking: $5–20 depending on complexity.
  • Valet parking: $2–5 each time car is brought.
  • Room service: 15–20% (often added automatically).

Personal care

  • Hair (cut, color): 15–20%.
  • Nail salon: 15–20%.
  • Massage: 15–20% (in spas often added automatically).
  • Spa services: 18–22% standard.
  • Barber: 15–20%.

Home services

  • Furniture delivery: $5–10 per person.
  • Movers: $20–40 per mover for half-day; $40–60 for full day.
  • Plumber, electrician, repair: generally not tipped (they bill what they want).
  • Cleaning service: 15–20% for one-time; 10% for regular weekly.
  • Lawn care: usually not tipped (one-time visit by company crew).

Travel

  • Cruise staff: $14–20 per person per day (often added automatically).
  • Tour guide (half-day): $10–20 per person.
  • Tour guide (full-day): $20–50 per person.
  • Driver-only (multi-day): $5–10 per person per day.
  • Bartenders on cruise: $1–2 per drink unless gratuity included.

Special situations

Holiday tipping (December):

  • Postal worker: $20 limit (USPS rule).
  • Newspaper carrier: $10–25.
  • Garbage collector: $20–30.
  • Building doorman/super: $25–100+.
  • Personal trainer: equivalent of one session.

Tipping for outstanding service: 25–30% for genuinely exceptional, especially in restaurants. The dollar amount matters less than the gesture.

The "tip prompt" backlash

Many businesses now have iPad tip prompts at counters that didn't traditionally accept tips: bakeries, takeout, even self-serve frozen yogurt.

This is "tip creep." Etiquette: tip when service warrants it. Don't feel obligated by every prompt. $0 is socially acceptable for counter pickup of a coffee.

When tipping isn't expected

  • Self-service food (fast food counter, food trucks unless they delivered to your table)
  • Owner-operated services (the owner-stylist often doesn't accept tips)
  • European travel (most countries don't expect tips)
  • Australia (no tipping culture)
  • Japan (tipping is often refused)

Always research local custom when traveling abroad.

The wage debate

U.S. tipped workers: federal minimum is $2.13/hour with tips bringing them to $7.25 minimum. States vary widely.

Tipping evolved from a service-rewarding bonus to "expected" income for many workers. The debate continues — some restaurants have moved to "no-tip" with built-in service charge or higher base wages.

Until that fully shifts, standard tipping is the social expectation.

Cash vs card

Cash tips go directly to the worker, often unreported (so untaxed). Card tips usually pool with the restaurant's other tips and are processed.

For workers, cash usually preferred. Card tips are also accepted but may be combined with manager's tip pool.

Calculate your tip

For quick tip calculation: 20% = bill × 0.2. Or take 10% (move decimal one left) and double it.

For precise calculations and split bills, use any tip calculator. The math is simple but it's faster.