Overview
Tipping does not need to be guesswork. The number you land on comes down to three decisions: what the bill actually is, what percentage fits the situation, and how you are splitting it if you are not paying alone.
This guide walks through each of those decisions, plus tipping norms outside sit-down restaurants — delivery, coffee shops, salons, and more — so you can move from “I have no idea” to a confident number in a few seconds.
Start with a clear bill amount
Decide whether you are tipping on the pre-tax subtotal or the full total, then stick with that method for the whole table. Consistency avoids awkward mid-meal recalculations, and it is the number every other decision below builds on.
If the receipt already separates tax from the subtotal, tipping on the subtotal is the more common convention in the U.S. — but either approach is fine as long as everyone splitting the check agrees on it up front.
Choose a percentage with intent
In many U.S. sit-down restaurants, 15–20% is the standard range, with 18–20% increasingly common for full-service dining. Use the calculator's presets for speed, or enter a custom percentage when you want something between the defaults.
Service quality is the main lever: 15% for adequate service, 18–20% for good service, and 20%+ for exceptional service is a reasonable rule of thumb most servers and diners recognize.
Split fairly
Equal splits of the tipped total work well for shared meals where everyone ordered roughly the same amount. If someone ordered a steak and someone else had a side salad, adjust after the calculator shows you the even share so you know exactly how much the equal split would have cost each person.
For larger groups, check your receipt for an automatic gratuity line — many restaurants add one for parties of six or more, and tipping again on top of it is optional, not expected.
Tipping outside restaurants
Tipping norms vary a lot by service type. Coffee shop counters typically see $1 or round-up tips rather than a percentage. Food delivery is commonly 15–20% of the order, with a bit more for bad weather or a long distance. Hair stylists and barbers are usually tipped 15–20% of the service cost, and movers are often tipped a flat $10–$20 per mover for a half-day job, more for a full day or a difficult move.
None of these are hard rules — local norms, service quality, and your own budget all matter — but they are a reasonable starting point when you are not sure what is customary.
When to tip more or less
It is fine to tip below the standard range for genuinely poor service, and reasonable to tip above it for service that went out of its way to help — a server who caught an allergy issue, or split a complicated order without complaint. What most etiquette guides agree on is that tipping zero is rarely the right response even to bad service; a lower percentage communicates the same feedback without leaving staff who often rely on tips for a meaningful share of their income with nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Is tipping mandatory in the U.S.?
No, it is a strong social norm rather than a legal requirement, but in many service jobs — servers, bartenders, delivery drivers — a significant share of take-home pay comes from tips, which is why skipping it is generally discouraged except for genuinely poor service.
What is a reasonable tip for takeout or counter service?
Takeout tipping is more optional than sit-down dining. Many people leave 10% or a flat $1–$3, especially if the order was customized or the wait was short. It is a courtesy rather than an expectation in most places.
Do delivery apps already include a tip?
Not automatically. Delivery apps usually separate a service fee or delivery fee (which goes to the platform) from the tip (which goes to the driver). Check the checkout screen carefully — the two are easy to confuse, and the driver typically only sees the tip line.
Should I tip on gift cards or discounted meals?
Common etiquette is to tip on the original pre-discount total, since the server's work was the same regardless of how you paid. This applies to gift cards, coupons, and most promotional discounts.
Try the calculator
Use the free Tip Calculator for live numbers, then come back to this guide anytime you need a quick refresher.