Tip Calculator

In the United States, the standard restaurant tip is 15–20% of the pre-tax bill. For good service, 18% is a solid baseline; for excellent service, 20–25% is appropriate. If you receive poor service, 10–15% signals dissatisfaction while still compensating the server. Keep in mind that servers in many US states earn a base wage of just $2.13/hour and depend on tips for the majority of their income. For buffets or counter service, 10% is typically appropriate.

Etiquette experts recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal — the cost of food and drinks before sales tax is added. This is because tax rates vary by location (from 0% in some states to over 10% in others) and tipping on tax essentially means tipping on a government charge. However, many payment terminals calculate the suggested tip on the post-tax total. The difference is usually small — on a $100 bill with 8% tax, the difference between tipping 18% on $100 vs. $108 is only $1.44. Most servers will appreciate either approach.

The quickest mental math method: move the decimal point one place left to find 10% of the bill. For a $56 bill, 10% is $5.60. Double that for 20% ($11.20), or add half of 10% to get 15% ($5.60 + $2.80 = $8.40). Another shortcut: in areas with roughly 8–10% sales tax, simply double the tax amount for an approximate 16–20% tip. For splitting bills, calculate the total tip first, then divide by the number of people. Or simply use our tip calculator above for instant results.

In the US, tipping is not expected at fast-food restaurants, retail stores, self-service establishments, movie theaters, or when picking up takeout (though a small tip for takeout is increasingly appreciated). Internationally, tipping is not expected in Japan (can be insulting), South Korea, China (outside tourist areas), Iceland, and most Scandinavian countries. Also, if a service charge or auto-gratuity is already included in your bill, an additional tip is optional — though you can add extra for exceptional service.

Auto-gratuity (automatic gratuity) is a mandatory service charge that restaurants add to bills, typically for parties of 6 or more. It usually ranges from 18–20% and will appear on your bill as 'gratuity,' 'service charge,' or 'auto-grat.' Legally, this is classified as a service charge rather than a voluntary tip. Always check your bill before adding an additional tip — double-tipping is a common mistake, especially at large group dinners. If the auto-gratuity is included and you received exceptional service, you can still add a small extra tip on top.

For food delivery, tip 15–20% of the order total, with a minimum of $3–5 for small orders. Consider tipping more in these situations: bad weather (rain, snow, extreme heat), long delivery distances, large or heavy orders, apartment deliveries requiring stair climbing, or holiday deliveries. Most delivery apps allow you to tip through the app, but cash tips are often preferred by drivers as they receive them immediately. Remember that delivery drivers use their own vehicles and cover fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs.

Tipping customs vary dramatically by country. In the US and Canada, 15–20% is expected at restaurants. In the UK, 10–15% is standard. Most of continental Europe includes service charges in the bill, with an optional 5–10% extra for good service. In Japan and South Korea, tipping is not part of the culture and can even be seen as disrespectful. In Thailand, 10% is expected from tourists. In Australia, tipping 10% is appreciated but not obligatory. Always research local customs before traveling — a quick search for '[country name] tipping etiquette' will prevent awkward situations.

The simplest approach: calculate the total tip on the full bill first, then divide both the bill and tip equally among all people. For a $200 bill with 18% tip ($36), the total is $236, or $59 per person for a group of 4. If individual orders varied significantly, a fairer approach is for each person to calculate their own tip on their individual subtotal. Many restaurants will split checks by seat if asked. Our calculator's split feature handles the math automatically — just enter the bill, tip percentage, and number of people.

Tipping on takeout is optional but increasingly appreciated, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic normalized tipping for to-go orders. A tip of 10–15% acknowledges the work of packaging your order, checking for accuracy, and including utensils and condiments. If you order a large or complex takeout order, a tip is especially appropriate. At coffee shops, rounding up or adding $1 is common. However, you are not obligated to tip at fast-food drive-throughs or when picking up pre-ordered items from counter-service establishments.

Many service workers prefer cash tips because they receive the money immediately without waiting for payroll processing. Cash tips may also have tax reporting implications that benefit the worker. However, card tips are perfectly acceptable and more practical in our increasingly cashless society. When tipping by card, write the amount clearly on the receipt and calculate the total to avoid confusion. Some establishments pool tips among all staff regardless of payment method, so the difference may be minimal. The most important thing is that you tip — the method is secondary.