How Much to Tip: A Practical Guide for Every Service
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Tipping customs in the United States can feel like a moving target. Payment screens now ask for a tip at the coffee counter, the self-checkout kiosk and the food truck, and it is not always obvious which tips are expected and which are optional. This guide sorts it out service by service.
The figures below are typical ranges, not rules. What you leave is always your decision and can reflect the quality of service, the effort involved and local norms.
Why tipping matters so much in the US
In many US states, restaurants can pay tipped employees a lower base wage on the expectation that tips will make up the difference. Federal law has long allowed a cash wage as low as $2.13 an hour for tipped workers, as long as tips bring total pay up to the regular minimum wage. That is why a tip in an American restaurant is closer to part of the price than to a bonus, and why leaving nothing at a sit-down meal is usually seen as a statement about the service.
Restaurants and bars
| Situation | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant, good service | 18% – 20% of the pre-tax bill |
| Sit-down restaurant, adequate service | 15% |
| Exceptional service or fine dining | 20% – 25% |
| Buffet | About 10% |
| Bartender | $1 – $2 per drink, or 15% – 20% of the tab |
| Takeout / pickup | Optional; up to 10% for large orders |
| Coffee shop / counter service | Optional; spare change or $1 |
Large parties often have an automatic gratuity of 18% to 20% added to the check. Look for words like "gratuity" or "service charge" before you add anything on top.
Delivery and transport
| Service | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant or app food delivery | 15% – 20%, at least $3 – $5 |
| Grocery delivery | 5% – 10%, at least $5 for heavy orders |
| Taxi or rideshare | 15% – 20% of the fare |
| Airport shuttle driver | $2 – $5, more if they handle heavy bags |
| Valet parking | $2 – $5 when your car is returned |
For delivery, distance and weather matter. A driver who climbs three flights of stairs in a rainstorm has earned more than the minimum.
Personal care
| Service | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Hairstylist or barber | 15% – 20% |
| Shampoo assistant | $2 – $5 |
| Nail technician | 15% – 20% |
| Massage therapist or spa treatment | 15% – 20% (check for an included service charge) |
| Pet groomer | 15% – 20% |
If the salon owner personally provides the service, some people skip the tip, but many owners still appreciate one. When in doubt, tipping is the safer choice.
Hotels and travel
| Service | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Housekeeping | $2 – $5 per night, left daily with a note |
| Bellhop / porter | $1 – $2 per bag |
| Concierge | $5 – $20 for special reservations or hard-to-get tickets |
| Room service | 15% – 20% if no service charge is included |
| Tour guide | 10% – 20% of the tour price |
Leave the housekeeping tip each day rather than at the end of your stay, because a different person may clean your room each morning. A short "thank you" note makes it clear the money is meant for them.
Home services
Tips are generally not expected for plumbers, electricians, technicians and other trades who set their own prices. Movers are the main exception: $20 to $40 per mover for a full day's work, or 5% to 10% of the bill, is common. Offering cold drinks on a hot day is appreciated too.
What about tip prompts on payment screens?
Touchscreen tip prompts have made tipping more visible in places where it was never customary, like counters and kiosks. A few practical pointers:
- Check the base. Some screens calculate the suggested percentages on the total including tax. Our article on tipping before or after tax explains why that matters.
- "No tip" is a valid answer for counter service where nobody served you at a table.
- Use the custom option if the presets start at 20% or higher and that does not fit the situation.
When service is poor
If something goes wrong, raise it politely with your server or a manager first, since many problems come from the kitchen rather than the person bringing your food. Reducing the tip to around 10% for genuinely poor service is a common response. Leaving nothing at all is usually reserved for serious problems.
Frequently asked questions
Is 15% still an acceptable tip?
Fifteen percent is generally seen as the lower end for adequate sit-down restaurant service in the US today. Many diners now use 18% to 20% as their default for good service.
Do I have to tip when ordering takeout?
Tipping on takeout is optional. Many people leave nothing or around 10% for large or complicated orders that took real effort to pack.
How much should I tip for food delivery?
A common approach is 15% to 20% of the order, with a minimum of a few dollars, and more in bad weather or for long distances.
Keep reading
How to Calculate a Tip: 5 Easy Methods (With Examples)
Learn how to calculate a tip in your head, on your phone or with a formula. Simple tricks for 10%, 15%, 18%, 20% and 25% tips, with worked examples.
Should You Tip Before or After Tax? The Clear Answer
Do you calculate the tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount? What etiquette experts suggest, how much difference it makes, and how to handle discounts and service charges.
How to Split the Bill With Friends (Fairly, Including the Tip)
Four fair ways to split a restaurant bill with friends: even split, itemized, proportional tip and rotating payer. Worked example with tax and tip included.