US Tip Calculator: How Much to Tip in America
In the United States, a tip is not a small bonus for good service: in many jobs it is a large part of the worker's pay. Enter your bill below to get the tip, the total, and each person's share, then use the tables to see what is customary for each service.
How much to tip in the US
No law sets the amount, but the social norms are clear. These are the usual ranges:
| Service | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 15–20% of the bill (20% is increasingly the norm) |
| Bar | $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of the tab |
| Food delivery | 10–15%, with a $3–5 minimum |
| Taxi or rideshare (Uber, Lyft) | 15–20% of the fare |
| Hairdresser or barber | 15–20% of the price |
| Hotel bellhop | $1–2 per bag |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night |
| Valet parking | $2–5 when your car is returned |
For large groups, often six or more, many restaurants add an automatic gratuity of about 18–20%. Check the bill before tipping a second time.
Why tipping matters so much in the US
Tipping in America is above all a wage issue. Federal law lets employers pay tipped workers a reduced cash wage of just $2.13 an hour, a rate unchanged since 1991. The employer has to make up the difference only if tips do not reach the regular minimum wage ($7.25 federally, higher in many states). So a large part of a server's income comes directly from customers.
Seven states (Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington) do not allow that lower tipped wage and require the full state minimum before tips. Tipping is still expected there. If you come from a country where service is built into prices, it helps to think of the tip as part of the price rather than as a reward.
When you do not need to tip
Tipping follows table service. It is traditionally not expected at fast-food counters, cafeterias, or anywhere you order and carry your own food. The line has blurred, though: many counters now use a payment screen that suggests a tip. In those cases you can choose "No tip" without breaking any custom.
Tip and sales tax are separate
Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city, from nothing in a few states to over 10% in some cities. It has nothing to do with the tip. Custom is to tip on the pre-tax amount, the price of food and drinks, although many people tip on the total for simplicity, which gives a slightly higher tip. The calculator applies your percentage to the amount you enter, so type the subtotal if you want the strict version.
"Tipflation" and payment screens
Since payment tablets became common, customers get asked for tips in places that never expected them, such as takeout counters and self-checkout kiosks. Screens often suggest 20%, 25% or 30%, with the cashier watching, and many Americans now say tipping has gone too far. You can always lower the percentage or choose "No tip" when there was no real service.
Budgeting for a trip
The menu price is never the final price. Tax and tip together commonly add 25–30%, so a $40 dinner often costs about $50. To turn that into your own currency, use the dollar to euro converter. For a wider view of prices, see our guide to the cost of living in the US and our overview of American daily life.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really have to tip at a US restaurant?
At a sit-down restaurant, yes in practice. A tip of 15–20% is expected unless the service was truly bad. It is not a legal obligation, but leaving nothing is widely seen as rude.
Should I tip on the amount before or after tax?
The strict custom is before tax, on the food and drink subtotal. Many people tip on the taxed total for convenience. Both are accepted.
How much do you tip a taxi or Uber driver?
About 15–20% of the fare. Rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft let you add the tip in the app after the ride, and you can also tip in cash.
What about a screen asking for 25% on a coffee?
You do not have to accept it. For counter service, a small tip or no tip is fine. Look for "No tip" or "Custom" to enter a lower amount.
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