How Much to Tip: A Guide to Tipping in the U.S.
In the U.S., how much to tip depends on the service. A sit-down restaurant usually calls for a percentage of the bill, while hotel staff are often tipped a few dollars. Routine counter pickup is different, and an extra tip may be optional. Use this guide to compare common amounts and decide what fits the situation.
Tip Amounts by Service
Use this table as a quick reference. Percentages are common starting points, not a rule for every business or location. For hotel and luggage services, a few dollars is usually more useful than a percentage.
| Service | Typical amount | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant server | 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill | 18% or 20% is a common benchmark for attentive table service. |
| Buffet service | About 10% of the pre-tax bill | Consider the table help provided, such as drinks, plate clearing, or other service. |
| Bartender | $1 to $2 per drink, or 15% to 20% of the tab | A per-drink amount works for a simple order; a percentage can suit an open tab. |
| Takeout or counter pickup | Optional | A small tip may make sense for a large order, curbside handoff, or extra help. |
| Coffee shop or barista | Optional; spare change or $1 to $2 for extra help | A tip jar or screen prompt does not make tipping compulsory. |
| Food delivery | Often 10% to 20%, or a flat amount | Consider the order size, distance, weather, stairs, access, and effort involved. |
| Rideshare driver | Often around 10% to 20% of the fare | Trip length, service, luggage help, and available app options can affect the amount. |
| Taxi driver | Often 15% to 20% of the fare | Consider luggage assistance and other help, especially on a short trip. |
| Hair stylist or barber | About 15% to 20% of the service price | Check whether gratuity has already been added and whether more than one person served you. |
| Nail, facial, or massage service | About 15% to 20% in many non-medical settings | Medical or clinical settings can follow different policies. |
| Hotel housekeeper | About $2 to $5 per night | Leave a clearly marked amount each day because room staff may change. |
| Hotel bellhop | $2 for the first bag, then about $1 per additional bag | Adjust for extra bags or help bringing items to the room. |
| Hotel concierge | About $5 to $10 for reservations or tickets | A tip is not generally expected for a simple question or direction. |
| Valet parking | About $2 to $5 when the car is returned | Tip when you collect the car, not when you hand over the keys. |
| Moving crew | Sometimes $20 to $50 per mover for a full day | Consider the hours, difficulty, company policy, and whether tips are accepted. |
Need the actual tip amount for a common bill? Our Tip Chart lists dollar amounts by bill size and percentage.
How Much to Tip at Restaurants, Bars, and for Takeout
Full-service restaurants
For a sit-down meal with table service, 15% to 20% of the pre-tax subtotal is a common U.S. range. Many diners use 18% or 20% as a quick benchmark, then adjust for the service and local expectations.
For example, an 18% tip on a $60 pre-tax subtotal is $10.80. The subtotal plus tip is $70.80 before sales tax. The amount changes if you calculate the percentage after tax instead. Our Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Tipping guide compares both methods.
Buffets and bartenders
About 10% is a common buffet guideline when staff bring drinks, clear plates, or provide other table help. At a bar, $1 to $2 per drink is a simple reference; 15% to 20% of the tab can work better when you keep an open tab.
Takeout and coffee shops
Picking up an ordinary order is not the same as being served at a table, so an extra tip is usually optional. Some customers leave change or a small amount when staff prepare a large order, carry it outside, or help with a special request. A suggested amount on a payment screen is an option, not a personal obligation.
How Much to Tip for Delivery and Transportation
Food delivery
For food delivery, people commonly use a percentage or a flat dollar amount. Around 10% to 20% is a broad reference range, but the right amount can depend on the order and the work involved. Distance, bad weather, stairs, parking, building access, and timing can all matter. Check the receipt so you know whether a listed fee is a delivery charge or a voluntary tip.
Rideshare and taxis
For rideshare trips, around 10% to 20% of the fare is a common guide. Taxi guidance often falls around 15% to 20%, with at least a dollar sometimes used for a short fare. Consider the trip, the service, and any help with bags rather than assuming the highest option on a screen is expected.
How Much to Tip at Hotels
Hotel tipping is usually easier to work out in dollars. A common starting point is $2 to $5 per night for housekeeping, $2 for the first bag handled by a bellhop and about $1 for each additional bag, and $2 to $5 for valet parking when your car is returned.
For housekeeping, leave a clearly marked tip each day instead of waiting until checkout. Staff may rotate during your stay. For a concierge, consider about $5 to $10 when they arrange tickets, make a difficult reservation, or handle a request that takes extra effort. A simple direction does not usually call for a tip.
How Much to Tip at Salons and for Personal Services
For a haircut, manicure, facial, or massage in a typical non-medical setting, 15% to 20% of the service price is a common guideline. If several people help, check the salon's policy so you know whether a tip is shared or should be given to each person who served you.
Before adding anything at checkout, look at the receipt for an included gratuity. Policies can vary for independent providers, clinical services, and appointments where the stated price already includes gratuity.
How Much to Tip Movers and Home Service Workers
Moving crews are often tipped with a flat amount per worker rather than a percentage of the bill. For a full-day move, some U.S. guides use $20 to $50 per mover as a starting point. The length of the job, heavy items, stairs, weather, and difficulty of access can affect the amount. Check the moving company's policy first.
Tipping a plumber, electrician, or other skilled technician is generally optional, and there is no single percentage that fits every job. Consider the company's policy and any extra work performed rather than relying on a payment screen to decide for you.
When Is Tipping Optional?
Counter pickup, self-service ordering, and routine transactions often have no firm tipping expectation. Full-service dining, delivery, and many personal services follow different customs. When you're unsure, consider what the worker actually did, whether the service is normally tipped, and any policy posted by the business.
Read the bill before adding a second amount. An automatic gratuity or service charge may already be included, and it may not be the same as a voluntary tip. If the wording is unclear, ask what the charge covers before deciding whether to add anything more.
How to Calculate a Tip
Multiply the amount you are tipping on by the tip percentage written as a decimal. For 18%, use 0.18.
Example: $60 subtotal at 18%
$60 × 0.18 = $10.80 tip
$60 + $10.80 = $70.80 before sales tax
For an exact amount, a custom percentage, sales tax, or a bill shared among several people, use the Tip Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 20% tip always required?
No. Twenty percent is a common restaurant benchmark, not a universal rule for every service. The amount depends on the kind of service, local custom, and the circumstances.
Should I calculate a restaurant tip before or after sales tax?
Many U.S. etiquette guides use the pre-tax subtotal. Some diners calculate on the total after tax for convenience. Check which amount you are using, since it changes the result.
Do I have to tip for takeout?
Routine counter pickup generally does not require an extra tip. You can leave one for a large order or help beyond the normal handoff, but the choice is yours.
Should I tip again if a service charge is on the bill?
First check what the charge covers and whether an additional tip is expected. If the bill does not make that clear, ask the business before adding another amount.
Do I calculate the tip per person or on the whole bill?
For a shared restaurant bill, calculate the tip from the eligible bill amount, then split the tip by each person's share or another arrangement the group agrees on. Do not multiply the tip percentage by the number of diners.
What if the service is not listed here?
Check the business's policy or ask whether tipping is customary. Some services use a percentage, others use a flat amount, and some do not normally call for an extra tip.