Tipping expectations vary by service type, location, and quality. Here’s a comprehensive guide to how much to tip in every situation.
Quick answer: Standard tips are 15-20% at restaurants, $2-5 per night for housekeeping, 15-20% for personal services (hair, spa), and 15-20% or $3-5 minimum for delivery. The national average restaurant tip is about 20%.
Restaurant Tipping
Sit-Down Restaurants
| Service Level | Tip Percentage |
|---|---|
| Poor service | 10-15% |
| Adequate service | 15-18% |
| Good service | 18-20% |
| Excellent service | 20-25% |
| Average | 19-20% |
Quick Reference by Bill Amount
| Bill | 15% Tip | 18% Tip | 20% Tip | 25% Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $30 | $4.50 | $5.40 | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 | $18.75 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
Other Restaurant Scenarios
| Scenario | Tip Guideline |
|---|---|
| Takeout | 0-10% (optional, 10-15% if complex order) |
| Counter service/fast casual | $1-2 or 10-15% (optional) |
| Buffet | 10-15% |
| Bartender | $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of bar tab |
| Sommelier | 10-15% of wine cost |
| Large party (6+) | Often 18-20% automatic gratuity |
| Private dining/catering | 15-20% if not included |
Delivery & Takeout Tipping
Food Delivery
| Order Size | Recommended Tip |
|---|---|
| Under $20 | $3-5 minimum |
| $20-$40 | $5-8 or 15-20% |
| $40-$75 | 15-20% |
| $75+ | 15-20% |
| Delivery Factor | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Bad weather | +$2-5 |
| Long distance | +$2-3 |
| Stairs/difficult access | +$2-3 |
| Large/heavy order | +$3-5 |
| Holiday | +$3-5 |
Other Delivery Services
| Service | Recommended Tip |
|---|---|
| Grocery delivery | 10-15% or $5 minimum |
| Instacart | 15-20% (heavy items warrant more) |
| Amazon Fresh | $5-10 |
| Alcohol delivery | 15-20% |
| Furniture delivery | $5-20 per person |
| Appliance delivery/install | $10-20 per person |
| Moving company | 15-20% or $20-50/mover |
Personal Services Tipping
Hair & Beauty
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Haircut | 15-20% |
| Hair coloring | 15-20% |
| Blow dry | 15-20% |
| Stylist (full service) | 20% |
| Shampoo person | $2-5 |
| Barber | 15-20% |
| Waxing | 15-20% |
| Manicure | 15-20% |
| Pedicure | 15-20% |
| Mani-pedi combo | 15-20% |
Spa & Wellness
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Massage (60 min, ~$100) | 15-20% ($15-20) |
| Facial | 15-20% |
| Body treatment | 15-20% |
| Spa package | 15-20% of total |
| Massage therapist (private) | 15-20% |
| Acupuncturist | Not expected (optional $10-20) |
| Chiropractor | Not expected |
| Physical therapist | Not expected |
Fitness & Personal Training
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Personal trainer (gym) | Optional, $10-25/session or holiday gift |
| Private yoga instructor | 15-20% |
| Golf caddy | $25-50 per bag |
| Ski instructor | 10-15% |
| Tennis pro | Not expected (end of season gift) |
| Pilates reformer class | Not expected |
| Group fitness instructor | Not expected (optional $5-10) |
Hotel Tipping
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Housekeeping | $2-5/night (daily) |
| Bellhop | $1-2/bag ($5 minimum) |
| Doorman (hails cab) | $1-2 |
| Doorman (assists with luggage) | $1-2/bag |
| Concierge (simple request) | $5-10 |
| Concierge (complex booking) | $10-25+ |
| Valet parking | $2-5 |
| Room service | 15-20% (check if included) |
| Spa services | 15-20% |
By Hotel Tier
| Hotel Type | Housekeeping | Bellhop | Concierge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2-3/night | $1/bag | N/A |
| Mid-range | $3-5/night | $2/bag | $5-10 |
| Luxury | $5-10/night | $3-5/bag | $10-25 |
Transportation Tipping
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Taxi | 15-20% |
| Uber/Lyft | 10-20% (in-app) |
| Airport shuttle | $1-2/bag |
| Tour bus driver | $2-5/person |
| Private driver | 15-20% |
| Limo | 15-20% |
| Parking valet | $2-5 |
| Boat captain/crew (charter) | 15-20% |
Home Services Tipping
One-Time Services
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| House cleaner (one-time) | 15-20% |
| Deep cleaning | 15-20% |
| Carpet cleaning | Not expected ($10-20 optional) |
| Window washing | Not expected ($10-20 optional) |
| Junk removal | $10-20/person |
| Painters | Not expected ($20-50 for good work) |
| Plumber/electrician | Not expected |
| HVAC technician | Not expected |
| Pest control | Not expected ($5-10 optional) |
Regular Services
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| House cleaner (regular) | Equivalent of one session at year-end |
| Lawn care/gardener | $20-50 at year-end |
| Pool cleaner | $20-50 at year-end |
| Dog walker | One week’s pay at holidays |
| Nanny | One week’s pay at holidays |
| Au pair | $50-100+ at holidays |
Holiday/Year-End Tipping
| Service Provider | Holiday Tip |
|---|---|
| House cleaner | 1 week’s pay |
| Nanny/regular babysitter | 1 week’s pay |
| Dog walker | 1 week’s pay |
| Garbage collector | $15-30 |
| Mail carrier | $20 max (postal regulations) |
| Newspaper deliverer | $10-30 |
| Personal trainer | 1 session cost |
| Hair stylist | Cost of 1 visit |
| Doorman | $20-100+ |
| Super | $20-100+ |
When NOT to Tip
| Situation | Reason |
|---|---|
| Business owner | Generally don’t tip owners |
| Professionals (doctors, lawyers) | Not tipped |
| Retail sales | Not customary |
| Fast food counter | Not expected |
| Government employees | May be against regulations |
| Auto mechanics | Not customary |
| Airline staff | Not customary |
| Hotel front desk | Not customary (except concierge) |
| Real estate agents | Not customary |
Tipping Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Average restaurant tip | 19.5% |
| Americans who always tip at restaurants | 77% |
| Americans who tip delivery drivers | 63% |
| Average tip increase since 2020 | +3% |
| Gen Z average tip | 17% |
| Boomer average tip | 21% |
Tipping Etiquette Tips
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| Unhappy with service | Still tip 10-15%, speak to manager |
| Automatic gratuity added | Check bill, additional tip optional |
| Comped meal | Tip on original value |
| Discount/coupon | Tip on pre-discount amount |
| Gift card | Tip on full bill (cash if needed) |
| Owner provides service | Small tip or none acceptable |
| Not sure | When in doubt, tip 15-20% |
Bottom Line
- Restaurants: 15-20% (20% is the new normal)
- Hotels: $2-5/night housekeeping, $1-2/bag bellhop
- Delivery: 15-20% or $3-5 minimum
- Personal services: 15-20% (hair, spa, etc.)
- Home services: Not expected, but appreciated for great work
- Year-end: Regular service providers get bonus equal to 1 session/week
- Tip on pre-tax, pre-discount amount
- Cash tips are often preferred by workers