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
Tipping is a real line item in your household budget — visit the Budgeting Guide hub for the full picture. Understanding how tips affect your average monthly expenses helps you plan ahead, and the Budgeting hub covers all the budgeting methods to choose from.
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