Tipping can be confusing — who to tip, how much, and when. Here’s a straightforward guide with calculated amounts for every common situation.
Restaurant Tipping Guide
Standard Tips by Service Quality
| Service Level | Tip % | On $30 Bill | On $50 Bill | On $100 Bill | On $200 Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor | 10% | $3.00 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| Adequate | 15% | $4.50 | $7.50 | $15.00 | $30.00 |
| Good | 18% | $5.40 | $9.00 | $18.00 | $36.00 |
| Great (standard) | 20% | $6.00 | $10.00 | $20.00 | $40.00 |
| Exceptional | 25% | $7.50 | $12.50 | $25.00 | $50.00 |
Always tip on the pre-tax amount.
Group Dining Tips
| Group Size | Expected Tip | On $200 Bill | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 people | 18-20% | $36-40 | Standard |
| 6-8 people | 18-20% | $36-40 | Many restaurants auto-add 18% |
| 9+ people | 20% | $40+ | Auto-gratuity common |
| Private event | 20-22% | $40-44 | Confirm if service charge is included |
Check your bill — many restaurants automatically add 18-20% gratuity for groups of 6 or more.
Quick Tip Calculator
Tips on Common Bill Amounts
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 22% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15 | $2.25 | $2.70 | $3.00 | $3.30 | $3.75 |
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $4.40 | $5.00 |
| $25 | $3.75 | $4.50 | $5.00 | $5.50 | $6.25 |
| $30 | $4.50 | $5.40 | $6.00 | $6.60 | $7.50 |
| $40 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 | $8.80 | $10.00 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $11.00 | $12.50 |
| $60 | $9.00 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $13.20 | $15.00 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 | $16.50 | $18.75 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $22.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 | $33.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $44.00 | $50.00 |
| $300 | $45.00 | $54.00 | $60.00 | $66.00 | $75.00 |
| $500 | $75.00 | $90.00 | $100.00 | $110.00 | $125.00 |
Mental Math Shortcut
To calculate a 20% tip quickly:
- Move the decimal point one place left (= 10%)
- Double it
Example: $47 bill → $4.70 (10%) → $9.40 (20%)
For 15%: Calculate 10%, then add half of that. Example: $47 bill → $4.70 (10%) + $2.35 (5%) = $7.05 (15%)
Tipping Guide by Service
| Service | Expected Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18-20% | Pre-tax amount |
| Buffet | 10-15% | Server still brings drinks, clears plates |
| Takeout | 10-15% (optional) | Higher for complex/large orders |
| Food delivery | 15-20% (min $3-5) | More in bad weather or long distance |
| Coffee shop (counter) | $1-2 or 15-20% | Optional but appreciated |
| Bar (drinks) | $1-2 per drink or 18-20% of tab | $1 per beer, $2 per cocktail minimum |
| Bartender (open bar) | $1-2 per drink | Even when drinks are “free” |
| Barista (complex order) | $1-3 | For specialty drinks |
Delivery & Rideshare Tips
| Service | Expected Tip | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Food delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.) | 15-20% | $3-5 |
| Grocery delivery (Instacart, etc.) | 15-20% | $5 |
| Uber/Lyft (short ride) | 15-20% | $2-3 |
| Uber/Lyft (long ride) | 15-20% | $5 |
| Uber/Lyft (airport trip) | 20% | $5+ |
| Pizza delivery | 15-20% | $3-5 |
| Large catering delivery | 10-15% | $10-20 |
Personal Care & Salon Tips
| Service | Expected Tip | On $50 Service | On $100 Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut | 18-20% | $9-10 | $18-20 |
| Hair color/highlights | 18-20% | — | $18-20 |
| Shampoo assistant | $3-5 | — | — |
| Spa/massage | 18-20% | $9-10 | $18-20 |
| Manicure | 20% | $10 | — |
| Pedicure | 20% | $10 | $20 |
| Facial | 18-20% | $9-10 | $18-20 |
| Waxing | 15-20% | $7.50-10 | $15-20 |
| Tattoo artist | 15-20% | — | $15-20 |
If the stylist owns the salon, tipping is appreciated but not expected.
Hotel & Travel Tips
| Service | Expected Tip |
|---|---|
| Housekeeping | $3-5 per night (left daily) |
| Bellhop/Porter | $2-5 per bag |
| Concierge (restaurant reservation) | $5-10 |
| Concierge (hard-to-get tickets) | $15-25 |
| Valet parking | $3-5 per retrieval |
| Room service | 18-20% (check if included) |
| Shuttle driver | $2-5 |
| Tour guide | 15-20% of tour cost |
| Ski instructor | 15-20% |
Hotel Tipping by Stay Length
| Stay Length | Housekeeping Total | Bellhop (arrival + departure) | Total Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 night | $3-5 | $4-10 | $7-15 |
| 3 nights | $9-15 | $4-10 | $13-25 |
| 7 nights | $21-35 | $4-10 | $25-45 |
Home Services Tips
| Service | Expected Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture delivery | $5-20 per person | More for heavy items, stairs |
| Appliance installation | $10-20 per person | Optional |
| Moving company | 15-20% of total or $20-50/person | Full-day move |
| Plumber/Electrician | Not expected | But appreciated for exceptional work |
| House cleaner (one-time) | 15-20% | |
| House cleaner (regular) | Tip at holidays (1 session’s pay) | |
| Lawn care | $10-20 per visit or holiday tip | |
| Pet groomer | 15-20% | |
| Dog walker (regular) | Holiday tip (1 week’s pay) |
When NOT to Tip
| Situation | Why |
|---|---|
| Fast food counter | No table service provided |
| Retail stores | Service is part of their role |
| Doctor/dentist offices | Professional services |
| Auto mechanics | Professional services |
| Business owner performing service | They set their own prices |
| Service charge already included | Check the bill |
| Countries where tipping isn’t customary | Research local norms |
Annual Tipping Budget
How much the average household spends on tips:
| Category | Monthly Estimate | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (2-3x/week) | $80-120 | $960-1,440 |
| Coffee shops | $20-40 | $240-480 |
| Food delivery | $15-30 | $180-360 |
| Rideshare | $10-20 | $120-240 |
| Hair salon (every 6-8 weeks) | $10-15 | $75-120 |
| Hotel stays (3 trips/year) | — | $60-135 |
| Other services | $10-20 | $120-240 |
| Total | $145-245 | $1,755-3,015 |
The average American spends approximately $2,000-3,000/year on tips.
Key Takeaways
- 20% is the new standard for sit-down restaurants with good service
- Tip on pre-tax amounts — don’t include sales tax in your calculation
- Delivery drivers depend on tips — always tip at least $3-5
- Check for auto-gratuity on large groups before adding your own tip
- Mental math: Move the decimal left (10%) and double it (20%)
- Hotel housekeeping — leave $3-5 daily, not just at checkout
- The average household tips $2,000-3,000/year — worth budgeting for
Related Calculators & Guides
- Budget Calculator — Create a comprehensive monthly budget
- 50/30/20 Rule — A simple framework for managing your money
- Average Monthly Expenses — See how your spending compares
- Cost of Living Calculator — Compare costs across different cities
- Hourly to Salary Calculator — Convert wages to see your annual income
- Sales Tax Calculator — Calculate total costs including tax and tip