How much
to tip?
Enter your bill, pick a percentage, split it up.
How much should you tip?
Tipping culture in the United States has changed a lot over the past few years. Those tablet checkout screens at coffee shops and fast food counters have made tip prompts feel unavoidable. But for sit down restaurants, the standard has been 15 to 20 percent for decades, with most service industry workers now expecting closer to 20 percent as the baseline for good service.
The right tip depends on the type of service, the quality of the experience, and honestly, your own values. Here is a quick guide to what most people tip in different situations.
How much to tip at a restaurant?
For a sit down restaurant with table service, 18 to 20 percent is considered a good standard tip. 15 percent is seen as the bare minimum for acceptable service. If your server went above and beyond, 25 percent or more is a great way to show it. Remember that servers in most US states earn a base wage well below minimum wage and depend on tips to make a living.
How much to tip for delivery?
For food delivery, 15 to 20 percent of the order total is standard, with a minimum of $3 to $5 for small orders. Delivery drivers deal with traffic, weather, and parking and often do not receive the full tip shown in the app. Tipping in cash when possible ensures the driver gets the full amount.
How much to tip at a bar?
The standard at a bar is $1 to $2 per drink for simple orders like beer or a basic cocktail. For a more complex cocktail or great service, tipping 20 percent of the tab at the end of the night is appropriate and appreciated.
Do I have to tip at a coffee shop or fast food counter?
There is no social obligation to tip at a counter service spot the way there is at a table service restaurant. If someone is just handing you a coffee they poured from a machine, tipping is optional and appreciated but not expected. That said, if a barista makes you a complex drink or you are a regular, a tip goes a long way.
Why do tip calculators sometimes give a different number than the machine?
Some point of sale systems calculate the tip percentage on the pre-tax subtotal, while others calculate it on the full total including tax. This is why a 20 percent tip on the machine sometimes comes out slightly higher than you expected. This calculator lets you enter whatever number is on your bill so you are always in control of the math.