Tip Calculator

The standard tip at sit-down restaurants in the United States is 15–20%, with 20% increasingly the norm in major cities. For exceptional service, 25% or more is common. At counter-service or fast-casual restaurants, tipping is appreciated but not expected—10–15% is generous. For food delivery, $3–$5 per order or 15–20% of the bill is standard, and for rideshares like Uber and Lyft, 15–20% is typical. These norms have shifted upward over time partly due to the rise of digital payment prompts.

There is no strict rule, but most etiquette experts recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal since the server did not provide the government's portion of your bill. In practice, the difference is small—on a $50 meal with 8% tax, tipping 20% pre-tax is $10.00 versus $10.80 post-tax. Many diners find it easier to tip on the total rather than subtracting tax first. Either approach is perfectly acceptable; the server will appreciate any thoughtful tip.

To split a bill evenly, add the tip to the total bill first, then divide by the number of people. For example, if your bill is $120 and you tip 20%, the tip is $24, making the total $144. Split among 4 people, each person owes $36. This calculator does that math automatically: enter your bill, select a tip percentage, set the number of people, and it shows each person's share instantly. For uneven splits (one person had a more expensive dish), it's easiest to itemize each person's share and apply the tip percentage to their individual subtotal.

Tipping on takeout is optional but courteous—10–15% acknowledges the staff who prepared and packaged your food. For delivery orders, tipping is strongly encouraged since delivery drivers often rely on tips as a significant part of their income. The recommended range for delivery is 15–20% of the order total, with a minimum of $3–$5 for smaller orders. Third-party delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) typically prompt for a tip before delivery; this goes to the driver, not the restaurant, so consider tipping both if the service is excellent.

Tipping norms vary by service: hotel housekeeping, $2–$5 per night (left daily since staff may rotate); bellhops, $1–$2 per bag; hotel concierge for significant help, $5–$20. For hairdressers and stylists, 15–20% of the service cost is standard. Barbers, $2–$5 or 15–20%. Tattoo artists, 15–20% if you are happy with the work. Movers, $20–$50 per mover for a full-day job. Spa services (massages, facials), 15–20%. When in doubt, 15–20% is a safe default for any personal service.

Tipping is not legally required in the US—it is a voluntary gratuity. However, for tipped workers like restaurant servers, federal law allows employers to pay a lower base wage (as little as $2.13/hour federally) on the assumption that tips will bring their total compensation up to at least minimum wage. In practice, skipping a tip in a full-service restaurant means the server may earn very little for their work. Some restaurants have moved to a no-tipping model with higher menu prices, but this is still uncommon. In other countries—Japan, South Korea, Australia—tipping can even be considered rude, so it's worth researching local customs when traveling abroad.