Tipping FAQ

How much should I tip at a restaurant?

The standard tip at full-service restaurants is 15-20% of your pre-tax bill. Here's the breakdown: 15% for average service, 18-20% for good service (most common), and 20-25% for excellent service. In major cities like New York or San Francisco, 20% is increasingly considered the minimum.

Do I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?

Traditional etiquette says pre-tax, but either is acceptable. The logic for pre-tax is that you're tipping for service, not for the government's sales tax. However, most people don't think twice and tip on the total—servers appreciate both approaches. The difference is usually just a few cents to a dollar.

Bottom line: Don't stress about it. Both are fine.

Do I need to tip on takeout orders?

Tipping on takeout is optional but appreciated. Many people don't tip on takeout at all, while others leave 0-10%. If someone had to carefully package a complex order or the restaurant is especially accommodating, 10-15% is a nice gesture.

During busy times or if you're picking up a large order, consider tipping 5-10% to show appreciation for the extra work.

How much do I tip for delivery?

For food delivery, tip 15-20% of your order total with a $3-5 minimum even for small orders. Here's when to tip more:

• • Bad weather: Add $2-5 extra
• • Large or complex orders: 20-25%
• • Long distance: Add $5+ more
• • Stairs without elevator: Add $2-3

Important: Delivery fees charged by apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats do NOT go to your driver. Always tip separately.

Is it okay to not tip for bad service?

Leaving zero tip is generally not recommended, even for poor service. Here's a better approach:

1. Identify the problem: Is it the server's fault or the kitchen's? Slow food usually isn't on your server.
2. Speak to a manager: Address the issue while you're there so they can fix it and improve.
3. Tip accordingly: For truly bad service, 10-12% sends a message without being insulting.

Remember: servers rely on tips for their income. A zero tip should be reserved for extreme situations (rudeness, negligence, or refusal to address issues).

How much do I tip a bartender?

For bartenders, tip $1-2 per drink for simple drinks (beer, wine) or $2-3 per cocktail. If you're running a tab, tip 15-20% of the total at the end.

Special situations:

• • Free/comped drinks: Tip generously (25%+ of what it would have cost)
• • Complex cocktails: $3-5 per drink
• • First drink: Tip well to get better service all night

Do I tip at coffee shops?

At coffee shops with counter service, tipping is optional but appreciated. $1-2 or 10-15% is standard. For table service at a café, tip like a restaurant (15-20%).

Many coffee shops have tip jars or ask for tips on their iPad checkout. Spare change to $1 is common and appreciated, but not required like restaurant tipping.

Should I tip on a discounted or free meal?

Yes, always tip on the original price before any discounts or coupons. If you had a 50% off coupon, tip based on what the full meal would have cost. The server did the same amount of work regardless of your discount.

For comped meals (manager removed items from your bill), tip as if those items were still there. The service was provided, so the tip should reflect that.

How do I split a bill and tip with friends?

Use our tip calculator with bill splitting to divide the total (including tip) evenly. Enter your bill amount, choose the tip percentage, and increase the number of people to split between.

Pro tip: When splitting, always verify the tip is covered. A common mistake is everyone splitting the bill but forgetting to adequately cover the tip.

What if gratuity is already included in my bill?

Check your bill carefully! Many restaurants automatically add 18-20% gratuity for parties of 6+ or for certain events. Look for "gratuity," "service charge," or "auto-grat" on your receipt.

If gratuity is already included, you don't need to tip again. However, if service was exceptional, adding an extra 3-5% on top is a nice gesture (but completely optional).

Warning: Double-tipping by accident is a common and costly mistake. Always verify before adding your own tip.

Is it better to tip in cash or on a credit card?

Both are acceptable, but cash has some advantages for servers:

• • Immediate money: Cash tips go home that day, credit card tips come with the next paycheck
• • No fees: Some restaurants deduct credit card processing fees from tips
• • Tax flexibility: Cash is easier for servers to manage (legal gray area)

That said, credit card tips are perfectly normal and expected. Most people don't carry cash anymore, and servers understand this. Don't feel bad about tipping on a card.

How much do I tip for a haircut?

For hair services, tip 15-20% of the service cost. For complex services like coloring or styling, tip 18-25%. If you have a separate shampoo person, tip them $3-5 directly.

Special case: If the owner cuts your hair, tipping is optional (traditionally you don't tip owners), but many people still leave 10-15%.

Do I tip Uber/Lyft drivers?

Yes, absolutely. Tip rideshare drivers 15-20% of the fare with a $2-3 minimum for short rides. The apps make it easy to add tips after your ride.

Tip more if:

• • Driver helped with luggage ($1-2 per bag)
• • Excellent conversation or service (20-25%)
• • Long wait times or extra stops ($3-5 extra)
• • Late night rides (safety premium)

How much do I tip hotel staff?

Hotel tipping varies by service:

• • Bellhop/Porter: $1-2 per bag
• • Housekeeping: $2-5 per night (leave daily, not at checkout)
• • Concierge: $5-20 depending on complexity (dinner reservations = $10, complex itinerary = $20+)
• • Valet: $2-5 when they return your car
• • Doorman (cab hailing): $1-2
• • Room service: 15-20% if not already included

Pro tip: Carry small bills for hotel tipping—it's awkward to ask staff for change.

Do I tip at fast food restaurants?

No, tipping is not expected at fast food restaurants like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. These workers earn standard hourly wages (not server wages) and tipping isn't part of the business model.

Why do I see tip prompts at places that don't traditionally get tipped?

Many iPad checkout systems (Square, Toast, Clover) have default tip prompts for counter service, even where tipping wasn't traditional. This is called "tip creep" or "guilt tipping."

You are not obligated to tip at counter-service establishments just because the screen suggests it. Tipping 0% at a bakery, ice cream shop, or retail counter is perfectly acceptable.

That said, if someone provided excellent service or went above and beyond, a small tip ($1-2) is always appreciated.

What percentage should I tip for spa services?

For spa services (massage, facials, body treatments, nails), tip 15-20% of the service cost. Some high-end spas automatically include gratuity in packages, so check your bill first.

If you had multiple service providers (e.g., one person for massage, another for facial), tip each person individually based on their service cost.

How much extra should I tip during holidays?

During major holidays (Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day), it's customary to tip extra—typically double your usual amount or add an extra 5-10% on top of your standard tip.

Service workers often work holidays when they'd rather be with family, and showing extra appreciation goes a long way.

Do other countries tip like America?

No, America's tipping culture is unique. Most other countries either:

• • Don't tip at all (Japan, South Korea—can even be seen as insulting)
• • Round up or leave 5-10% (most of Europe, Australia)
• • Include service charges in the bill (UK, France)

American tipping rates (15-20%) are among the highest in the world because US service workers rely on tips as a primary income source, not just a bonus.

What if I genuinely can't afford to tip?

If you can't afford to tip 15-20%, consider these options:

• • Choose takeout instead of table service (tipping optional)
• • Cook at home or opt for fast casual/fast food (no tipping required)
• • Save up for occasional dining out and tip appropriately
• • Tip what you can (10% is better than nothing) and be apologetic

Important: If you can't afford to tip, you realistically can't afford table-service dining. Servers rely on tips for their income—eating out without tipping means they effectively served you for free.