What is a good tip percentage?
A good tip for sit-down restaurant service in the United States is 18–20% of the pre-tax bill. 15% is the acceptable baseline for adequate service, 18% is the everyday standard, 20% signals good service, and 22–25% rewards exceptional service or a large, demanding table. This calculator applies whatever percentage you choose, adds it to the bill, and splits the total evenly between any number of people.
Enter the bill, tap a quick tip button (or type your own percentage), and set the number of people to instantly see the tip amount, the grand total, and what each person owes.
How much to tip by service type
Tipping norms differ a lot by situation. Here are the customary U.S. ranges:
| Service | Customary tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% (15% minimum) |
| Exceptional service / large group | 22–25% |
| Buffet | 10% |
| Takeout / counter pickup | 0–10%, optional |
| Food delivery | 15–20%, at least $3–5 |
| Bartender | $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of the tab |
| Coffee shop | Optional — spare change to $1+ |
| Hairdresser / barber | 15–20% |
| Taxi / ride-share | 10–15% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night |
| Bellhop | $1–2 per bag |
| Valet | $2–5 when your car is returned |
Worked examples
On a $50 dinner bill, an 18% tip is $9, bringing the total to $59. On an $80 bill with a 20% tip, the tip is $16 and the total is $96 — split between two people, each pays $48. On a $120 bill at 15%, the tip is $18 and the total is $138.
Quick mental math for tipping
You don’t need a phone out at the table (though this page works great on one). Two tricks cover almost every case: for 20%, move the decimal one place left and double it — on $64, that’s $6.40 × 2 = $12.80. For 15%, take 10% and add half of it again — on $64, $6.40 + $3.20 = $9.60. For 18%, aim between the two.
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
Do you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Etiquette guides agree the tip is customarily calculated on the pre-tax subtotal — the cost of the food and drinks, not the government’s share. In practice many people tip on the final total because it’s the number at the bottom of the receipt; that’s slightly more generous, and nobody will object. If a restaurant has already added a service charge or “auto-gratuity” (common for parties of 6+), you are not expected to tip again on top of it.
Tipping outside the United States
The 15–20% norm is largely a U.S. and Canada convention. In the UK, 10–12.5% is typical and often appears on the bill as a service charge. Across much of Europe, service is included and rounding up or leaving 5–10% is a courtesy, not an obligation. In Japan, South Korea and China, tipping is not customary and can even cause confusion. In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is appreciated for great service but entirely optional. When traveling, a quick local check beats applying U.S. rules abroad.
When is it okay to tip less?
Tipping less — say 10% — is a recognized signal of poor service, but consider whether the problem was the server’s fault: slow food is usually a kitchen issue, and a packed section means the server is stretched thin. If something genuinely went wrong, mentioning it to a manager helps more than a small tip alone. In the U.S., many servers are paid a sub-minimum “tipped wage,” so tips are a real part of their income rather than a bonus.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good tip percentage?
18–20% of the pre-tax bill is a good tip for sit-down restaurant service in the U.S. 15% is the acceptable baseline, and 22–25% rewards exceptional service. Norms differ for delivery, bars, salons and other services.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Customarily, tips are based on the pre-tax bill amount, though many people simply tip on the total for convenience — that's slightly more generous. Enter whichever bill figure you prefer.
Is 15% still an acceptable tip?
Yes — 15% remains the acceptable baseline for adequate table service in the U.S., though 18–20% has become the everyday standard, especially in larger cities.
How much should I tip on a $100 bill?
On a $100 bill: $15 at 15%, $18 at 18%, $20 at 20%, and $25 at 25%. An 18–20% tip ($18–20) is the standard range for good restaurant service.
Is 10% a bad tip?
At a U.S. sit-down restaurant, 10% is below the customary range and generally reads as a signal of poor service. For buffets or taxis, however, 10% is within the normal range.
How much should you tip for food delivery?
15–20% of the order, with a $3–5 minimum even on small orders. Consider tipping more in bad weather or for long-distance deliveries. Note that a 'delivery fee' on the receipt usually does not go to the driver.
Do you tip for takeout?
Tipping on takeout is optional. Many people tip nothing or round up; 5–10% is a kind gesture for large or complicated orders that took real time to pack.
Should I tip in cash or on the card?
Either is fine. Cash tips reach the server immediately and are preferred by many; card tips are pooled or paid out through payroll depending on the restaurant's policy.
What if a service charge is already on the bill?
If the restaurant added an automatic service charge or gratuity (common for parties of 6 or more), you are not expected to tip again — though some guests add a little extra for outstanding service.
How does the bill split work in this calculator?
The calculator adds your chosen tip percentage to the bill, then divides the grand total evenly by the number of people, showing each person's share and the tip per person.