How Much to Tip: At a Glance
Not sure how much to tip? The table below covers every common tipping situation in the United States. Use it as a quick reference — or use our free tip calculator to get the exact dollar amount for your bill in seconds.
| Service | Standard Tip | Excellent Service |
|---|---|---|
| 🍽️ Restaurant (sit-down) | 18–20% | 20–25% |
| 🛵 Food delivery | 15–20% (min $3) | 20–25% |
| ☕ Coffee shop / counter service | $1–2 or 10–15% | 15–20% |
| 🍸 Bartender | $1–2 per drink | 20% of tab |
| 💅 Nail salon (manicure/pedicure) | 15–20% | 20–25% |
| ✂️ Hair stylist / barber | 15–20% | 20–25% |
| 🚗 Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | 10–15% | 20% |
| 🏨 Hotel housekeeper | $3–5 per night | $5–10 per night |
| 🧳 Hotel bellhop / luggage | $2–5 per bag | $5 per bag |
| 🅿️ Hotel valet parking | $2–5 on pickup | $5–10 |
| 🍽️ Hotel room service | 15–20% | 20% |
| 💆 Spa / massage therapist | 15–20% | 20–25% |
| 🚚 Moving company | $20–50 per mover | $50–100 per mover |
| 🍕 Pizza delivery | $3–5 (flat) | 15–20% |
| 🚕 Taxi | 15–20% | 20% |
| 🧹 House cleaner (recurring) | $10–20 per visit | 1 week's pay at holidays |
How Much to Tip at a Restaurant
The standard restaurant tip in the United States is 18–20% of the pre-tax subtotal for good service. Here's a breakdown by experience level:
- Below average service: 10–15% — still expected; servers earn tipped minimum wage
- Good service: 18–20% — the nationwide standard
- Excellent service: 20–25% — shows real appreciation
- Outstanding / special occasion: 25–30% — for exceptional experiences
For large parties (6+), many restaurants add an automatic 18–20% gratuity — always check your bill first. Use our restaurant tip calculator for instant, split-bill results.
How Much to Tip for Food Delivery
Delivery drivers deserve a solid tip. Most earn a low base pay — often just $2–3 per delivery — and rely on tips to make a living wage. The standard is 15–20% of the order total, with a $3 minimum for small orders.
When to tip more than 20%:
- Bad weather (rain, snow, extreme heat)
- Long delivery distance (over 5 miles)
- Large or heavy orders (multiple bags)
- Stairs, difficult access, or late-night delivery
Use the delivery tip calculator to get the exact amount for any DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub order.
How Much to Tip at a Hotel
Hotel tipping is one of the most commonly forgotten — and most appreciated — forms of gratuity. Each hotel worker typically earns a modest hourly wage, and tips make a meaningful difference.
- Housekeeper: $3–5 per night, left daily (different staff cleans each day)
- Bellhop: $2–5 per bag carried to your room
- Valet: $2–5 when they return your car (not when you drop off)
- Room service: 15–20%, but check if a service charge is already included
- Concierge: $5–20 for significant help with reservations or special requests
See our full hotel tip calculator for a complete breakdown by service type.
How Much to Tip at a Nail Salon
The standard tip for nail services is 15–20% of the service cost. Many nail technicians are booth-renters who pay a portion of their earnings to the salon, making tips an important part of their income.
- Basic manicure: 15–20% ($3–6 on a $20 service)
- Gel / acrylic full set: 15–20% ($7–12 on a $55 service)
- Pedicure: 15–20% ($6–10 on a $40 service)
Tip in cash when possible — it goes directly to your technician. Use the nail salon tip calculator for exact amounts.
How Much to Tip a Hair Stylist
The hair industry standard is 15–20% for your stylist. If the owner cuts your hair, tipping is still expected — the idea that you skip the tip for salon owners is outdated. For a shampoo assistant, $3–5 in addition to your stylist tip is customary.
Do You Have to Tip?
In the United States, tipping is not legally required — but it is a deeply embedded social norm for service industries. Many service workers earn a tipped minimum wage, which can be as low as $2.13 per hour federally, because the law assumes tips will bring them to full minimum wage. Leaving no tip at a sit-down restaurant, delivery, or salon is generally considered inconsiderate in the US.
That said, tipping culture has grown significantly beyond its origins. You are never obligated to tip at self-service counters, fast food restaurants (where staff earn full minimum wage), or online services with no service component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Etiquette experts recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal. The tax is a government charge unrelated to the quality of service. In practice the difference is usually $1–3, so many people simply tip on the full total for ease.
Is 15% still a good tip at a restaurant?
In 2026, 15% is considered the minimum acceptable tip — not a standard one. The norm has shifted to 18–20%. A 15% tip today signals mild dissatisfaction with service. If the food or service was genuinely poor, 15% communicates that without being insulting.
How much should you tip on a $100 restaurant bill?
On a $100 bill: a 15% tip = $15, an 18% tip = $18, a 20% tip = $20, and a 25% tip = $25. Most diners tip $18–20 on a $100 restaurant bill. Use our tip calculator to quickly figure out the amount for any bill size.
Do you tip at fast food restaurants?
Tipping at fast food is optional. Counter staff at fast food chains typically earn the full minimum wage (unlike sit-down servers), so you are not obligated to tip. If you appreciate the service at a local or independent spot, a $1–2 tip is a kind gesture.
How much do you tip for a $200 haircut?
On a $200 haircut, a 15% tip = $30, 18% = $36, and 20% = $40. For high-end services, tipping on the higher end (20%) is especially appreciated. Use our tip calculator — enter $200 as the bill and choose your percentage.
Calculate Your Tip Now
Use our free tip calculator to instantly find the right tip for any situation — restaurants, delivery, hotels, nail salons, and more. Just enter your bill amount, choose a tip %, and split it by the number of people at the table.