How Much to Tip: The Complete Guide for Restaurants, Delivery, Hair, Taxis and More
Published November 3, 2026 · By Ahmad Parvez
Almost every tipping question is really two questions: what percentage is normal here, and what is that in actual money? This guide answers both. It covers the standard percentages service by service, a tipping chart you can read at the table, the difference between a tip, a gratuity and a service charge, and the mental maths that gets you to 15%, 18% or 20% of any bill without reaching for your phone.
The standard tip for every service
These are the widely accepted US norms. When in doubt, the middle of the range is never wrong.
| Service | Standard tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% of pre-tax bill | 15% for merely adequate service; 25% for exceptional |
| Bar | $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of the tab | Cash per round is fine |
| Food delivery (pizza, apps) | 15–20%, minimum $3–5 | More in bad weather or for long distances |
| Hair stylist / barber | 20% | Plus $2–5 for an assistant who washed your hair |
| Tattoo / piercing | 20% | On the full session price, not the deposit |
| Massage / spa | 15–20% | 20% is standard at most spas |
| Nail salon (mani/pedi) | 15–20% | Cash tips are often preferred |
| Taxi / rideshare | 15–20% | Round up generously for help with luggage |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night | Leave it daily — staff rotate |
| Bellhop / valet | $1–2 per bag / $2–5 on car return | Tip when the car is returned, not dropped |
| Catering delivery | 10–15% | Check whether a delivery fee already includes gratuity |
| Movers | $20–50 per mover | More for stairs, pianos and very long days |
Tipping chart: 15%, 18%, 20% and 25% of common bills
Read your bill size down the left, then across to the percentage you want. This is the same maths the tip calculator does — including tax and splitting between friends.
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $1.50 | $1.80 | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $30 | $4.50 | $5.40 | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| $40 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| $60 | $9.00 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $15.00 |
| $80 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
How to work out a tip in your head
Every percentage builds from 10%. Move the decimal point one place left to get 10% of the bill. Then:
- 20% — double the 10% figure. On $47: 10% is $4.70, so 20% is $9.40.
- 15% — 10% plus half of it. On $47: $4.70 + $2.35 = $7.05.
- 18% — 20% minus 2% (a fifth of the 10% figure). On $47: $9.40 − $0.94 = $8.46.
- 25% — a quarter of the bill. On $47: about $11.75.
Should you tip on the tax as well? Custom says the tip is figured on the pre-tax amount, but the difference is small — on a $50 meal with 8% tax, tipping 20% on the total instead of the subtotal adds about 80 cents. Nobody's evening turns on it; tip on the total if the maths is easier.
Gratuity, explained: what 18% and 20% gratuity mean
Gratuity is simply the formal word for a tip — the two are the same money. The confusion starts when a restaurant adds it for you:
- Automatic gratuity — many restaurants add 18% or 20% to the bill for large parties (usually 6–8 or more), banquets and events. It appears as a line on the receipt. Once it is there, you are not expected to add a second full tip — though a few extra dollars for standout service is a kind gesture.
- "18% gratuity" on a menu means the house will add an 18% tip to your bill automatically. On a $120 group bill that is $21.60 — check the receipt before adding your own 20% on top by habit.
- Service charge is not always a tip. A service charge belongs to the house and may or may not reach your server. If a service charge is already on the bill, it is reasonable to ask your server whether it goes to them; many people still add 5–10% in cash so the person who served them is covered either way.
- Can a restaurant force gratuity? If the policy is printed on the menu or stated before you order, the automatic gratuity is generally treated as an agreed charge rather than a voluntary tip.
Delivery tips: the minimum matters more than the percentage
Percentages break down on small orders: 15% of a $12 pizza is $1.80, which nobody should cross town for. Use a floor instead — $3 minimum on small orders, $5 on a standard order, and 15–20% once the order passes about $30. Delivery drivers for apps (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart) see your tip upfront and effectively bid on orders; a fair tip gets your food picked up faster and still warm. Grocery delivery follows the same rule, trending to 20% for large or heavy orders.
Splitting the bill fairly
Split the whole bill — food, tax and tip — by the number of people, unless someone ordered far more than everyone else. The tip percentage applies to the full bill before splitting, not to your share afterwards (the server served the whole table). If four people split a $96 bill with a 20% tip, the total is $115.20 and each person pays $28.80. Any tax-and-tip split like this is exactly what the tip calculator at the top of this guide's short answer is built for.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good tip percentage?
A good tip in the US is 20% for sit-down restaurant service, hair, tattoo and massage services; 15–20% for delivery, taxis and nail salons; and 18% as a solid all-round default. Below 15% signals poor service rather than a normal tip.
What does 20% gratuity mean?
It means a tip equal to 20% of the bill has been — or will be — added. When a restaurant applies 20% gratuity automatically (common for large parties), the amount is printed on your receipt and no second full tip is expected on top.
Is 10 percent a good tip?
No — 10% is below the US norm for almost every service and is usually read as a sign the service was poor. The floor for acceptable service at a sit-down restaurant is around 15%, with 18–20% standard. For delivery, small percentages should be replaced by a $3–5 minimum.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or after-tax amount?
Traditionally the tip is calculated on the pre-tax subtotal, but tipping on the total is common and simpler. The difference is small: at an 8% tax rate, 20% on the total costs about 1.6% of the bill more than 20% pre-tax.
How much should I tip for pizza delivery?
Tip 15–20% of the order with a $3–5 minimum — $5 is the standard for a typical pizza order. Tip more for large orders, bad weather, stairs, or a long drive. A delivery fee on the receipt is not a tip; it goes to the store, not the driver.
How much do you tip a hair stylist?
20% of the service price is the standard tip for a hair stylist or barber. Tip the person who did the work; if a separate assistant washed your hair, $2–5 for them is a thoughtful extra. Around the holidays, regulars often add a bonus equal to one full visit.
Put the numbers to work
Knowing the percentage is half the job — here is the tool that does the arithmetic, plus two neighbouring guides.