Why tipping matters so much in the U.S.

In many countries, a tip is a small thank-you. In the United States, it is part of how service workers are paid. Under federal law, employers can pay tipped workers a cash wage as low as $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring them up to the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Many states set higher minimums, and a few, including California, require the full state minimum wage before tips. You can check each state on the U.S. Department of Labor’s tipped minimum wage table.

That is why a server, bartender or delivery driver often depends on tips for most of their income, and why a low tip has a real effect on someone’s paycheck. At the same time, tipping is still voluntary. The amounts below are common guidelines that help you tip fairly without guessing.

How much to tip: the quick reference table

Use this table as your starting point. Tip at the top of the range for great service, at the bottom for basic service, and check the bill for a service charge first.

Restaurants and bars

Sit-down restaurants. Tip 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill. For good service, 18% to 20% is now the most common choice, and 20% or more is a fair way to thank a server who went out of their way. A simple rule: if you would come back because of the service, tip 20%.

Large groups. Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity of 18% to 20% for parties of six or more. Read the bill before you tip. If a gratuity is already there, you do not need to add another full tip, though you can leave a little extra for great service.

Buffets and takeout. At a buffet, where staff still clear plates and refill drinks, 10% is typical. For takeout, a tip is optional. Many people leave 5% to 10% for large or complicated orders that took real work to pack.

Bars. Leave $1 to $2 per beer or simple drink, a bit more for cocktails, or 15% to 20% if you run a tab. If a bartender pours you a free drink, tip as if you had paid for it.

Bad service. If service was poor, it is still usual to leave at least 10% to 15%, because the problem is often the kitchen or a short-staffed shift. For a serious issue, speak to a manager instead of skipping the tip.

Food, grocery and package delivery

For restaurant delivery, tip 15% to 20% of the order, with a minimum of about $3 to $5 even on a small order. Add more for heavy orders, stairs, long drives or bad weather. On delivery apps, the delivery fee and service fee usually go to the company, not the driver, so the tip is the part the driver keeps.

For grocery delivery, 10% to 20% is common, with at least $5, because shoppers pick, pack and carry many items. For parcel carriers such as UPS or FedEx, a tip is not expected. A cold drink on a hot day or a small holiday gift is a kind gesture.

Travel: hotels, rides and tours

Hotel housekeeping. Leave $2 to $5 per night, more in a suite or a luxury hotel. Tip daily rather than at the end of your stay, because different staff may clean your room each day. Leave the cash on the pillow or desk with a short note so it is clear it is a tip.

Bellhop, porter and doorman. Give $1 to $2 per bag, and $2 to $5 if a doorman hails a taxi for you in bad weather. A concierge who books a hard-to-get table or show can be thanked with $5 to $20.

Valet parking. Tip $2 to $5 when your car is brought back. Some people also tip when they drop the car off.

Taxi and rideshare. Tip 15% to 20% of the fare. Add $1 to $2 per bag if the driver helps with luggage. In rideshare apps, you can tip after the ride, and the driver keeps all of it.

Tour guides. For a paid group tour, 10% to 20% of the tour price is common. For “free” walking tours where the guide works for tips, $10 to $20 per person is fair.

Personal care: hair, nails and spa

Tip your hair stylist, barber or colorist 15% to 20% of the service price. If a separate assistant washes your hair, give them a few dollars. Nail technicians are tipped the same 15% to 20%.

For a massage, facial or other spa service, 15% to 20% is standard, but many spas and resorts add a service charge. If one is on the bill, you do not need to tip on top unless you want to. If the business owner does the service themselves, a tip is still welcome today, even though older etiquette said it was not needed.

Home services: movers, deliveries and contractors

Movers. A common guideline is about $20 per mover for a half-day job and $40 per mover for a full day, more for stairs, heavy furniture or long distances. Some people tip 5% to 10% of the total moving bill instead. Water and snacks during the job are appreciated.

Furniture and appliance delivery. $5 to $20 per person, depending on the size of the item and whether they set it up.

Contractors, plumbers and electricians. A tip is usually not expected, since they set their own prices. Offering a drink or leaving a good review is a common way to say thanks.

Counters, coffee shops and tip screens

Tablet screens that suggest 18%, 20% or 25% now appear at bakeries, food trucks and self-service kiosks. At a counter, tipping is optional. Leaving $1 or rounding up for a hand-made drink or a custom order is a kind habit, but choosing “No tip” or “Custom” is perfectly fine for grab-and-go service.

A helpful test: tip when someone gives you personal service, such as taking your order at the table, carrying your food or spending time on a custom request. When you are mostly serving yourself, a tip is a bonus, not an obligation.

Holiday tips and gifts

The end of the year is the traditional time to thank people who help you all year. Common guidelines:

• House cleaner: up to one visit’s pay.
• Nanny or regular babysitter: one week’s pay, often with a small gift from the kids.
• Building doorman or superintendent: $20 to $100 or more, depending on the building and how much they help.
• Trash and recycling collectors: $10 to $30 each, if local rules allow it.
• Mail carrier: no cash. U.S. Postal Service employee gift rules allow a gift worth up to $20 per occasion, but not cash or gift cards that work like cash.

How to calculate a tip in your head

You do not need a phone to tip correctly. Start with 10%, which is the bill with the decimal moved one place to the left. Then build from there:

• 10%: on a $64 bill, move the decimal: $6.40.
• 15%: 10% plus half of it. $6.40 + $3.20 = $9.60.
• 20%: double the 10%. $6.40 × 2 = $12.80.
• 25%: divide the bill by 4. $64 ÷ 4 = $16.00.

Here is what those rates look like on common bills:

For any other amount, or to split the bill between friends, use our free tip calculator. It shows the tip, the total and each person’s share, and can round everyone up to an even dollar amount.

Tipping etiquette: five common questions

Before or after tax? Most etiquette guides say to tip on the pre-tax amount, since sales tax is not part of the service. Tipping on the after-tax total is common too, and on a $60 bill with 8% tax, the difference at 20% is under $1.

Service charge or gratuity? A “gratuity” or “tip” line on the bill usually goes to staff. A “service charge” may be kept by the business. If you are not sure, ask, and add a tip if the charge does not go to your server.

Cash or card? Both are fine. Cash reaches the worker the same night, while card tips may arrive with the next paycheck.

Coupons and discounts? Tip on the full price before the discount, because the server did the same work.

Gift cards and comped items? Tip on the value of what you received, not what you paid.

If you earn tips: the 2026 tax break

Tips are taxable income. Starting with 2025 tax returns, workers in jobs that customarily receive tips can deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips a year from federal income tax, whether or not they itemize. The deduction phases out above $150,000 of modified adjusted gross income for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers, and married couples must file jointly to claim it. Tips are still subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. The IRS explains the details on its No Tax on Tips page, and our federal tax calculator includes the deduction so you can see what it saves you.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Tipped minimum wage rules are from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees. Postal gift rules are from the U.S. Postal Service’s employee tipping and gift-receiving policy. The tips deduction is described by the Internal Revenue Service. Tip amounts are common U.S. etiquette guidelines, and the tip table is our own calculation.