The check arrives: $87.43. You're splitting it four ways. One friend wants to tip 18%, another thinks 20%. Someone insists on tipping pre-tax but no one knows what the tax was. The waiter is hovering. Everyone's phone is out. It's been five minutes and you're still arguing about math while the restaurant tries to turn the table. A nice dinner ends in awkward silence because of arithmetic.
Tipping shouldn't require a math degree or a group negotiation. It should take five seconds.
We built the Tip Calculator after one too many of these situations. This guide covers everything we've learned about tipping—when, how much, and how to calculate it without killing the mood.
Why Tipping Matters
In Many Countries, Tips Are Essential Income
In the US and some other countries, service workers often earn below minimum wage with the expectation that tips make up the difference. Understanding this context makes tipping feel less like an optional extra and more like completing the transaction.
It Reflects on Your Experience
Your tip communicates something about your experience. We're not saying you should always tip 20%, but consistently low tips when service was good creates a disconnect.
It Gets Complicated
Different services expect different amounts. Different countries have different norms. Split bills require math. Our Tip Calculator handles all of this, but understanding the principles helps too.
Standard Tipping Guide (US)
Restaurants
| Service Level | Tip Percentage |
|---|---|
| Poor service | 10-15% |
| Acceptable | 15-18% |
| Good service | 18-20% |
| Excellent | 20-25%+ |
What we do: We default to 20% and adjust from there. It simplifies the math (just move the decimal and double) and ensures servers are fairly compensated when they do their job well.
Important: Tip on the pre-tax amount, not the total after tax. This can save you a few dollars on larger bills.
Coffee Shops
| Situation | Tip |
|---|---|
| Counter service, quick order | $1 or 10-15% |
| Counter service, complex order | $1-2 or 15-20% |
| Table service | 15-20% |
Our take: The rise of tablet tip screens at coffee shops has made this awkward. We usually tip $1-2 for a coffee unless there's actual table service involved.
Food Delivery
| Situation | Tip |
|---|---|
| Standard delivery | 15-20% or $3 minimum |
| Long distance | 20%+ |
| Bad weather | 20-25%+ |
| Large order | 15-20% |
What we've learned: Delivery drivers use their own vehicles, pay for their own gas, and often don't see a delivery fee. We tip more generously here than we used to after understanding the economics.
Bars
| Situation | Tip |
|---|---|
| Beer/wine | $1-2 per drink |
| Cocktails | $2-3 per drink or 20% |
| Open tab | 20% of total |
Hotels
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Housekeeping | $2-5 per night |
| Bellhop | $1-2 per bag |
| Concierge (basic help) | Not required |
| Concierge (special arrangements) | $5-20 |
| Valet | $2-5 |
| Room service | 15-20% if not included |
Tip we wish we knew earlier: Leave housekeeping tips daily, not at the end of your stay. Different housekeepers may clean your room on different days.
Personal Services
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Haircut | 15-20% |
| Spa services | 15-20% |
| Tattoo | 15-20% |
| Manicure/pedicure | 15-20% |
| Massage | 15-20% |
For services where you see the same person regularly (like a regular hairstylist), tipping well builds a relationship and often gets you better service.
Transportation
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Taxi/Uber/Lyft | 15-20% |
| Airport shuttle | $1-2 per bag |
| Charter bus driver | $2-5 per person |
| Tour guide | $5-10 per person |
| Moving company | $20-50 per person |
Other Services
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Grocery delivery | $5 minimum or 10-15% |
| Furniture delivery | $10-20 per person |
| Appliance installation | $10-20 |
| Pet grooming | 15-20% |
Using Our Tip Calculator
Our Tip Calculator handles common tipping scenarios:
Features
- Quick percentage options - One-tap common tip percentages
- Custom percentage - Enter any percentage you want
- Bill splitting - Divide equally among any number of people
- Pre-tax calculation - Calculate on the pre-tax amount
- Total with tip - See exactly what you'll pay
How We Use It
Honestly, we use it every time we eat out. Not because we can't do math, but because it's faster and eliminates the mental overhead when you just want to pay and leave.
Tipping Around the World
Tipping norms vary dramatically by country. Here's what we've learned traveling:
North America
United States: 15-20% expected for most services. Tipping culture is strong.
Canada: 15-20% similar to US. Note that some Canadian credit card terminals suggest 18%, 20%, 25%—the middle option isn't always standard.
Mexico: 10-15% at restaurants. Cash tips preferred.
Europe
United Kingdom: 10-15% at restaurants, not obligatory. Check if service charge is included.
France: Service included (service compris). Round up for good service.
Germany: Round up to nearest euro or 5-10% for good service.
Italy: Not expected. Small change or rounding up appreciated.
Spain: Not expected. Small tips for exceptional service.
Nordic countries: Generally not expected. Service included in prices.
Asia
Japan: Do not tip. It can be considered rude.
China: Not expected in most settings. Some high-end Western establishments may expect it.
South Korea: Not expected.
Thailand: Not expected but appreciated. 20-50 baht at restaurants.
Singapore: Service charge usually included. Small tips for exceptional service.
Australia & New Zealand
Tipping not expected or common. Australia has strong minimum wage laws. Exceptional service might warrant 10%.
Middle East
UAE/Dubai: 10-15% at restaurants. Check if service charge included.
Israel: 10-15% at restaurants. Service charge sometimes included.
When NOT to Tip
Some situations where tipping isn't expected (in the US):
- Fast food counters - Optional, usually not expected
- Retail stores - Generally not expected
- Professional services - Doctors, lawyers, accountants
- Business owners - If they own the salon/spa, tips aren't expected
- When service charge is included - Don't double-tip
And some situations where tipping would be inappropriate:
- Japan - As mentioned, can be considered rude
- Government employees - Can be seen as bribery
- When explicitly declined - Some establishments don't accept tips
How to Calculate Tips Quickly
The Mental Math Method
For 20%:
- Find 10% (move decimal left)
- Double it
Example: $85 bill
- 10% = $8.50
- 20% = $17
For 15%:
- Find 10%
- Find half of that (5%)
- Add together
Example: $85 bill
- 10% = $8.50
- 5% = $4.25
- 15% = $12.75
For 18%:
- Find 20%
- Subtract 10% of that
Example: $85 bill
- 20% = $17
- 10% of $17 = $1.70
- 18% = $15.30
Or just use our Tip Calculator and skip the math entirely.
Splitting Bills
When splitting among multiple people:
- Calculate the total tip
- Add tip to bill total
- Divide by number of people
Example: $200 bill, 20% tip, 4 people
- Tip: $40
- Total: $240
- Per person: $60
Our calculator does this automatically.
Common Tipping Questions
Should I tip on tax?
Technically, you should tip on the pre-tax amount. The service was for the food, not the tax. That said, many people tip on the total for simplicity, and the difference is usually small.
What if service was terrible?
We still tip something—usually 10-15%. Not tipping at all doesn't communicate the problem (the server may not even know why), and the server may have been dealing with kitchen issues, understaffing, or other problems outside their control.
If service was genuinely unacceptable, we speak to a manager. That provides actual feedback rather than just leaving no tip.
Should I tip on takeout?
Pre-pandemic, this was clearly "no." Now it's murkier. We usually tip 10-15% on takeout, especially from restaurants where kitchen staff shares tips. During busy times, we tip more—someone had to prioritize and pack our order correctly.
What about those tablet screens asking for tips?
This has become ubiquitous. Our approach: we tip at coffee shops and food service, but feel comfortable hitting "no tip" at places like retail stores or self-service kiosks where it doesn't make sense.
Should I tip in cash or card?
Both work. Cash is sometimes preferred because:
- Workers receive it immediately
- It's sometimes not taxed (though it should be reported)
- No credit card processing fees deducted
Card tips are also fine and help with record-keeping.
Conclusion
Tipping is the price of not being that person holding up the table doing math on their phone.
Know the standard amounts for your region, use our Tip Calculator when math isn't your focus, and remember that tipping is part of how service workers earn their living in many places.
The simplest rule: when in doubt, tip 20% for good service. Move the decimal, double it, done. It's easy to calculate, it's appreciated, and it lets you actually enjoy the end of your meal instead of stressing over percentages.
Keep Reading
- Personal Finance Calculations Guide - Master money math
- Travel Planning Calculations Guide - Navigate tipping while traveling
- Unit Conversion Complete Guide - Currency and measurement help abroad
Related Tools
- Tip Calculator - Calculate tips and split bills instantly
- Percentage Calculator - For other percentage calculations