How much should I tip at a restaurant in the USA?

In the USA, the standard restaurant tip is 15–20% of the pre-tax bill for sit-down service. For good service, 18–20% is the norm. For exceptional service, 25% or more is appreciated. For poor service, 10–15% is acceptable though you may want to speak with a manager. At a buffet or counter-service restaurant, 10% or a dollar or two per person is appropriate. At fine dining, 20% is the floor for standard service.

Is tipping mandatory in the US?

Tipping is not legally mandatory in the US, but it is a deeply ingrained social and economic expectation. Many restaurant servers earn a federal tipped minimum wage of just $2.13 per hour (in states that allow it) and rely on tips for the majority of their income. In practice, not tipping for sit-down service is considered very rude and can cause financial hardship for service workers. Some restaurants add an automatic gratuity (typically 18–20%) for large parties, which is disclosed on the menu.

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Tip Guide by Service Quality

Service Quality	Tip %	Example on $50
Poor	10%	$5.00
Average	15%	$7.50
Good	18%	$9.00
Excellent	20%	$10.00
Exceptional	25%	$12.50

Tipping Culture in the USA: A Complete Guide

Tipping is one of the most distinctly American customs, and understanding it is essential whether you are a resident or a visitor. Unlike many countries where service charges are included in the bill and tipping is rare or modest, the United States has developed a tipping culture where gratuities form a substantial part of service workers' income. This guide covers what to tip, when to tip, and the history behind the practice.

The Economics of Tipping in America

The foundation of US tipping culture is the federal tipped minimum wage, which has been $2.13 per hour for tipped employees since 1991 — the same rate for over three decades. Employers are required to make up the difference if tips don't bring an employee up to the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour, but in practice, most tipped workers in busy establishments earn significantly more through gratuities. Some states like California, Washington, and New York have eliminated the tipped minimum wage and require all workers to receive the full state minimum wage, regardless of tips.

Tipping Etiquette by Service Type

Different service contexts call for different tip amounts:

Sit-down restaurants: 18–20% is the standard for good service. 15% for average, 25%+ for exceptional. At fine dining establishments, 20% is considered the floor.
Hair salons and barbershops: 15–20% of the service total. If your stylist is also the salon owner, tipping is optional by old etiquette but widely practiced today.
Taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft): 15–20%. Most rideshare apps make it easy to tip in-app after the ride. Cash tips are always appreciated.
Hotel housekeeping: $2–5 per night, left daily (since different staff may clean each day). Leave it on the pillow or in an envelope marked "Housekeeping."
Hotel bellhop/valet: $1–2 per bag for bellhops; $2–5 for valet parking.
Food delivery: 15–20%, minimum $3–5. Delivery drivers use their own vehicles and cover gas and wear.
Bartenders: $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of the tab if ordering food or a round of cocktails.
Coffee shops: $1 or 10–15% when ordering specialty drinks. Counter service tipping is discretionary.

Pre-Tax or Post-Tax: Which Amount to Tip On?

Traditional etiquette says to tip on the pre-tax bill amount, since the server did not provide any service related to the tax. Practically, the difference is minor — on a $60 meal with 8% tax ($64.80 total), the difference between tipping 20% on the pre-tax ($12.00) versus post-tax ($12.96) is less than $1. Most Americans simply tip on the total shown on the bill for convenience, and most servers appreciate the generosity.

A Brief History of Tipping

Tipping originated in 16th-century England, where patrons would give servants extra money to ensure prompt service — the word "tip" possibly derived from "To Insure Promptitude." The practice arrived in the United States in the late 1800s as Americans returned from European travel. Initially, many Americans considered tipping anti-democratic and several states even passed anti-tipping laws between 1909 and 1915. Those laws were ultimately repealed, and by the mid-20th century, tipping had become a firmly established American institution — one that persists and has even expanded into new industries with the rise of digital payment terminals that prompt for tips in nearly every service transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the USA, the standard restaurant tip is 15–20% of the pre-tax bill for sit-down service. For good service, 18–20% is the norm. For exceptional service, 25% or more is appreciated. At fine dining, 20% is the floor for standard service. At buffets or counter-service, 10% or a few dollars is appropriate.

Tipping is not legally mandatory in the US, but it is a deeply ingrained social and economic expectation. Many restaurant servers earn a federal tipped minimum wage of just $2.13 per hour and rely on tips for the majority of their income. Some restaurants add an automatic gratuity (typically 18–20%) for large parties, which is disclosed on the menu.

Etiquette experts recommend tipping on the pre-tax amount, since the server did not provide a service on the tax itself. In practice, the difference is small — on a $50 bill with 8% sales tax, tipping 20% on the pre-tax amount gives $10.00 vs. $10.80 on the post-tax total. Many Americans tip on the total for convenience.

For takeout orders, tipping is optional but appreciated — 10–15% is generous. For delivery through apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, 15–20% of the order total is standard, with a minimum of $3–5 for small orders. Delivery drivers use their own vehicles and cover their own gas and maintenance costs, so consider tipping on the higher end for large orders or bad weather.