Tipping guide

Tipping in the United States

Tipping in the United States is not a bonus for good service — it is how servers, bartenders and hotel staff are paid. In most states the tipped minimum wage is a fraction of the standard one, and tips are expected to make up the difference.

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Tipping in the United States at a glance

Tipping is expected and makes up most of a worker's pay

  • Restaurant (sit-down)
    18-22%
  • Cafe / Bar
    0-15%
  • Taxi / Rideshare
    15-20%
  • Food delivery
    15-20%
  • Tour guide / Driver
    15-20%
  • Spa / Salon / Barber
    18-22%
  • Hotel housekeeping
    $5.00 per night
  • Hotel porter / Bellhop
    $2.00 per bag
  • Valet parking
    $5.00 per car
  • Hotel concierge
    $10.00 per request

Tipped staff in the US are often paid below minimum wage and rely on tips to make it up. Leaving nothing is read as a complaint, not a saving.

Card terminals now suggest 20-30% almost everywhere, including at counters where nobody served you a table. Those defaults are set by the payment software, not by custom — 18-20% for table service and nothing at a self-serve counter is entirely normal.

Rates shown are typical amounts, converted to local currency at approximately 27 Aug 2026. Tipping customs evolve and vary from region to region, so treat this as your best starting point rather than a hard rule. Where a bill already shows a service charge, that is usually the tip.

Common questions

How much should I tip at a US restaurant?

18-20% of the pre-tax bill is the normal range for sit-down table service, and 15% signals that something went wrong. On a $80 dinner that is roughly $14-16.

Do I have to accept the 25% the card machine suggests?

No. Those suggested percentages are set by the payment software, are often calculated on the post-tax total, and now appear at counters where nobody served you. Tapping 'custom' or 'no tip' at a self-serve counter is completely normal.

Is tipping really mandatory in the US?

Legally, no. Practically, for table service, yes — your server may have to tip out the bar and bussers based on your bill whether or not you left anything, meaning a zero tip can cost them money.

International tipping guides by country

Open the free online tipping calculator — or read the guidance for another destination.