USA Tipping Guide: How Much to Tip in America
Complete US tipping guide covering restaurants, hotels, taxis, delivery, hairdressers, and more. Includes the exact percentages and amounts expected for every service in America.
Tipping in the United States is not merely optional — for many service workers, gratuity represents the majority of their income. Understanding US tipping etiquette ensures you reward good service appropriately and avoid awkward situations.
Why Tipping Matters in the US
US federal law allows employers to pay tipped employees as little as $2.13 per hour, on the assumption that tips will bring total earnings to at least the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour). In practice, many tipped workers earn far more in tips than their base wage — but they also bear the full risk of slow nights and difficult customers.
When you leave a good tip, you are directly compensating the person who served you.
Restaurant Tipping (Sit-Down)
| Service Quality | Tip % |
|---|---|
| Poor | 10% |
| Average | 15% |
| Good | 18% |
| Excellent | 20% |
| Outstanding | 22–25%+ |
Tip on the pre-tax subtotal, or the post-tax total — both are acceptable. The difference on a $60 bill is about $1.50 at a 10% tax rate.
Large parties: Many restaurants automatically add an 18–20% gratuity for groups of 6 or more. Check your bill before adding an additional tip.
Bar Tipping
- Drinks at a bar: $1–2 per beer or glass of wine; $2 per cocktail
- Bottle service: 10–15% of the total bill
- Tab at end of night: 15–20% of the total
Food Delivery
- Standard tip: 15–20%
- Minimum tip: $3–5, regardless of the bill size (to account for distance and effort)
- Bad weather: Add $2–5 extra as a thank-you
Note: Delivery app “tips” go directly to the driver — not the restaurant.
Hotels
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Bellhop / Porter | $1–2 per bag ($5 minimum) |
| Valet parking | $2–5 on pickup |
| Housekeeping | $2–5 per night |
| Concierge (basic) | $0–5 |
| Concierge (special arrangements) | $10–20 |
| Room service | 15–20% (if not already charged) |
Tip housekeeping daily — different staff may clean your room each day.
Transportation
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Uber / Lyft | 15–20% (through the app) |
| Taxi | 15–20%, round up |
| Airport shuttle | $1–2 per person |
| Limo / car service | 15–20% |
Beauty & Personal Services
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Haircut | 15–20% |
| Hair colouring / treatment | 15–20% |
| Manicure / Pedicure | 15–20% |
| Massage | 15–20% |
| Tattoo artist | 10–20% (cash preferred) |
If you pay the salon owner directly for services they perform themselves, tipping is still appreciated (though some owners feel awkward accepting it — follow their cues).
Other Services
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Movers | $20–50 per person for a full day |
| Furniture delivery | $5–20 per person |
| Grocery delivery | 10–15% or $3–5 minimum |
| Parking valet | $2–5 |
| Coat check | $1 per coat |
| Tour guide | $5–10 per person |
When Not to Tip in the US
Some services do not typically require a tip:
- Counter service or fast food (optional, prompted by POS)
- Self-checkout at grocery stores
- Purchasing goods (retail, boutiques)
- Doctors, dentists, and other licensed professionals
Quick Tip Calculator
Not sure of the exact amount? Use our free tip calculator to compute the tip and total in seconds. Just enter the bill, choose a percentage, and you’re done.