The check arrives, the card slip has a blank line for the tip, and suddenly everyone at the table is doing mental math. If you are new to the US, or just unsure what is normal these days, this guide gives you the short answer first, then the details.
The short answer: for table service in the US, tip 15% to 20% of the bill. Around 18% is a common middle ground, and 20% is typical for good service. Tipping is a custom, not a law, so use your judgment.
Want the numbers done for you? Open the free USA bill splitter or go straight to the calculator. Both are free, with no sign-up.
Why tipping matters in the US
In the US, menu prices usually do not include a tip, and servers commonly rely on tips as a large part of their income. That is why leaving a tip is expected at sit-down restaurants, and why skipping it, or leaving very little without a reason, is noticed. Rules about server pay vary by state, so the details differ from place to place, but the custom of tipping is nationwide.
Pre-tax or post-tax: which should you tip on?
Both are accepted. Many people tip on the pre-tax subtotal, because sales tax is not part of the service. Others tip on the final total because it is quicker. Here is how much difference it makes on a $100 meal with 8% sales tax and a 20% tip:
- Tip on pre-tax subtotal: 20% of $100 = $20.00, so you pay $100 + $8 tax + $20 =
$128.00 - Tip on post-tax total: 20% of $108 = $21.60, so you pay $108 + $21.60 =
$129.60
The gap is $1.60. Pick one method and stay consistent.
Quick tip chart (on the pre-tax subtotal)
| Subtotal | 15% | 18% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 |
| $80 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 |
| $120 | $18.00 | $21.60 | $24.00 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 |
Shortcut: for 20%, move the decimal one place left and double it. For $86, 10% is $8.60, so 20% is $17.20.
Situations that are different
- Large parties and auto-gratuity. Many restaurants add a service charge automatically for bigger groups, commonly six or more guests. If it is already on the bill, you generally do not need to add another tip unless service was exceptional. Always read the receipt first.
- Counter service and coffee shops. Tipping is optional and varies. Many people leave a dollar or two, or round up, for good service.
- Bars. A common custom is about a dollar or two per drink, or 15% to 20% on a larger tab.
- Takeout. Usually optional. A small tip for a big or complicated order is a kind gesture.
- Delivery. People commonly tip around 15% to 20%, and more in bad weather or for long distances.
- Buffets. Servers refill drinks and clear plates, so many people leave a smaller tip than at a full-service meal.
These are common customs rather than fixed rules, and local norms differ. When in doubt, follow what locals around you are doing.
How to split the tip fairly in a group
Here is where groups go wrong: they divide the final tip evenly even though the orders were very different. The person with a salad ends up covering part of the tip on someone else's steak. A fairer approach is to calculate the tip on each person's own food and drink.
Take four friends with an $120 subtotal, 8% sales tax and a 20% tip:
- Ava: $45 items + $3.60 tax + $9.00 tip =
$57.60 - Ben: $25 items + $2.00 tax + $5.00 tip =
$32.00 - Cara: $30 items + $2.40 tax + $6.00 tip =
$38.40 - Dan: $20 items + $1.60 tax + $4.00 tip =
$25.60
The total is $153.60. If the $24 tip were split evenly instead, each person would pay $6.00 toward it. Dan would pay $2.00 more than his own share, and Ava $3.00 less.
For how to handle shared appetizers and non-drinkers, read How to Split a Restaurant Bill Fairly.
Common tipping mistakes
- Tipping twice. Check whether an auto-gratuity or service charge is already on the bill.
- Forgetting the tip on a card slip. The printed total often does not include a tip, so fill in the tip line before you sign.
- Splitting the tip evenly when orders differ a lot. Use the per-person method above.
- Tipping less because of something the server did not control. A slow kitchen or a wrong order is usually not the server's fault.
Tipping outside the US
Customs differ a lot abroad. In the UK, restaurants often add an optional service charge, which changes whether you tip on top. See the UK guide. In India, check whether a service charge is already on the bill, and see the India guide.
See the per-person method in the calculator
Here are the four friends from the example above, entered in the Go Dutch tab with a 20% tip and 8% tax. The calculator gives the same figures as the hand calculation: Ava $57.60, Ben $32.00, Cara $38.40 and Dan $25.60, for a grand total of $153.60.
Messages you can copy
- “Heads up: our group of eight already has an 18% service charge on the bill, so no extra tip is needed unless you want to add one.”
- “I worked out the tip on what each of us ordered, so nobody pays extra for someone else’s dessert. I will send each person their share.”
- “Should we leave 20% on the pre-tax total? I can add it to everyone’s share.”
Let the calculator do it
Enter the subtotal, tax and tip percentage, then split evenly or assign each dish with the Go Dutch tab. Tax and tip are shared in proportion to what each person ordered, and you can send the result to your group on WhatsApp. It is free, needs no account, and nothing you enter is stored.
Open the Bill Splitter & Tip Calculator →
This article describes common customs and is general information, not legal or financial advice. Tipping practices vary by region and situation.
Source and further reading
- Fact Sheet #15: Tipped Employees Under the FLSA (U.S. Department of Labor). Explains how federal law treats tipped workers, including that tips belong to the employees.
Server pay rules differ by state, so check the rules where you are dining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 15% still an acceptable tip in the US?
Many people see 15% as the lower end for decent table service. Norms vary by region and have drifted upward over the years, so 18% to 20% is now more common. Tip less only if the service was genuinely poor.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Either is accepted. Many people tip on the pre-tax subtotal because sales tax is not part of the service. Tipping on the post-tax total costs slightly more and is also common.
Do I tip on takeout?
It is usually optional. Some people leave a small tip, such as a dollar or two or about 10%, for a large or complicated order, but there is no firm rule.
What is auto-gratuity?
It is a service charge that some restaurants add automatically, most often for larger parties, such as six or more guests. Check the bill before adding more, because you may not need to tip on top.
How do we split the tip when everyone ordered different amounts?
Work out the tip as a percentage of each person's own food and drink, rather than dividing the tip evenly. That way people who ordered less do not cover part of the tip on someone else's meal.
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