How Much Should You Tip? A Simple Tipping Guide

By the Tool Goodie Team · Updated July 4, 2026 · 5 min read

In the United States, 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard tip for sit-down restaurant service, with 20% common for good service. Other services have their own norms, and in many countries tipping is minimal or already built in. Below is a quick guide to what's customary, plus the fastest way to work out any tip in your head.

Key takeaways

US restaurants: 15–20% is standard; 20% for good service.
Fast method: find 10% (move the decimal left), then double it for 20%.
Tipping customs vary a lot by country — many include service instead.
Split a bill and add a tip instantly with the tip calculator.

Standard tipping percentages (US)

Service	Typical tip
Sit-down restaurant	15–20% (20% for good service)
Food delivery	10–15%, or a $3–5 minimum
Coffee shop / counter service	Optional; $1 or rounding up
Bartender	$1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of the tab
Taxi / rideshare	10–15%
Hairdresser / barber	15–20%
Hotel housekeeping	$2–5 per night

These are guidelines, not rules. Tip more for exceptional service or a difficult request, and less (or speak to a manager) for genuinely poor service.

The fastest way to calculate a tip

You don't need to multiply by 0.18 in your head. Use the 10% trick:

Find 10% by moving the decimal one place to the left. On a $60 bill, 10% is $6.
For 20%, double it → $12.
For 15%, take 10% plus half of that → $6 + $3 = $9.
For 18%, land between 15% and 20% → about $11.

It's quick, and it's accurate enough that no one's ever going to quibble over a few cents.

Splitting the bill? The free Tip Calculator works out the tip, the total, and the amount per person for any bill and group size — no awkward mental math at the end of the meal.

Tipping around the world

Tipping culture is far from universal, so it's worth knowing before you travel:

United States & Canada — tipping is expected and a real part of service workers' income (15–20%).
United Kingdom & much of Europe — a service charge is often included; if not, 10% is generous. Rounding up is common.
Japan & South Korea — tipping is not customary and can even cause confusion.
Australia & New Zealand — tipping is optional; staff are paid a full wage.

When in doubt, check whether a "service charge" already appears on the bill — if it does, an additional tip is optional.

Frequently asked questions

How much should you tip at a restaurant?

In the United States, 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is standard for sit-down restaurant service, with 20 percent common for good service. Customs vary by country, so adjust to local norms.

How do you quickly calculate a 20% tip?

Find 10% by moving the decimal one place left, then double it. On a $60 bill, 10% is $6, so a 20% tip is $12.

Do you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total?

Tipping is traditionally based on the pre-tax amount, though many people simply tip on the full total for convenience. Either is acceptable.