Tip Calculator
Split any bill with a custom tip percentage. See the per-person total instantly.
Tipping Conventions Around the World
Tipping varies dramatically by country, culture, and even by service type within the same country. Here's a global cheat sheet — based on hospitality industry surveys and travel sources like Wikipedia's gratuity overview:
| Country / Region | Restaurant Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 15-22% | Now creeping toward 20-25% baseline; many POS screens default to 18-22% |
| Canada | 15-20% | Similar to US |
| UK | 10-15% | Often included as "service charge"; check the bill |
| Germany / Austria | 5-10% | Round up to next whole euro or 10% |
| France | 0-10% | "Service compris" is included; small extra appreciated |
| Italy / Spain | 0-10% | Round-up or small €5 note for very good service |
| Switzerland | 0-10% | Service is included; small round-up appreciated |
| Japan | 0% | Tipping can be considered rude; refuse politely if returned |
| South Korea | 0% | Not part of culture; service charge sometimes added |
| China | 0% | Not expected; some hotels add service charge |
| Australia / NZ | 0-10% | Not required; appreciated for great service |
| Mexico | 10-15% | Expected at restaurants; check bill for propina |
| Middle East (UAE, etc.) | 10-15% | Often included; extra cash welcome |
What used to be 10% is now 22%
In 1950, the standard U.S. tip was around 10%. By 1980 it had drifted to 15%. By 2010, 18% was the new baseline. By 2024, many point-of-sale (POS) systems present 18% / 22% / 25% as the default options — with 20% labeled as "average." This phenomenon, dubbed "tipflation", has been driven by:
- Tablet checkout systems that prompt for tips on transactions that never used to involve them (coffee shop counter, fast-casual takeout, retail purchases).
- Inflation in service wages — minimum-wage server pay hasn't kept pace, so the gap is filled by tips.
- Social pressure dynamics — customers feel watched while selecting from preset options.
A 2024 Pew Research survey found 72% of Americans report being asked to tip more often than five years ago, and 59% say they tip the same or less when faced with too-high preset options. The cultural negotiation is still in progress; pick a number you'd defend in conversation, not the one the POS pushes.
Should You Tip on Pre-Tax or Post-Tax?
Etiquette guides traditionally say pre-tax. In practice, most people tip on the post-tax total — it's a small difference at typical sales tax rates (a couple of dollars on a $80 dinner). The calculator above lets you decide; enter whichever bill number you prefer to tip on.
The Right Way to Split a Bill
For most groups, splitting evenly is fastest and avoids drama, even if one person had a $4 cheaper salad. For unequal splits (someone had two cocktails, another had only water), itemize the bill, calculate each person's subtotal, apply the same tax and tip percentage proportionally, and divide that way. Most modern POS systems will split a check 2-4 ways without complaint.
When Tipping Is and Isn't Expected (USA)
| Service | Tip Expectation |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18-22% |
| Bartender (per drink) | $1-2 simple drink, $2-3 cocktail |
| Food delivery (DoorDash etc.) | 15-20% (drivers depend on it) |
| Pizza delivery | $3-5 minimum, or 15% |
| Coffee shop (counter service) | $0-1, optional |
| Hair stylist / barber | 15-20% |
| Uber / Lyft | 10-20% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2-5/night left in room |
| Hotel concierge | $5-20 for special help |
| Movers | $20-40 per mover |
| Self-checkout | Nothing — ignore the prompt |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tip for takeout?
Cultural norms vary, but 10% on takeout is a common U.S. middle ground — recognizing the packing/staging work without matching full table-service expectation. Delivery apps usually expect 15-20% because drivers' base pay is low.
What if the service was bad?
Reducing the tip is the traditional signal. Going below 10% communicates seriously poor service. If something was genuinely wrong, mentioning it to a manager is more productive than stiffing a server who may not even be the cause.
Are tips taxed?
In the U.S., reported tip income is taxable to the recipient and subject to income tax + FICA. From the customer's side, sales tax usually applies to food but not to the tip itself. Some states do tax mandatory service charges differently from voluntary tips.
Is automatic gratuity (auto-grat) a tip?
Legally, mandatory service charges are not tips — they're additional fees that the restaurant owns and can distribute as they choose. Voluntary tips legally belong to the server in most states. Auto-grat is most common for large parties (6+) and at high-end resorts.