Tipping Guide for United States
How much to tip in United States — restaurants, taxis, and bars.
How much to tip in United States
- Restaurants: 💵 Standard tip is 15-20%. 20% is now the norm for good service. Some restaurants add automatic gratuity for larger groups.
- Taxis: 🚕 Tip 15-20% of the fare. Add extra for help with luggage.
- Bars: 🍸 $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of total bill. Bartenders rely on tips.
Quick facts
- Currency: USD ($)
- Say thanks: Keep the change
Common questions
How much should I tip in United States?
In United States, the usual tip is around 20% at restaurants. 💵 Standard tip is 15-20%. 20% is now the norm for good service. Some restaurants add automatic gratuity for larger groups.
Do I need to tip taxi drivers in United States?
🚕 Tip 15-20% of the fare. Add extra for help with luggage.
How do I say thank you in United States?
When receiving good service in United States, you can say “Keep the change”.
The Tipping Culture in the USA
Unlike many other countries, tipping in the US is not optional. It is a critical part of the service industry's wage structure.
The Minimum Wage Reality
In many states, servers are paid a "tipped minimum wage" which can be as low as $2.13 per hour. They rely almost entirely on tips to make a living wage.
Calculations & Etiquette
- Pre-tax vs. Post-tax: Traditionally, tips are calculated on the pre-tax subtotal, but many people just tip on the final total for simplicity.
- Double Tax Rule: In states with ~8-10% sales tax (like NYC or California), a quick trick is to double the tax amount to get a decent tip range (~16-20%).