Utility3 min read·May 6, 2026
How Much Should You Tip? A Simple Guide
Standard tipping percentages for restaurants, delivery, and services in the US — plus how to split a bill fairly.
Standard US tipping rates
- Restaurants (sit-down): 15–20%, with 18% a common default for good service.
- Food delivery: 15–20%, or a $3–5 minimum on small orders.
- Coffee shops / counter service: optional, often a small flat amount or 10%.
- Hairdressers, taxis, rideshare: 15–20%.
Tip on pre-tax or post-tax?
Either is acceptable, but many people tip on the pre-tax subtotal. The difference is usually small. When in doubt, round up — generosity is rarely regretted.
Splitting the bill
To split evenly, add the tip to the total first, then divide by the number of people. Our Tip Calculator does this automatically, including the per-person amount.