Tipping rates by situation
| Situation | Standard tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant, full service | 18–20% |
| Bar | 15–18% or $1–2 per drink |
| Food delivery | 15–20% ($3–$5 min) |
| Takeout / counter pickup | 0–10% (optional) |
| Hair salon | 15–20% (20% standard) |
| Massage, spa or chain | 15–20% (20% standard) |
| House cleaner, one-time | 15–20% or $10–$20 |
| Barber | 15–20% or $5–$10 |
| Tattoo artist | 15–20% |
| Facial / spa | 15–20% |
| Furniture delivery | $5–$20 per person |
| Valet | $2–$5 per car |
| Car wash, full service | $2–$5 |
These are the widely cited US norms for 2026. Percentages apply to the pre-tax subtotal unless noted.
Three rules that cover everything else
- Tip on the pre-tax subtotal. This is the etiquette standard. Tipping on the post-tax total quietly inflates your tip by 8–10% without better service behind it. See the exact difference on your bill.
- A service charge is the tip. If the bill already includes an 18–20% service charge, that's the gratuity — adding another 20% on top means tipping twice. Enter it in the calculator and it's removed from the tip base automatically.
- 20% is the safe default. For good service in any tipping situation, 20% is never wrong. Drop to 15% for merely okay service, below that only for genuine problems — and go above 20% when someone earns it.
Tipping guides, in depth
Short on time? The table above covers it. Want the full etiquette — owners, assistants, discounts, awkward edge cases? Read the deep dives:
Do the math in seconds
Knowing the percentage is half the battle — the other half is splitting it without the awkward phone-calculator huddle. The free tip calculator handles pre-tax/post-tax, even and by-item splitting, and service charges. For deliveries, the delivery tip calculator adds mileage and weather.
Frequently asked questions
How much should you tip at a restaurant in 2026?
18–20% of the pre-tax bill is the widely cited standard for full-service restaurants — 15% for adequate service, 20% for good service, 20–25% for exceptional. At bars, 15–18% or $1–2 per drink.
Do you tip before or after tax?
Before tax — the pre-tax subtotal is the etiquette standard. Tipping on the post-tax total typically adds 8–10% to your tip without any extra service behind it.
How much do you tip for food delivery?
15–20% of the food subtotal with a $3–$5 minimum on small orders, plus $1–$2 per mile on longer drives and extra in bad weather. Tip on the subtotal — delivery fees and taxes go to the platform, not the driver.
Are you supposed to tip on takeout?
It's optional — counter-service tipping is one of the most debated norms in 2026. Tipping 0–10% for a simple pickup is widely considered acceptable; tip more if the order was large or complicated.
What is a service charge — do you still tip on top of it?
Usually no. A service charge (often 18–20%) is the gratuity in most cases. Adding a full tip on top means tipping twice — the most common and most expensive tipping mistake.
How much do you tip at the hair salon?
15–20% of the service price, with 20% the standard for good service. Tip on the full price before discounts, and hand assistants $3–$10 in cash separately. Full salon guide.
Do you tip a massage therapist?
15–20% at a spa or chain, with 20% standard for good service. Tipping is optional for an independent therapist who sets their own rates, and not expected in medical settings. Full massage guide.
Should you tip a house cleaner?
For one-time or deep cleans, yes — 15–20% or $10–$20. For recurring visits, skip the per-visit tip and give a periodic bonus instead. Full house cleaner guide.
How do you split a restaurant bill fairly?
Divide tax and tip proportionally — each person's share should match their share of the subtotal. Even splits only feel fair when everyone ordered roughly the same. The tip calculator's by-item mode does the proportional math and reconciles every cent.
What's the easiest way to calculate a tip?
Move the decimal left one place on the pre-tax bill and double it — that's 20% ($48.00 → $4.80 → $9.60). Or skip the mental math entirely with the free tip calculator: no signup, no ads.