Common Tipping Guidelines (U.S.)
Tipping norms vary by service type and by region, but these are commonly cited starting points in the United States:
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 15–20% |
| Delivery | 10–20%, often with a minimum |
| Haircut / salon | 15–20% |
| Rideshare / taxi | 10–15%, or round up |
| Buffet or counter service | 10% or none, varies widely |
These are general starting points, not fixed rules — actual norms vary by country, region, and even individual preference. Outside the U.S., tipping culture differs significantly; some countries expect little to no tipping at all.
How to Calculate a Tip
A tip is a percentage of your bill, added on top as a thank-you for service. The math is simple — the part people usually want help with is splitting it across a group.
Example: $85 bill, 20% tip, split 4 ways
Step 1: Tip = $85 × (20 ÷ 100) = $17.00
Step 2: Total = $85 + $17 = $102.00
Step 3: Per person = $102 ÷ 4 = $25.50
Note: this splits the total evenly across everyone entered. For uneven splits — say, someone ordered significantly more — calculate each person's share of the bill separately before applying the tip percentage.
One more thing worth knowing: whether to tip on the amount before or after tax is a common point of confusion. Standard etiquette suggests tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, though many people simply tip on the receipt total for convenience — see the dedicated guide below for a full breakdown of how tip and tax interact.
Curious how tip and sales tax actually interact?
Read the Tip vs. Sales Tax Guide