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There is no single percentage that works in every situation. The reliable first step is to read the bill or contract: voluntary tips, automatic gratuities, service charges, delivery fees, and suggested touchscreen tips are different charges with different implications.
In the United States, the most useful tipping rule is simple: read the bill or contract before adding anything. A voluntary tip, an automatic gratuity, a service charge, an administrative fee, and a touchscreen suggestion can look similar at checkout, but they are not the same thing.
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A customary percentage is a starting point, not a legal requirement or a reason to spend beyond your budget. Local practice, the kind of service, the venue, and the written terms all matter. The ranges below are practical U.S.-focused etiquette guidance current as of August 2026.
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| Situation | Customary starting point | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant with wait service | 15–20% of the pre-tax bill | Check first for an automatic gratuity or service charge. |
| Buffet | About 10% pre-tax | There is still table and dining-room service, but less than in full table service. |
| Bar | $1–$2 per drink or 15–20% of the tab | Choose one method; using both is an intentional extra, not a requirement. |
| Counter service, coffee, or tip jar | No general obligation | Consider up to 10% when there is meaningful extra service or a large, complex order. |
| Takeout pickup | No general obligation | Up to 10% can make sense for curbside service or substantial extra work. |
| Restaurant delivery | 10–15% | Consider order size, distance, weather, stairs, late hours, and drop-off difficulty. |
| Taxi | 15–20% of fare; $1 minimum | Add separately for bag handling where appropriate. |
| Rideshare | Voluntary | Use the app’s current options or cash; do not assume a platform fee is a tip. |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–$5 per day | Leave it daily because housekeeping staff may rotate. |
| Bell staff | $2 for the first bag, then $1 per additional bag | Give it at the time of service; add for substantial extra help. |
| Hotel valet | $2–$5 when the car is returned | Tip at the time of service, rather than treating it as part of the room bill. |
| Concierge | None for simple directions; $5–$10 for tickets or reservations | More may be appropriate for difficult-to-get bookings or extensive assistance. |
| Hairdresser or stylist | 15–20% common baseline; 15–25% commonly published range | Tip an assistant separately if they provided a distinct service. |
| Restroom attendant | $0.50–$3 where this role is present | This is not universal; base it on the service provided and local custom. |
These are commonly published etiquette ranges, not wage law, tax advice, or universal rules. They do not cover every profession, country, or employment arrangement.
Restaurants: calculate once, after checking the bill
For an ordinary full-service meal, 15–20% of the pre-tax check is a clear customary baseline. A buffet commonly calls for about 10% pre-tax because service still exists, even though the service model differs.
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Large parties, tasting menus, banquets, and private dining require an extra pause. The mandatory charge may appear on the menu, reservation page, event agreement, or final receipt. If 20% has already been added, verify what it is before deciding whether to leave anything additional. A second 20% is a choice, not an automatic calculation.
At the bar, use either the per-drink approach or a percentage of the total tab. For a host or maître d’, routine greeting and seating do not create a general tipping obligation. A $10–$20 tip is better reserved for genuinely above-and-beyond help, such as finding a table on a crowded night.
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Counter prompts, coffee shops, and pickup orders
A tip jar or payment screen is an invitation, not proof that a tip is customary. The useful question is not “Did the screen ask?” but “Did someone provide service beyond the ordinary transaction?”
For a standard counter purchase or a simple pickup order, no general tip is expected. Consider an optional amount—up to about 10% is a reasonable published example—when staff provided meaningful extra help, such as curbside handoff, careful accommodation of a large or complicated order, or service that went well beyond taking payment. Being a regular may also be a reason some customers choose to tip, but it remains voluntary.
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For restaurant delivery, 10–15% is a useful starting point. On a low-cost order, a strictly percentage-based amount can be very small, so it is reasonable to consider the actual work involved rather than the food price alone. Long distance, difficult parking, bad weather, stairs, a bulky order, late-night delivery, and a safe, careful drop-off can all matter. There is no reliable universal surcharge formula.
Separate platform mechanics from etiquette. A delivery fee may be kept by the merchant or platform and should not be assumed to be the driver’s tip. Inspect the checkout breakdown if it matters to your decision. DoorDash states that it sends 100% of tips it receives to the associated Dasher or Dashers, in addition to base pay and promotions; customers can generally tip at checkout or after delivery.
For Uber rides, tipping remains voluntary. Uber permits both cash and in-app tips, says riders can add an app tip for up to 30 days after the trip, and says it takes no service fee from tips. App interfaces and policies can change, so use the platform’s own current help information when you need a precise distribution detail.
Hotels, taxis, and rideshares
Hotel housekeeping is best handled per day, not merely at checkout: $2–$5 daily is a practical range. Staff can change from one day to the next, so leave a clearly marked note each day or use the hotel’s QR, app, or other digital tipping option where offered.
Tip bell staff when bags are handled and valet attendants when your car is returned. A concierge need not be tipped for giving simple directions, but $5–$10 is a useful starting point for obtaining tickets or making reservations, with more for unusually difficult or valuable assistance. If the same concierge assists throughout a stay, tipping at checkout can be practical. A resort or destination fee should not be assumed to include a staff tip.
For taxis, a customary range is 15–20% of the fare, with a $1 minimum and additional consideration for bag handling. Rideshare tipping is voluntary; use cash or the app if you choose. Do not offer a front-desk tip as though it purchases an upgrade, and do not expect one in return.
Hair, salon, and personal services
For hair services, 15–20% is a common baseline and 15–25% is a commonly published range. It is a social convention, not an entitlement. When an assistant shampoos, colors, blow-dries, or otherwise performs a distinct part of the service, tipping that person separately is often considerate. Avoid treating a generic dollar rule for every personal service as universal; local practices and salon policies differ.
Weddings, parties, and event vendors
Read every contract before preparing envelopes. Catering agreements and venue packages often spell out gratuity or service charges. When gratuity is listed, an additional tip is generally unnecessary unless you independently want to give more for exceptional service. Do not assume that an administrative or service charge has the same meaning or distribution as a voluntary gratuity—ask if the document does not explain it.
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Where gratuity is not included, the following are useful planning references:
| Vendor or service | Common planning reference when not included |
|---|---|
| Catering/waitstaff | 15–20% of the food-and-drink fee, to be divided among staff |
| Maître d’ | $200–$300 |
| Bartenders | 15–20% of the drink fee |
| DJ | $50–$150 |
| Photographer or videographer | $50–$200 per team member or 5–15% of the contract; appreciated, but not generally expected for photographers |
| Wedding coordinator | $50–$150 |
| Hair and makeup | 15–25% |
| Delivery/setup staff | $10–$50 per person |
| Valet | $1–$5 per car, divided among attendants |
| Transportation driver | 15–20% of the bill or $50 per driver |
Treat this as a budgeting tool, not a statement that anyone is owed a particular amount. The vendor’s role, ownership, performance, event scale, local custom, and signed contract all change the answer. Cash envelopes prepared in advance and entrusted to a reliable friend or coordinator are conventional, but checks and mobile payments may also work when the vendor accepts them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A short legal and tax note
Tipping customs are not the same as wage law. Under federal law, an eligible employer may claim a tip credit and pay a direct cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour, but the employee must still receive at least the federal $7.25 minimum wage when direct wages and tips are combined; the employer must make up any shortfall. State and local laws may require more.
For federal tax purposes, employee tips are income and can include cash, card-paid, pooled, and noncash tips. A compulsory service charge paid to an employee is treated as wages rather than a tip. Those distinctions matter to employers and workers, but they do not turn voluntary etiquette guidance into personal tax advice.
When U.S. rules do not apply
Do not export U.S. percentages. Tipping norms abroad may be lower, higher, already included, or culturally unwelcome. For international travel, check current guidance from an official tourism authority, your hotel, cruise line, or a credible destination-specific source. Within the United States, a local practice, a clearly disclosed invoice, or a signed contract should also take precedence over a generic table.
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For a broader etiquette reference, Emily Post’s Etiquette: The Centennial Edition is an optional resource. It can help with social conventions, but it does not override local law, a business’s disclosed charges, or the terms you signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to tip when a payment screen asks?
No. A touchscreen suggestion is generally optional. Consider whether staff provided meaningful service beyond the ordinary transaction, and choose the amount—if any—that fits your budget.
Should I tip on top of an automatic gratuity or service charge?
Not automatically. First determine whether it is a compulsory service charge or included gratuity and ask how it is handled. Adding more is optional and is best reserved for service you want to recognize.
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Is a delivery fee the driver’s tip?
No. A delivery fee is a platform or merchant charge and is not necessarily paid to the driver. Review the checkout breakdown and the platform’s current policy.
Why should hotel housekeeping be tipped per day?
Leave the amount daily rather than only at checkout, because the staff member cleaning your room may change from day to day. A clearly marked note or the hotel’s digital tipping option can help.
The Bottom Line
Tip voluntarily and deliberately: check for included charges first, use customary ranges as a starting point, and never mistake a fee or a payment-screen prompt for an automatic obligation.
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