Tip Calculator
Calculate gratuity and split bills easily among your dining party.
Complete Guide to Tipping in the United States
Tipping (gratuity) in the United States is a customary social norm and a crucial component of earnings for service industry professionals. In American restaurants, hospitality, and personal services, base wages for tipped employees are frequently lower than the standard minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), with tips making up the primary portion of worker take-home compensation.
Standard US Tipping Benchmarks by Industry
Sit-Down Full-Service Dining
15% – 20% of the food and beverage total. 18% is widely considered the standard benchmark for good, attentive service, and 20%+ for exceptional service.
Food Delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
15% – 20% or a minimum flat tip of $3.00 to $5.00, whichever is higher, especially during adverse weather or long distances.
Bartenders
$1.00 to $2.00 per drink for beer and wine, or 18% – 20% of the cumulative bar tab for handcrafted cocktails.
Rideshare & Taxis (Uber, Lyft)
15% – 20% of the fare, with extra consideration if the driver assists with heavy luggage or navigates extreme traffic.
Should You Tip on the Pre-Tax or Post-Tax Amount?
Etiquette experts agree that tipping should be calculated on the pre-tax subtotal of your food and drink bill, rather than the final total after state and municipal taxes have been added. However, in states with modest tax rates (4% to 6%), the financial difference between pre-tax and post-tax tipping is generally negligible (less than a dollar on an average meal).