Tipping norms vary by country, service, and situation, which is what makes them confusing. This guide covers the common US conventions, the pre-tax vs post-tax question, and how to split a bill — plus a quick table so you can tip without doing mental math.
Standard US tipping by service
These are customary ranges in the United States. They're conventions, not rules — adjust for exceptional or poor service.
| Service | Customary tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (table service) | 15–20% |
| Bartender | $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% |
| Food delivery | 10–15% (min ~$3–5) |
| Taxi / rideshare | 10–15% |
| Hairdresser / barber | 15–20% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night |
Pre-tax or post-tax?
Traditionally, tips are calculated on the pre-tax subtotal — you're tipping on the service, not the government's tax. Tipping on the post-tax total is also common and only adds a little. Either is fine; just pick one and be consistent. The Tip Calculator lets you enter whichever bill figure you prefer.
Splitting the bill
For an even split, add the tip to the bill and divide by the number of people. For example, a $90 bill with a 20% tip is $108 total; split four ways that's $27 each. If everyone ordered very differently, splitting by item and tipping the same percentage on each share is fairer than an even split.
A quick tip table
Tip amounts for common bills at the three most-used percentages:
| Bill | 15% | 18% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 |
Tipping around the world
Tipping customs differ widely. In much of Europe a service charge is often included and a small round-up is plenty; in Japan tipping can even be considered rude; in many countries 5–10% is generous. When traveling, check local norms rather than applying US percentages.