Tip Calculator 2026
Calculate tip amount and split the bill among any group size. Includes 2026 standard tip percentages for restaurants, bars, delivery, and services.
Last updated April 2026 · Sources: National Restaurant Association tipping survey 2025, Pew Research tipping attitudes survey, US Department of Labor wage and hour data
Your bill
Your split
Standard tip rates by service in 2026
Tipping varies by service type. Use these as starting points; adjust up for great service or down for poor service.
| Service | Standard tip | Good service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18-20% | 22-25% | Of pre-tax bill |
| Restaurant delivery | 15-20% | 20-25% | $5 minimum |
| Pizza delivery | 15-20% | 20% | $3-5 minimum |
| Restaurant takeout | 10-15% | 15% | Optional but expected |
| Bartender (per drink) | $1-2 | $2-3 | Or 15-20% of tab |
| Coffee shop | $1-2 | 10-15% | Voluntary |
| Hairdresser / barber | 15-20% | 20-25% | Of service cost |
| Taxi / rideshare | 15-20% | 20-25% | In-app or cash |
| Hotel housekeeping | $3-5/night | $5-10/night | Daily, in cash |
| Furniture delivery | $5-10/person | $10-20/person | Difficulty matters |
These are American norms. Tipping standards vary dramatically internationally. In Japan, tipping can be considered rude. In most of Europe, 5-10% is generous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant in 2026?
Standard restaurant tipping in the US in 2026 is 18-20% of the pre-tax bill for adequate service, 20-25% for great service, and 15% as a minimum for poor service. Tipping less than 15% sends a message of unhappiness with service. Tipping over 25% is generous but not expected. Some restaurants now suggest 20%, 22%, and 25% as default options on their checkout screens, which has shifted the social norm slightly upward.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Technically you only need to tip on the pre-tax amount because tax is not part of the service the restaurant provides. In practice, many people just tip on the total because the difference is small (a few dollars on a typical meal). If you want to be precise, calculate the tip on the subtotal before sales tax. In high-tax states like California (8-10%), this can save several dollars per meal.
What is a good tip percentage for delivery?
Restaurant delivery: 15-20%, with $5 as a reasonable minimum even on small orders. Grocery delivery (Instacart, Shipt): 15-20% of the order, more in bad weather or for large/heavy orders. Furniture and appliance delivery: $5-20 per person depending on difficulty. Pizza delivery: 15-20% with a $3-5 minimum. Always tip in cash if possible — drivers receive cash tips immediately while card tips go through the platform with delays.
How much should I tip a hairdresser or barber?
15-20% of the service cost is standard for hair stylists, barbers, and colorists. For a $60 haircut, that is $9-12. If multiple people worked on you (shampoo person plus stylist), tip each of them separately. For chair rentals or salon owners who do the work themselves, tipping is still customary. Some upscale salons quietly suggest higher tips of 20-25%.
Do I tip on takeout orders?
Tipping on takeout is increasingly expected but not strictly required. A typical guideline is 10% for takeout, 15-20% for sit-down service. Some argue takeout requires significant work too — taking the order, packing it carefully, handing it off — so 10-15% has become more common. Tip jars near the counter are voluntary; a few dollars is appropriate when you appreciate the service.
What is a reasonable tip for a large group?
Many restaurants automatically add an 18-20% gratuity for groups of 6 or more. This should be disclosed on the menu and called out by the server. If automatic gratuity is added, you do not need to tip extra unless service was exceptional. If automatic gratuity is not added, tip the standard 18-20% on the total bill. Splitting a large group bill manually using a tip calculator is easier than mental math.
How do I split a bill with different orders per person?
Either ask the server for separate checks at the start (best for groups of 4 or fewer), use a bill-splitting app that lets each person select their items, or have one person pay and use a bill-splitting app like Splitwise to settle up later. For simple even splits, this calculator divides everything evenly which works fine when meals are similar in price.
Do I tip in countries other than the US?
Tipping norms vary widely. US is 15-25% expected. Canada and UK are similar at 10-15%. Most of Europe is 5-10% optional or rounding up. Japan has no tipping culture at all (and tipping can even be considered rude). Australia and New Zealand do not require tipping. China generally does not require tipping outside high-end Western hotels. Always research the country before traveling.
Should I tip on alcohol the same as food?
Yes for table service — the bartender or server brought it to your table. At a bar where you order drinks directly from the bartender, the standard is $1-2 per drink for simple drinks and 15-20% on the total tab for cocktails. For bottle service or ordering wine at a fancy restaurant, 18-20% on the total including the wine is standard.
What does the tip percentage mean for the server?
For most US restaurant servers, tips are the majority of their income because tipped minimum wages are very low ($2.13/hour federally, $7.25-15.50 in different states). On a $100 bill with a 20% tip, the $20 tip is what the server takes home for serving you. Several servers may share tips with bussers, food runners, and bartenders through tip pooling. Cash tips go to the server immediately; card tips appear on their next paycheck.
Is tipping mandatory or optional?
Legally optional in the US — you cannot be required to leave a voluntary tip unless the restaurant has an automatic gratuity policy clearly disclosed (most common for groups of 6 or more). Socially expected for sit-down restaurant service in the US, however. Many people consider not tipping at all to be deeply rude unless the service was actively bad. The line between "small tip as protest" and "no tip" is meaningful in service worker culture.
Why do tip percentages keep going up?
A combination of factors: restaurant prices have not kept up with rising food and labor costs, so servers depend more on tips to make a livable income; payment screens now default to higher percentages (20%, 22%, 25%); social norms have drifted upward gradually since pre-pandemic when 15% was standard; and tipping has expanded into new areas (coffee shops, takeout) where it was rare a decade ago. Some critics argue this represents shifting wage costs from restaurant owners onto customers.
Sources: National Restaurant Association tipping survey 2025, Pew Research Center tipping attitudes 2024, US Department of Labor tipped wage data, Bankrate tipping trends survey 2026.
Disclaimer: Standard guidelines only. Tipping norms vary by region, occasion, and individual judgment. Always tip what feels right for the service received.