All guides
How Much to Tip — Complete Guide for Every Service
Not sure how much to tip? Browse our guides for every common tipping situation in the United States — from restaurants and food delivery to hotels and rideshare.
Quick rules
General Tipping Rules in the US
When in doubt, 15–20% is a safe and respectful tip for most service situations. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal when possible, and adjust up or down based on service quality.
Is tipping mandatory in the US?
Tipping is not legally required in the US, but it is a deeply embedded cultural practice. Many service workers — especially restaurant servers — earn a tipped minimum wage significantly below the standard minimum wage. In these cases, tips make up the majority of their income.
When is it OK not to tip?
It's acceptable to skip a tip at self-service counters, vending machines, and fast food restaurants where no table service is provided. For genuinely poor service, reducing the tip to 10% rather than skipping it entirely is a common approach.