Tipping confuses many visitors to the United States, and it is easy to see why. In much of the world, service is included in the price or a small tip is a pleasant extra. In the US, tips make up a large part of many service workers' pay, and leaving nothing at a sit-down restaurant is seen as a clear statement that something went badly wrong. The good news is that the norms are fairly consistent, and once you know them, budgeting is easy.
Restaurants with table service
This is the most important one. At a restaurant where a server takes your order and brings food to the table, the usual tip is 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax. Many people in big cities such as San Francisco and Boston now treat 18 to 20 percent as standard for good service, and go higher for excellent service. Lower than 15 percent signals a real problem.
Before you tip, read the bill carefully:
- Service charges. Some restaurants add a service charge or automatic gratuity, especially for larger groups. If it is there, you do not need to add a full tip on top.
- Surcharges. Some restaurants, including a number in San Francisco, add a separate surcharge, often described as covering staff benefits. This is usually not a tip, so ask if you are unsure.
- Sales tax. Menu prices do not include tax, which is added on the bill. Tip on the pre-tax amount.
When paying by card, the server usually brings a slip with a line for the tip, or a handheld machine that offers percentage buttons. Some of those buttons calculate the tip on the total including tax; you can always enter your own amount.
Bars
At a bar, tip a little for each drink, or 15 to 20 percent of the tab if you are running one. Bartenders tend to remember people who tip well, which can make a difference on a busy night.
Counter service, cafes and tip screens
At coffee shops, bakeries and fast-casual places where you order at a counter, payment screens now often swing around to show tip options. Here, tipping is genuinely optional. Many people leave a small tip or round up for a coffee or a made-to-order item, and skip it for a bottle of water or a pastry handed over a counter. Choosing "no tip" on a screen is normal and acceptable.
Getting around
- Taxis: 15 to 20 percent of the fare is standard, a little more if the driver helped with heavy bags.
- Ride-hail cars: the app usually prompts you to add a tip after the ride; 15 to 20 percent is common.
- Airport shuttles and porters: a small tip per bag is customary for anyone who handles your luggage.
- Valet parking: tip when the car is brought back to you.
Public transit drivers, including those on BART, Muni and the MBTA, are not tipped.
Hotels
- Housekeeping: leave a small cash tip each day rather than at the end, as different staff may clean your room on different days. A note saying it is for housekeeping avoids confusion.
- Bell staff: a small tip per bag when they carry luggage to your room.
- Concierge: nothing for directions, but a tip is appropriate if they secure a hard-to-get reservation or solve a real problem.
- Front desk: not tipped.
Tours, hair and other services
Tour guides are commonly tipped at the end of a tour, and on "free" walking tours, the tip is the guide's pay, so give what the tour was worth to you. Hairdressers, barbers, spa and nail staff are usually tipped 15 to 20 percent. Food delivery drivers expect a tip, usually added in the app.
Who you do not tip
Shop staff in retail stores, airline staff, hotel front desk staff, museum staff and most government or transit workers are not tipped. If you are ever unsure, it is fine to ask politely whether service is included.
Practical tips
- Carry some small bills for housekeeping, porters and bars, even if you pay for most things by card.
- Budget for it. Add roughly a fifth to your expected restaurant spending. Our guide to city trips on a budget has more on planning costs.
- Tip in dollars. Foreign coins and notes are not useful to the person receiving them.
Frequently asked questions
Do I tip on the total including tax?
The traditional rule is to tip on the pre-tax amount, but many people simply tip on the total. Either is acceptable.
What if the service was bad?
Leaving a smaller tip is understood. For serious problems, speak to a manager rather than leaving nothing without explanation.
Is tipping the same across the US?
The norms are broadly similar nationwide, including in San Francisco and Boston, though individual restaurants may handle service charges differently. Read the bill and, when planning your city break, budget for tips.