Tip Calculator

Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?

US convention is pre-tax. The server earned a tip on the food and service they delivered, not on the state's sales tax rate. Emily Post, the National Restaurant Association, and Miss Manners all agree on pre-tax as the etiquette baseline. However, many POS systems now default to post-tax tip suggestions because it slightly inflates the tip amount (and therefore the credit card processing fee revenue). It is polite but not required to tip on post-tax, especially if service was outstanding and the difference is a few dollars. What matters more is consistency and generosity — never tip less than 15 percent for adequate service or more than 25 percent without a reason.

How do I handle a bill when one person drank and others did not?

The fair method is to calculate each person's subtotal (including their drinks), add tax proportionally, and tip on their individual subtotal. For an 180 USD bill where one person had 36 USD in drinks, the drinker's share is 36 food-adjusted + 7.20 tip (20 percent) = ~43.20 plus their slice of tax. The rest of the bill (144 USD food) splits four ways at 36 each plus 7.20 tip. Most groups skip this precision and split evenly for social simplicity; if the drink differential is material (30+ USD), an itemized split is worth the minute of arithmetic or the Splitwise app.

What percentage is standard in the US today?

The floor for adequate service has crept from 15 percent (1990s norm) to 18 percent (post-2010) and effectively 20 percent (post-2020). Most POS terminals now default-suggest 20, 22, or 25 percent, which has normalized the upper end. For sit-down restaurants 20 percent is the current baseline, 22 to 25 percent for exceptional service. Counter service and takeout are a live debate — 10 to 15 percent is common but not universally expected; the 'tip creep' from POS suggestions has pushed some customers to tip 18 to 20 percent on takeout, which critics argue is over-tipping for service the customer largely provided themselves.

Do I tip on food delivery orders the same as in-restaurant?

Tip the delivery driver separately from any platform fees. On a 40 USD Uber Eats or DoorDash order, 15 to 20 percent (6 to 8 USD) is standard; for longer distances or bad weather, round up. The 'service fee' or 'delivery fee' the app charges does not go to the driver — it goes to the platform. Cash tips are sometimes preferred by drivers because they take 100 percent, whereas in-app tips may be routed through payment processors with a small delay. For small orders (under 20 USD), a flat 3 to 5 USD tip is more respectful than 15 percent, which might only be 2 to 3 USD.

Is tipping expected when traveling abroad?

It varies enormously. In the US and Canada, tipping is expected and underpays service workers if skipped. In the UK, tipping 10 to 12.5 percent is common but service charge is often already included on the bill (check before tipping extra). In continental Europe, rounding up 5 to 10 percent for good service is sufficient; service is typically included in the menu price. In Japan, tipping is uncommon and sometimes refused — excellent service is already expected as part of the wage, not an add-on. In Australia, tipping is not the norm and 10 percent is generous. Research the destination's convention before your first meal — over-tipping in low-tip cultures can be as awkward as under-tipping in high-tip ones.