The standard restaurant tip in the US is 18–20% for good service. But the right amount depends on the type of restaurant, the quality of service, and where you are in the world.
Either is acceptable — the difference is usually small. Most people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity, which is what most restaurant tip calculators do automatically. Tipping on the pre-tax amount is technically the traditional approach, but it is now more common to tip on the full bill.
Fine dining: 20–25% is expected. Service is more attentive and the server is usually responsible for your entire experience including wine pairings and multiple courses.
Casual sit-down: 18–20% is the standard. This covers most everyday restaurants where a server takes your order and brings your food.
Buffet restaurants: 5–10% is appreciated for the server who clears plates and refills drinks, even though you serve yourself.
Fast food and counter service: No tip is traditionally expected, though digital tip prompts are now common. Tipping 0–10% is entirely optional.
Food delivery: 15–20% is standard. Drivers cover their own gas and vehicle costs, so tipping is especially important.
💡 Quick tip: To calculate 20% in your head, divide the bill by 10 and then double it. For a $45 bill — $4.50 × 2 = $9 tip.
If service was genuinely poor — not just slow due to a busy restaurant — tipping 10–15% is acceptable. If there was a specific problem (wrong order, rude behavior), speak to a manager rather than reducing the tip, as tips are often shared among the entire staff.
Outside the US, tipping rules change dramatically. In Japan and South Korea, do not tip at all. In Europe, 5–10% is optional. In Australia, tipping is not expected but appreciated. Always check local customs before traveling.
The standard restaurant tip in 2026 is 18-20% for good service. The old 15% baseline has shifted upward. For exceptional service, 20-25%. For poor service, 10-15% is acceptable. US servers earn a tipped minimum wage of $2.13/hour and depend on tips as their primary income.
In 2026, 15% is considered below the current standard for sit-down restaurant service. Most etiquette experts now cite 18-20% as the baseline for good service. US servers earn $2.13/hour and genuinely depend on tips.
Either is acceptable — both are widely practiced. Tipping on pre-tax is technically correct per etiquette authorities like Emily Post. Most people tip on the post-tax total because that's the number they see. The difference on a $100 bill is under $2.
Enter your bill amount and split between friends — our free calculator does the rest.
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