How much should I tip a waitress or waiter?

15–20% of the pre-tax bill is standard at full-service restaurants, with 20% typical for good service. For exceptional service, many diners go up to 25%. The same percentage applies whether you're dining alone or with a group, though some solo diners round up slightly since a smaller check can otherwise produce a thin tip.

Is a 20% tip standard at restaurants?

Yes — 20% has become the de facto standard for good sit-down table service in the United States. It's a step above the 15–18% baseline and is what most servers expect, etiquette guides recommend, and payment terminals now normalize, especially in major cities where 20–25% is common. On a $60 pre-tax bill, a 20% tip is $12.

Is restaurant tipping different in NYC or other big cities?

In NYC and other major US cities, 20% has become the informal standard, and many locals tip 20–25% to reflect higher menu prices and cost of living. Outside big cities, 15–18% is still commonly accepted.

What's a fair tip for bad service?

Most etiquette guides suggest not going below 10%, and reserving 0% for truly exceptional cases. If service is poor, it's often better to speak with the manager than to eliminate the tip entirely, since tipped staff wages depend heavily on gratuities.

Do large parties get charged a mandatory gratuity?

Many restaurants add an automatic 18–20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more. If it's on the check, enter that total into the calculator's bill field so you don't double-tip — the amount you pay already includes the gratuity.

Do I tip before or after a discount, coupon, gift card, or comped meal?

Tip on the original pre-discount amount, not what you paid. A coupon, gift card, or comped dessert didn't reduce the server's work, so the tip shouldn't shrink either — tip on what the meal would have cost, in cash or added to the card.

Should I tip when a checkout screen suggests a tip amount?

A digital tip prompt at a counter doesn't change the etiquette — at counter-service restaurants where staff earn standard hourly wages, the tip is optional. Screen suggestions are normalized defaults rather than obligations, so leaving a dollar or two, or skipping it, are all acceptable.

Do I tip for a to-go order or when I pick up a delivery-app order myself?

Yes — to-go and self-pickup tipping is lighter than table service, but staff still pack and prep your order. When you pick up a delivery-app order yourself, no driver is involved, so there's no delivery tip; the kitchen or counter staff may merit a dollar or two, or 10% for a large or complicated order.

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

Etiquette guides generally recommend tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, since the tip pays for the service rather than the sales tax the state collects. On a $100 bill with an 8% sales tax, a 20% tip is $20 if you use the pre-tax subtotal, versus $21.60 if you tip on the $108 after-tax total — a $1.60 difference. Either is accepted as long as you're consistent. Use the tax toggle on the calculator to match your method; for a fuller breakdown, see the pre-tax vs. after-tax section on our homepage.

Should I tip more at an upscale or fine-dining restaurant?

The 15–20% baseline still applies at fine-dining restaurants, but many diners tip toward 20–25% given the higher level of table service and attention. Percentages don't scale down as menu prices rise — the service expectation goes up with the bill.

What is a tip-out for servers?

"Tip-out" is when a server shares a percentage of their total tips with support staff — bussers, bartenders, food runners, hosts — rather than a customer calculating it. A typical tip-out runs 10–20% of a server's total tips, split by role, and the exact percentages are set by house policy. This calculator computes a customer's tip on a bill, so a tip-out split among staff is handled manually or in a payroll system, not through the tool above.

What is the difference between a service charge and a tip?

A service charge is an automatic fee the venue adds to the bill (often by the restaurant or for a large party), while a tip is a discretionary amount you choose for the service. A gratuity (or auto-gratuity) goes to the server; a service fee or living wage fee may be kept by the restaurant and may not reach staff — if it's itemized, ask how it's distributed before adding a tip on top. If a service charge or gratuity is already on your check, you're not expected to tip the same amount again, though you may add a little more for outstanding service.

• RESTAURANT TIP CALCULATOR

Restaurant Tip Calculator & Bill Splitter

Bill Amount ($)

Select Tip %

18% • Good

Split BillSolo (1 person)

Don't Tip on TaxSubtract tax amount from total bill before calculating tip

Round Total Bill

Tip Amounttotal tip

$0.00

Total billincludes tip & tax

$0.00

Tip Per Personsplit share

$0.00

Total Per Personsplit share

$0.00

</>Embed this calculator↓

Copy and paste this code to add the calculator to any page:

<div id="tipitsmart-widget-restaurant"></div>
<script src="https://tipitsmart.com/embed/widget.js" data-widget="restaurant" data-target="tipitsmart-widget-restaurant" async></script>

Three Quick Moves Before the Check Arrives

1
Match the bill to the service
Sit-down meal, counter order, or to-go pickup each have their own range — pick what you got.
2
Turn on tax to tip pre-tax
Flip the tax toggle to tip on the pre-tax subtotal, the method etiquette guides recommend.
3
Check auto-gratuity for 6+
If a party of six or more, glance at the check for an added 18–20% before tipping extra.

Heads up: Parties of 6+ often get automatic gratuity — check your bill before tipping extra.

Quick Reference: How Much to Tip at a Restaurant

Not sure what percentage to leave? Grade how attentive your server was, then match that level to a row below.

Service Level	Tip %
Poor service	10%
Adequate / okay service	15%
Good service	18–20%
Excellent service	20–22%
Exceptional / above and beyond	25%+

Tip by Bill Amount: $20 to $150

$20
15% → $3.00
18% → $3.60
20% → $4.00
22% → $4.40
25% → $5.00
$35
15% → $5.25
18% → $6.30
20% → $7.00
22% → $7.70
25% → $8.75
$50
15% → $7.50
18% → $9.00
20% → $10.00
22% → $11.00
25% → $12.50
$75
15% → $11.25
18% → $13.50
20% → $15.00
22% → $16.50
25% → $18.75
$100
15% → $15.00
18% → $18.00
20% → $20.00
22% → $22.00
25% → $25.00
$150
15% → $22.50
18% → $27.00
20% → $30.00
22% → $33.00
25% → $37.50

Not on the list? The calculator above gives the exact figure for any bill total.

State by State

State Tipped Minimum Wages: Why Server Pay Varies

7 statespay the full minimum wage before a cent of tip

In most U.S. states, restaurants may legally pay tipped workers a lower cash wage — as little as the federal $2.13 an hour — on the assumption that tips make up the difference to the full minimum wage. Employers claim a “tip credit” to count tips toward that obligation. A small group of states prohibit tip credits entirely and require tipped employees to be paid the full state minimum wage before any tips are counted. Rates change often, so verify current figures on the U.S. Department of Labor's state minimum wage table.

Full minimum wage — no tip credit

State	Tipped Minimum Wage	Tip Credit Allowed
Alaska	$14.00	No tip credit — full minimum wage
California	$16.90	No tip credit — full minimum wage
Minnesota	$11.41	No tip credit — full minimum wage
Montana	$10.85	No tip credit — full minimum wage
Nevada	$12.00	No tip credit — full minimum wage
Oregon	$15.55 (standard; varies by region)	No tip credit — full minimum wage
Washington	$17.13	No tip credit — full minimum wage

Tip-credit states — the $2.13 floor

Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee — employers may count tips toward the full minimum wage, so server pay leans hardest on your gratuity there.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table (opens in new tab), updated July 2026.

About This Calculator

You've just finished a great meal and the check arrives — now what? Was the tip already added? Should you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total (our tax and tip calculator breaks that down separately)? And how do you split it fairly when everyone ordered differently? This calculator handles the math so you don't have to think about it at the table. Keep reading for the etiquette behind sit-down service, counter service, and large-group auto-gratuity rules.

So, How Much to Tip at a Restaurant?

Tipping a restaurant server can feel tricky at the table, but the numbers are consistent once you know the unwritten rules. For a full-service meal in the US, plan on 18% to 22% of the pre-tax subtotal; the table further down this page grades that by service quality, from 15% for adequate attention up to 25%+ for exceptional service. The sections below walk through counter-service, group splits, takeout, and how the restaurant handles your card so you land on the right figure every time.

Splitting a Group Bill Fairly: Even vs. Itemized splits

Splitting a restaurant bill among a large group of diners can test even the closest friendships. There are two primary methods for dividing the check: the even split and the itemized split. In an even split, the total bill is divided by the number of people, regardless of what each person ordered. This is the simplest and quickest method. It works well when everyone ordered similar items, such as shared appetizers, pizzas, or drinks.

However, if one guest ordered only a side salad and water while another had a steak and several craft cocktails, an even split is unfair. In this case, an itemized split is the best approach. Each diner pays for their specific dishes and beverages, plus their proportional share of the tax and tip. If the restaurant cannot divide the check, one person should pay the entire bill, and the group can calculate individual shares using our calculator. To prevent confusion, establish how the bill will be split before anyone orders.

Calculate a 20% Tip Without a Calculator

You don't always need your phone to figure out a solid tip. Here's a simple two-step trick: move the decimal point one place left (that gives you 10%), then double that number (that gives you 20%).

$85 bill: $85 → $8.50 (10%) × 2 = $17 tip — total $102

$55 bill: $55 → $5.50 (10%) × 2 = $11 tip — total $66

Sit-Down vs. Counter-Service Tipping Etiquette

The style of service at a restaurant dictates the tipping expectations. In a traditional sit-down establishment, the waitstaff handles your experience from start to finish. They guide you to your table, take your order, serve food, refill drinks, and clean up. Because these servers rely on tips for their primary income, the standard tip is 18% to 20% of the bill subtotal, with 15% reserved for adequate service and 22% or more for outstanding attentiveness. For a general guide to restaurant tipping norms, see NerdWallet's guide to how much to tip at restaurants (opens in new tab). If you’re taking a rideshare to or from your meal, plan ahead with the Rideshare Tip Calculator so you’re ready for your driver’s gratuity too.

Counter-service and fast-casual dining follow a different etiquette. At these venues, you order at a counter, pay upfront, and either carry your own food or have a runner bring it to your table. The employees here are generally paid standard hourly wages that do not rely on tips. Tipping at counter-service joints is completely optional. If a digital screen prompts you for a tip, leaving 10% or adding a dollar or two into the tip jar is a nice gesture for exceptional service or customization, but there is no social obligation to do so.

Two other meal styles deserve a mention. At a busy brunch spot, servers turn tables quickly and lean on tip volume, so 18% to 20% on the subtotal is the norm — the same range as a full sit-down meal. At a buffet, there is no table service bringing you refills and clearing plates, so 15% is a comfortable courtesy rather than an obligation, and a few dollars left on the table is often plenty.

Tipping on Takeout and Auto-Gratuity on Large Parties

Tipping on takeout or curbside pickup is another common point of confusion. Unlike table servers, takeout staff are not serving you throughout a meal. However, they do spend time packaging your food, checking the accuracy of the order, adding utensils and condiments, and bringing it to your car. A tip of 10% is standard courtesy for large or complex takeout orders. For a single sandwich or coffee, tipping is optional, though a small token of change is appreciated.

If you are dining with a large group — typically six or more people — be sure to check the menu or the bill for auto-gratuity. Many restaurants automatically apply a service charge (usually 18% or 20%) to large tables to protect their waitstaff from being shorted on a major bill. If auto-gratuity is applied, you are not obligated to tip additional money, as the server is already compensated. You may, however, add an extra cash tip if the server went above and beyond for your group. For bar tabs and per-drink tipping at restaurant bars, visit the Bartender Tip Calculator.

Cash Tips vs. Card Tips at Restaurants: Does It Matter?

Card tips are processed through the restaurant’s payroll system, so they typically land in a server’s next paycheck rather than at the end of the night — and they may be pooled and split across the shift. That timing and distribution difference is why some servers prefer cash.

	Cash Tip	Card Tip
When the money arrives	In hand at the end of the shift	With the next pay cycle, typically 1–2 weeks later
How it reaches the server	Directly, exactly as handed over	Via payroll, often pooled with other staff on the shift