Restaurant Tip Calculator

How much should you tip your server?

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Enter the service price before tax. Deposits and fees not included.

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Tip on pre-tax subtotal. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total with tax. Tax is paid to the government, not the restaurant.

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Quick reference, common restaurant bill totals

Service total 15% tip 20% tip ★ 25% tip Total (20%)

How much should you tip at a restaurant?

The standard tip at a restaurant is 18–20% of the pre-tax bill. For casual dining, 15–18% is acceptable. For fine dining, 20%+ is expected. Never tip below 15% for satisfactory service.

Restaurant servers in the US earn a federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13/hour. Tips are not optional income. They are a baseline part of pay that makes the job financially viable.

Always tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Tax is paid to the government, not the restaurant. On a $90 bill with $10 tax, tip 20% on $90 ($18), not on $100.

Factors that affect how much to tip

  • Service quality: 15% for adequate service, 18–20% for good service, 22–25% for exceptional service. Consider whether issues were the server's fault or the kitchen's before reducing.
  • Dining type: Fine dining expects 20%+. Casual dining 18–20%. Fast casual/counter service 10–15% or nothing. Full table service always warrants a full tip.
  • Large parties: Most restaurants add automatic 18–20% gratuity for parties of 6+. Check your bill before adding more.
  • Discounts and coupons: Always tip on the full pre-discount price. A $90 meal covered by a $40 coupon deserves an $18 tip (20% of $90), not $8 (20% of $40).
  • Takeout tips are optional but appreciated, at 10–15% for complex orders. No tip is socially acceptable for simple pickup.

Restaurant tipping etiquette

Tip at the end of the meal, not before. Leave cash on the table or add it to the card receipt. Cash is preferred because it reaches your server immediately.

If service was genuinely poor, speak to a manager rather than eliminating the tip entirely. A 10% tip signals dissatisfaction; zero signals you forgot or are being unfair.

For buffets, tip 10%. Someone is still clearing your plates, refilling drinks, and maintaining the buffet. For open bar service at events, $1–2 per drink is standard.

Frequently asked questions

How much should you tip at a restaurant?
Standard is 18–20% of the pre-tax bill. For casual dining, 15–18% is acceptable. For fine dining, 20%+ is expected. Never tip below 15% for satisfactory service.
Should you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Tax is paid to the government, not the restaurant. On a $90 bill with $10 tax, tip 20% on $90 ($18), not on $100 ($20). The difference is small but pre-tax is the standard convention.
How much do you tip for bad service?
For poor service, 10% is acceptable. Before reducing your tip, consider whether the problem was the server's fault (attentiveness, attitude) or the kitchen's (food quality, timing). Servers don't control kitchen speed. For truly unacceptable service, speak to a manager.
How much do you tip if the bill is split?
Tip based on the total bill amount, not your individual portion. If a $200 bill is split 4 ways, each person owes their $50 share plus $10 tip (20% of their portion), for $60 each. Don't tip only on what you paid.
Do you tip at fast casual or counter service restaurants?
Fast casual (Chipotle, Panera) has no tip expectation. Counter service with table delivery warrants 10–15%. Sit-down restaurants with full table service expect 18–20%. The line blurs with tablet tip prompts — 10% is a reasonable middle ground for counter service where staff bring your food.
How much do you tip for a large party?
Most restaurants add an automatic 18–20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more. Check your bill — if gratuity is already included, no additional tip is required. If you want to tip more for exceptional service, add it manually.
Is it rude not to tip at a restaurant?
Yes. In the US, restaurant servers earn $2.13/hour federally — tips are not optional income. Not tipping for satisfactory service is considered very rude and effectively underpays your server for their labor. The only exception is genuine service failure.
How much do you tip for takeout?
Takeout tips are optional but appreciated — 10–15% is kind for complex orders or regular customers. For simple pickup orders, $1–2 is acceptable. No tip is socially acceptable for takeout, unlike table service.
Should you tip on the full bill if you used a coupon?
Tip on the pre-discount total. A coupon reduces your cost, not your server's service. If your $80 meal is discounted to $50, tip 20% on $80 ($16), not on $50 ($10). Your server provided the same service regardless of the coupon.
How much do you tip a sommelier or wine steward?
Tip the sommelier $5–10 per bottle for guidance, or include an additional $20–30 in your server tip if the sommelier provided significant assistance. At fine dining establishments, tipping the sommelier separately is expected.

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