How Much to Tip? The Complete 2026 U.S. Tipping Guide
Updated 2026-05-23 · U.S. tipping reference
Tipping in the U.S. in 2026 sits at 18–20% for sit-down restaurants, with 20% as the most common default for good service. Rideshare and food delivery have converged at 15–20% with a $2–$5 minimum. Personal services (hair, nails, massage) are tipped 18–20% of the menu price, and flat-fee services (movers, valet, hotel housekeeping) are tipped per person or per night. Use the calculator above, then jump to the service you need below.
Tip calculator
U.S. norm is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal.
Advanced — tip on pre-tax amount
- Tip
- $0.00
- Bill (tipped on)
- $0.00
- Each person
- $0.00
- Each tip share
- $0.00
Enter a bill amount above to calculate.
Food & drink
| Service | U.S. standard tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant server | 18–20% of pre-tax bill (25% for exceptional service) |
| Bar — per drink | $1–$2 per drink, or 20% of the tab |
| Buffet server (refills, dishes cleared) | 10% |
| Coffee shop counter | $1, or 10–15% if served at the table |
| Takeout (curbside or in-store) | 10% or $2–$5 if staff brought it out |
Personal services
| Service | U.S. standard tip |
|---|---|
| Hairdresser / barber | 18–20% (22–25% for color or complex work) |
| Nail tech (mani / pedi) | 18–20% (22–25% for gel, acrylics, or art) |
| Massage therapist | 18–20% of menu price |
| Tattoo artist | 20–25%, $20 minimum |
| Dog groomer | 15–20% (more for difficult dogs) |
Hotels & travel
| Service | U.S. standard tip |
|---|---|
| Hotel housekeeping | $3–$5/night standard, $5–$10/night luxury — daily in an envelope |
| Bellhop / porter | $2 per bag, $5 minimum |
| Valet | $2–$5 on car return |
| Concierge (for restaurant booking, hard-to-find tickets) | $5–$20 depending on effort |
| Taxi driver | 15–20%, $2 minimum |
Home services
| Service | U.S. standard tip |
|---|---|
| House cleaner (per visit) | 15–20% or $10–$20 per cleaner |
| Movers (per mover) | $5–$10 half day, $10–$20 full day, or 10–20% on the bill |
| Furniture assembly | $10–$20 per person |
Weddings & events
| Service | U.S. standard tip |
|---|---|
| Wedding photographer (studio employee) | $50–$150 |
| Catering / bartender | $5–$10 per person, or 15–20% if not contracted |
| DJ / band | $50–$100 per musician |
| Officiant | $50–$100 (or donation to house of worship) |
Six tipping principles to remember
- Tip on the pre-tax amount. Tax is not work performed by the server — calculate the tip from the subtotal.
- Tip on the menu price, not the discount. Promo codes, packages, and memberships reduce what you pay, not what the worker earned.
- Cash for in-person services where the worker isn't on payroll. Independent contractors (groomers, tattoo artists, movers, cleaners) receive cash tips immediately, in full.
- Use the in-app tip for app-based gigs. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and similar platforms pass 100% of in-app tips to the driver.
- Mind the difference between "service charge" and "gratuity." A service charge on a check often goes to the venue, not the server. Confirm before adding more on top.
- Tip more for harder work. Stairs, weather, late nights, large parties, special handling, and difficult requests all justify going above the standard percentage.
All service-by-service guides
Tap any service for the direct answer, regional notes, a worked example, and FAQs.
Tip movers $5–$10 per mover for a half-day job and $10–$20 each for a full day. For large …
Tip your hairdresser 18–20% of the pre-tax service total, or 25% for an exceptional cut, color, or special-occasion …
Tip your tattoo artist 20–25% of the total piece price, with a $20 minimum for any session. Custom …
Tip your Uber driver 15–20% of the fare through the in-app prompt, with a $2 minimum for any …
Tip your massage therapist 18–20% of the full menu price of the service — not the discounted price …
Tip the valet $2–$5 in cash when your car is returned to you, on top of any parking …
Tip your dog groomer 15–20% of the service total. Tip closer to 20–25% for large breeds, matted coats, …
Tip your Instacart shopper 15–20% of the order subtotal, with a $5 minimum for any order. Increase the …
Tip your barber 15–20% of the service total, with $3 as a reasonable minimum for any cut. For …
Tip your DoorDash Dasher 15–20% of the order subtotal, with a $4–$5 minimum on any delivery. Tip more …
Tip food delivery drivers 15–20% of the order with a $5 minimum, and tip furniture or appliance delivery …
Tip 18–20% of the service price for a pedicure — about $7–$10 on a typical $40 pedicure. For …
Tip 18–20% of the service total at a U.S. nail salon — $9–$10 on a $50 manicure-pedicure combo. …
Tip hotel housekeeping $3–$5 per night at a standard hotel and $5–$10 per night at a luxury or …
Tip wedding vendors as follows: catering and bartending staff $5–$10 per person (or 15–20% if not in the …
Tip a pizza delivery driver 15–20% of the order total with a $5 minimum on any delivery. Tip …
Tip 18–20% for a haircut in the U.S. — $4 on a $20 men's cut, $8 on a …
Tip your Lyft driver 15–20% in the app with a $2 minimum on any ride. Tip higher for …
Tip your wedding photographer $50–$150, plus $50–$100 per second shooter or assistant. If your photographer is the business …
Tip a house cleaner 15–20% of the visit cost, or $10–$20 per cleaner on a flat-fee job. Tip …
Tip your nail tech 18–20% of the service total — $9–$10 on a $50 manicure. Tip 22–25% for …
Tip grocery delivery 15–20% of the order subtotal with a $5 minimum. Add $3–$5 for heavy orders (cases …
Tip 18–20% on the full menu price of a massage — $20 on a $100 hour-long session. Use …
Tip a U.S. taxi driver 15–20% of the metered fare with a $2 minimum. Tip extra for luggage …