Why tipping works differently in the US
Under federal law, employers can pay workers who regularly receive tips a cash wage of just $2.13 an hour, as long as tips make up the difference to the minimum wage. Some states require more, but the culture is the same nationwide: at a sit-down restaurant, the tip is part of what your server earns. That’s why not tipping – or tipping 10% as you might in Europe – reads as a complaint.
How much to tip at a restaurant
For table service, tip 15–20%: 15% is the floor for decent service, 18–20% is standard, and more is for service that really stood out. Tip on the subtotal before tax – sales tax is listed separately on the bill.
- Gratuity already added? Many restaurants automatically add around 18% for parties of six or more. If so, there’s no need to tip again.
- “Service fee” or “kitchen fee”: these don’t necessarily go to your server. If in doubt, ask what the fee covers.
- Buffets: around 10%.
How paying works
You ask for the check, put your card in the folder, and the server brings back a slip. Write your tip on the “Tip” line, add up the total and sign. Increasingly, the server brings a handheld terminal to the table instead, where you pick a percentage.
Bars, cafés and tip screens
At a bar, tip $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of the tab. At cafés and anywhere you order at a counter, the checkout screen will often swivel round with 15, 20 or 25% buttons. Here, tipping is optional: a dollar or about 10% for a complicated order is a nice gesture, but choosing “No tip” is perfectly fine.
Taxis, Uber and Lyft
For taxis and rideshares, 15–20% of the fare is customary. With Uber and Lyft you tip in the app after the ride – Uber even lets you add a tip days later. If the driver handles your luggage, add around $2 for the first bag and $1 for each additional one.
Hotels and valet parking
- Housekeeping: $2–5 per night, more at luxury hotels. Leave it daily with a note, as staff rotate.
- Bellhops: $1–2 per bag, closer to $2–5 at upscale hotels.
- Concierge: nothing for directions; $5–20 for hard-to-get reservations or tickets.
- Room service: check for a service charge or delivery fee first. If there isn’t one, 15–20%.
- Valet: $2–5 when your car is brought back, more in big cities or at luxury hotels.
Tour guides
For private tours, 10–20% of the price is common. On group tours, tip per person: roughly $5–10 for a few hours and up to about $20 for a full day. On free walking tours in New York, Washington or San Francisco, the tip is the guide’s pay – $10–20 per person. On multi-day tours, operators often publish a per-day guideline for the tour director and driver, such as $5–7 per person per day for the tour director.
Worked example: dinner in New York
Your check shows $50.00 for food and drinks plus $4.44 sales tax (8.875%). The tip is based on the $50 before tax:
| Tip | Amount | Total incl. tax |
|---|---|---|
| 15% | $7.50 | $61.94 |
| 18% | $9.00 | $63.44 |
| 20% | $10.00 | $64.44 |
In the calculator above, enter the pre-tax amount and add the tax at the end – or set the number of people to split the check. Travelling on to the UK? There, the thing to look for is the service charge.
Sources
Last reviewed: . Based on official tourism boards, laws and public authorities, consumer organisations, and established travel guides and media. Tipping is always voluntary – all figures are guidelines.
- Emily Post Institute: general tipping guide emilypost.com
- Emily Post Institute: travel tipping emilypost.substack.com
- Consumer Reports: how to tip with more confidence consumerreports.org
- AFAR: how much to tip hotel housekeeping, valets and more afar.com
- US Department of Labor: Fact Sheet #15, tipped employees dol.gov
- Uber: how to tip your driver uber.com
- Trafalgar: tipping on a guided tour trafalgar.com
