Tipping Etiquette in the United States: A Service-by-Service Guide

Disclaimer: Tipping customs vary; the amounts in this article reflect commonly cited US norms, not legal requirements. Tips are voluntary gratuities.

The United States has one of the most extensive tipping cultures in the world — and one of the most confusing. Touch-screen payment terminals now present tip prompts at coffee counters, self-checkout kiosks, and food trucks. What was once a clear social contract has gotten murkier.

This guide cuts through the noise with clear, current norms for every common service category. Use our tip calculator to calculate amounts instantly for any bill.

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Restaurants and Bars

Sit-Down Restaurants (Full Service)

Service Level	Tip
Good service	18–20%
Excellent service	20–25%+
Poor service	10–15%

The standard for full-service dining in the US is 18–20% of the bill before tax, though many diners tip on the total including tax for simplicity. Your server is likely earning a tipped minimum wage as low as $2.13/hour federally — tips are the primary income, not a bonus.

Large parties (6+): Many restaurants automatically add an 18–20% service charge for large parties. Check your bill. If an auto-gratuity was added and service was exceptional, an additional few percent is a nice touch but not expected.

Bars and Bartenders

• Per drink: $1–2 per beer or well drink; $2 for a cocktail
• Tab at end of night: 18–20% of the total
• Bartender as server (table service): Same as restaurant tipping, 18–20%

If you’re nursing a single drink for hours at a crowded bar, tipping $1 for the occasional refill is fine. If you’re running a tab with multiple cocktails, 20% at close is the norm.

Counter Service and Cafés

Counter service tips are voluntary and the norms are still evolving. General guidance:

• Coffee drinks made to order (barista): $0.50–$1 per drink or rounding up is common and appreciated; not obligatory
• No-preparation counter service (cashier hands you a bottled drink): Not expected
• Counter service where food is brought to your table: Tip as you would at a sit-down restaurant

Food Delivery

• App delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart): $3–5 minimum, or 15–20% of the order — whichever is higher — especially in bad weather or for large or heavy orders
• Pizza delivery: $3–5 minimum; more for larger orders or long-distance delivery

Drivers often receive reduced or no base pay and depend heavily on tips. The tip prompt appears before delivery so the driver can accept or decline — tip accurately upfront.

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Hotels

Hotels have multiple tipped roles, and guests often underestimate the expected amounts.

Role	Tip	Notes
Doorperson / bellhop (bags)	$1–2 per bag, $5 min	More for heavy or numerous bags
Concierge	$5–10 for significant help	Restaurant reservations, tickets; not for basic directions
Housekeeping	$2–5 per night	Leave daily, not just at checkout; different staff clean daily
Room service	18–20% if not included	Check the bill — many hotels add a service charge; tip further only if service was exceptional
Valet	$2–5 when car is retrieved	Not when dropping off

Housekeeping is chronically under-tipped. Condé Nast Traveler and Emily Post Institute both recommend tipping per night (not a lump sum at checkout) because housekeeping shifts rotate and the person cleaning your room on Tuesday may not be there on Thursday. Leave cash with a note that says “Housekeeping — Thank You.”

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Ground Transportation

Service	Tip
Taxi	15–20%
Uber / Lyft	15–20% (in-app or cash)
Rideshare (Black / premium tier)	20%
Airport shuttle (shared)	$1–2 per person
Airport shuttle (private)	15–20%
Limousine / town car	15–20%

With rideshares, the app prompts you after the trip. Tipping is not automatic — you have to tap it. Drivers see their overall tip rate. Tipping $1 on a $25 trip is the functional equivalent of not tipping.

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Personal Care and Beauty

Service	Standard Tip
Hair cut / styling	15–20%
Hair color (full)	15–20% (on a larger bill, leaning toward 20%)
Manicure / pedicure	15–20%
Massage	15–20%
Facial / esthetician	15–20%
Waxing	15–20%
Barber	15–20%

One common question: should you tip the salon owner? Emily Post’s modern guidance is yes — the convention of not tipping the owner has faded. If the owner cuts your hair, a 15–20% tip is appropriate.

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Home Services

Service	Tip Guidance
Food / grocery delivery	$3–5 minimum; 10–15% of bill
Movers (local)	$20–50 per mover for a half day; $50–100 per mover for a full day
Movers (long distance)	$50+ per mover at delivery
Furniture / appliance delivery	$10–20 per person
Plumber / electrician (emergency)	Not expected; a tip of $10–20 is appreciated but unusual
House cleaner (regular)	Not typically; a gift or bonus during holidays is common

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Miscellaneous Services

Service	Tip
Coat check	$1–2 per coat
Parking valet	$2–5 on retrieval
Tour guide (day tour)	$10–20 per person
Casino dealer	”Toke” of $5–10 at the end of a session is customary
Tattoo artist	15–20% (tips are expected and meaningful — tattoos are skilled labor)
Pet groomer	15–20%
Dog walker / pet sitter	$10–20 for holiday periods; otherwise tip is appreciated but optional

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When Not to Tip

Some contexts still carry no tipping expectation:

• Doctors and medical professionals — considered unethical and is generally refused
• Teachers — small gifts (holiday, end of year) are appreciated; cash tips are awkward
• Lawyers, accountants, real estate agents — professional fees cover their services
• Fast food (traditional no-wait-staff format) — counter orders where staff do not serve your table

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The Tip Fatigue Question

Many Americans report feeling pressured by tip prompts in situations that didn’t traditionally involve tipping. This is real — point-of-sale systems now default to 18–25% prompts everywhere. There is no social obligation to tip at a counter where you received no personalized service. But where a person spent meaningful time and skill on your behalf, the standard norms above still apply.

Use our tip calculator to get the precise tip amount for any bill — for restaurant tabs, group splits, or any of the service categories above.