How much do you tip at a restaurant?

Plan on 15–20% of the pre-tax bill in the US. 20% is a solid default for full service. If auto-gratuity is already on the check, you do not add another 20%.

Do you tip on tax or the pre-tax total?

Custom is to tip on the pre-tax food and drink. If you only have the grand total, 18–20% of that is close enough; do not stress the tax line at the table.

Do you tip if there is already a service charge?

Usually no. If the check includes a service charge or auto-gratuity, that is the tip. A little extra cash is only for exceptional service, and only if they can accept it.

How much do you tip a waitress or waiter?

The same as the table tip: 15–20% of the pre-tax check, left once for the server who had you. You do not calculate a second rate because the job title is waitress, waiter, or server.

Do you tip less for poor service?

Yes, when the server ignored you or was hostile. A slow kitchen is not a reason to zero the tip. 10% or $0 is the skip band; tell a manager if the house failed you.

Is 20% the new standard?

In many US cities, 20% is the typical band, not a stretch. 15% is still within custom for ordinary service. This page posts 15–20% and lets you pick 18, 20, or 25.

Tipping CalculatorsRestaurants & bars

How much to tip at a restaurant

15–20% of the pre-tax bill

In the US, plan on 15–20% of the pre-tax check for a sit-down meal. 20% is the solid default; 25% is generous.

One tip on the check for the table — not a separate envelope per server unless you are splitting cash.

US customHow we got this rangeReviewed 2026-08-14

Dollar ranges

Band	What to bring
Typical	15–20% of the pre-tax bill. 18–20% is the usual band in 2026 for full service.
Generous	25% when they caught a problem, paced a long table, or the kitchen recovered a mistake.
Skip	$0 extra when auto-gratuity or a service charge is already on the bill, or when service was hostile. Counter-only fast casual is a different page.

Edge cases

Auto-gratuity for large parties

If the check already added 18–20% for a party of six or more, that is the tip. The calculator should read $0 unless you want a small extra for exceptional work — not a second 20%.

Wine and bottle service

Some tables tip on food and set expensive bottles aside. That is optional, not a rule. If you set wine aside here, the reprint uses the rest of the check.

Bad service

A reduced tip is for ignored tables and hostility, not for a slow kitchen. If they were rude or disappeared, 10% or $0 is honest. Speak to a manager if the problem is the house, not the server.

Card vs cash

Adding the tip on the card is normal in a restaurant. Cash still reaches the server faster in some houses. Follow what they can actually keep.

Where this applies

United States (default)

Tipping the server is customary at sit-down restaurants. The ranges on this page are US custom, compiled from industry and etiquette sources, not a wage survey.

High-cost cities

In New York, San Francisco, and similar markets, 20% is the typical band, not the generous one. Auto-gratuity on smaller parties is more common; read the check.

Outside the US

In much of Europe a service charge is on the bill and extra tipping is small or unused. In Japan, do not tip. If you are not in the US, treat this page as the American custom and follow local practice.

Questions people actually ask

How much do you tip at a restaurant?: Plan on 15–20% of the pre-tax bill in the US. 20% is a solid default for full service. If auto-gratuity is already on the check, you do not add another 20%.
Do you tip on tax or the pre-tax total?: Custom is to tip on the pre-tax food and drink. If you only have the grand total, 18–20% of that is close enough; do not stress the tax line at the table.
Do you tip if there is already a service charge?: Usually no. If the check includes a service charge or auto-gratuity, that is the tip. A little extra cash is only for exceptional service, and only if they can accept it.
How much do you tip a waitress or waiter?: The same as the table tip: 15–20% of the pre-tax check, left once for the server who had you. You do not calculate a second rate because the job title is waitress, waiter, or server.
Do you tip less for poor service?: Yes, when the server ignored you or was hostile. A slow kitchen is not a reason to zero the tip. 10% or $0 is the skip band; tell a manager if the house failed you.
Is 20% the new standard?: In many US cities, 20% is the typical band, not a stretch. 15% is still within custom for ordinary service. This page posts 15–20% and lets you pick 18, 20, or 25.

Holiday weeks get busier, not a different percent. If a service charge is printed for the season, that is the tip.