15 to 20% of the fare. $2 minimum on a very short ride so the percent is not coins.
25% for heavy bags, a careful driver in bad weather, or help you did not expect.
$0 extra only when a service charge is already on the receipt, or the ride was genuinely unsafe or hostile.
Cab vs rideshare
A metered taxi or cab follows this page: 15 to 20% of the fare. Uber and Lyft work the same way in-app and have their own page.
Luggage and airport runs
Add a couple of dollars per bag they load and unload. Airport fees on the meter are not a substitute for the tip.
Paying by card in the cab
Most cabs take cards, and the screen often suggests 15, 20, and 25%. Those are fair; you are not obligated to pick the highest button.
A short hop
On a $6 ride, 20% is barely a dollar. Round up to a $2 to $3 minimum so it matches the trip.
United States (default)
Tipping a taxi driver is customary in the US. These ranges are compiled custom, not a fare table.
High-cost cities
20% is normal in New York and similar cities. Heavy traffic they cannot control is not a reason to cut the tip.
Outside the US
In many countries a cab tip is just rounding up, or nothing at all. Follow local practice; this page is the American norm.
How much do you tip a taxi driver?
Plan on 15 to 20% of the metered fare in the US, with 20% the solid default and a couple of dollars more for luggage.
How much do you tip a cab driver?
The same as a taxi: 15 to 20% of the fare. Round up to a clean number in cash.
Do you tip a taxi driver who helps with luggage?
Yes, add about $2 per bag they load and unload on top of the fare percentage.
How much do you tip on a $25 cab fare?
About $5 at 20%, or $3.75 at 15%. Round to a clean $5.
Do you tip a taxi the same as Uber?
Yes, the band is the same 15 to 20%. With Uber you tip in the app; with a taxi you tip cash or on the card reader.