Tip Calculator 2026: How Much to Tip in the US (Chart) [2026]

Answer first: tip 18–20% at US sit-down restaurants (20–25% for great service), calculated on the pre-tax subtotal. $80 subtotal at 20% = $16 tip, $96 total. Skip mental math with the free tip calculator — percentages plus exact per-person splitting included.

The 2026 US tipping chart

Situation	Standard tip	Notes
Sit-down restaurant	18–20%	On pre-tax subtotal; 20–25% for excellent
Food delivery	15–20% ($3–$5 min)	More for weather, distance, big orders
Bar (per drink)	$1–$2 beer/wine, $2–$3 cocktail	Or 18–20% of tab
Takeout / pickup	0–10%	10% for large or complex orders
Buffet	10%	15–20% if servers bring drinks, clear plates
Coffee shop tip screen	$1 or 10%	Drip coffee needs less than crafted drinks
Hotel housekeeping	$2–$5 / night	Leave daily — staff rotates
Valet / bellhop	$2–$5 per service	Cash on delivery of car/bags
Haircut / salon	18–20%	20%+ for color work
Rideshare	15–20%	Helps luggage? Round up

Tip math in 5 seconds (no calculator)

20%: move the decimal left (10%), double it. $64.50 → $6.45 → $12.90.
15%: take 10%, add half again. $64.50 → $6.45 + $3.23 = $9.68.
18%: 20% minus a touch — or just let the calculator do it.

Splitting the bill without the awkwardness

Decide: even split (friends, similar orders) or itemized (big groups, lobster vs salad).
Compute tip on the whole-table subtotal, then divide the grand total per person — fairer than per-person tipping on uneven orders.
One person pays, others transfer instantly. The tip calculator shows each share to the cent.

Tipping traps to avoid

Tipping on tax: POS screens suggesting 25% of the after-tax total quietly inflate your tip ~8%. Mentally use the subtotal.
Double-tipping fees: "service charge" or "auto-gratuity" (common for 6+ diners) is the tip — read the receipt before adding more.
Delivery app fees ≠ driver pay: service/delivery fees go to the platform. Your driver sees only your tip + base pay.

Common mistakes

15% as the new default: 15% was standard in the 1990s; today it reads as "service was lacking." Use 18% as your floor.
Skipping tips on cards: cash tips reach staff fastest, but card tips beat no tips — always tip something for table service.
Forgetting daily housekeeping tips: one envelope at checkout misses the staff who cleaned days 1–3. Leave it daily.

Conclusion

18–20% on the subtotal, split fairly, watch for auto-gratuity. Run the numbers in the free tip calculator — percentages and bill-splitting in one tap.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I tip at a US restaurant in 2026?

18–20% for standard sit-down service, 20–25% for excellent service, 15% minimum. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal. The free tip calculator splits it per person instantly.

Do I tip on tax and delivery fees?

No — tip on the food-and-drink subtotal before tax, and before service charges. Delivery app "service fees" go to the platform, not the driver, so tip separately.

How much do you tip delivery drivers?

15–20% or $3–$5 minimum, whichever is higher — more in bad weather or for large orders. These workers use personal cars and fuel.

What is the easiest way to split a bill with tip?

Compute tip on the total, add to get the grand total, then divide by diners — or itemize for big groups. The tip calculator with bill-splitting does both.

Do you tip bartenders per drink?

$1–$2 per simple drink, $2–$3 per cocktail, or 18–20% of the tab. Tip in cash per round and your next round arrives faster.

When is it okay not to tip?

Truly terrible service or counter-service with zero interaction. For buffet 10%, takeout 0–10%, and hotel housekeeping $2–$5 per night left daily.