How much to tip in the US
Many services in the US come with a tip. The ranges below are common guidance from the Emily Post Institute, for people who live here and for visitors. They aren't rules, and what people leave varies by city and by how good the service was.
How much do you tip at a restaurant?
At a sit-down restaurant, the common guidance is 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax. Takeout and counter tip jars don't call for a tip, though some people leave one.
| Service | Common tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax |
| Buffet | 10 percent before tax |
| Bartender | $1 to $2 a drink, or 15 to 20 percent of the tab |
| Takeout | Not expected. 10 percent if they bring it out to your car or the order is large and complicated. |
| Delivery | 10 to 15 percent of the bill. For pizza, $2 to $5 depending on the order and how hard the delivery is. |
| Tip jar at a counter | Not expected. Some people tip now and then for extra service or as a regular. |
| Host | Not expected for seating you. $10 to $20 for finding you a table on a busy night. |
| Valet | $2 to $5 when your car is brought back |
How much do you tip at a hotel or in a taxi?
Taxi drivers commonly get 15 to 20 percent of the fare. Hotel housekeeping gets $2 to $5 a day, left each day, and whoever carries your bags gets $2 for the first bag and $1 for each one after.
| Service | Common tip |
|---|---|
| Taxi | 15 to 20 percent of the fare, at least $1. Plus $2 for the first bag carried and $1 for each extra bag. |
| Airport skycap | $2 for the first bag, $1 for each extra bag |
| Bellhop | $2 for the first bag, $1 for each extra bag, and $2 to $3 for other help such as a room delivery |
| Doorman | $1 to $4 for carrying luggage, $1 to $2 for getting you a cab |
| Housekeeping | $2 to $5 a day, left each day with a note saying it's for housekeeping |
| Concierge | Not expected for answering questions. $5 to $10 for booking tickets or a table, and more for hard-to-get ones. |
How much do you tip at a salon or spa?
The common range is 15 to 20 percent for a haircut, manicure, facial, waxing, or massage. At a hair salon, the tip is shared among the people who worked on you.
| Service | Common tip |
|---|---|
| Hair salon | 15 to 20 percent, shared among the people who worked on you |
| Manicure | 15 to 20 percent |
| Facial, waxing, or massage | 15 to 20 percent |
Doing the math at the table? TipCard suggests a tip based on the service you got, then splits the bill and rounds the total.
Splitting the check? See how to split a bill and the tip. For year-end tips, see the holiday tipping guide.
Source
Emily Post Institute, General Tipping Guide, checked October 28, 2026. Ranges are paraphrased.