How Much to Tip: Tipping Guide for Every Service
By Calqpro Editorial Team · April 20, 2026 · 4 min read
Quick rule: 18–20% for sit-down restaurants. 15% for average service. 25%+ for exceptional service. Tip on the pre-tax amount.
Tipping norms have shifted significantly in recent years — especially with the rise of digital point-of-sale systems that default to 20–30%. Here's what's actually expected across different services.
Standard Tipping Guide by Service
| Service | Standard Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18–20% | Tip on pre-tax total |
| Bar (drinks) | $1–2/drink or 15–20% | More for complex cocktails |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | Min $3–5 for small orders |
| Coffee/counter service | Optional, $0.50–$1 | Not expected if no table service |
| Hair salon / barber | 15–20% | Tip your stylist directly |
| Taxi / rideshare | 15–20% | More for heavy bags or long waits |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5/night | Leave daily (different staff each day) |
| Hotel valet / bellhop | $2–5 | Per trip/retrieval |
| Movers | $20–50/mover | More for difficult moves |
| Spa / massage | 15–20% | Even if it's a medical spa |
How to Calculate a Tip Mentally
The fast method for 20%: move the decimal one place left (10%) then double it.
- $47 bill → 10% = $4.70 → 20% = $9.40
- $83 bill → 10% = $8.30 → 20% = $16.60
For 15%: find 10%, then add half of that.
- $47 bill → 10% = $4.70 → 15% = $4.70 + $2.35 = $7.05
Splitting the Bill
When splitting evenly, each person pays (bill + tip) ÷ number of people. On a $120 bill with 20% tip ($24), split 4 ways: ($120 + $24) ÷ 4 = $36 per person.
If people ordered different amounts, use our tip calculator to split by individual amounts while still pooling the tip fairly.
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