Country guide
Tip calculator for Canada
Canada tips a lot like the US, with slightly gentler defaults. 15% is still acceptable at most restaurants, 18% is the modern standard, and 20% is generous. Servers rely on tips as part of their income — though less dramatically than in the States.
Per person
$29.50
2 × $29.50 = $59.00
- Bill
- $50.00
- Tip (18%)
- $9.00
- Total
- $59.00
Splitting unevenly? If someone had a steak and someone had a salad, an equal split isn't fair. Supasplit handles per-item assignments and proportional tax+tip in the app.
Open in SupasplitWhat's customary
| Service | Customary tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down) | 15–20% | Calculate on pre-tax subtotal if you want to be strict. |
| Bartender | $1–2 per drink | Or 15% on the tab. |
| Taxi | 10–15% | Round up to the nearest dollar at minimum. |
| Uber / Lyft | 10–15% | In-app. Optional but common. |
| Food delivery | 10–15% | Minimum $3–5 depending on distance. |
| Hair salon | 15–20% | Cash appreciated. |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5/night | Leave daily. |
| Coffee counter | Optional | Toss in change or tap the tip prompt if you felt well looked-after. |
Tipping in Canada
Canadian tipping is essentially US tipping minus one percentage point. 18% is the modern baseline at a restaurant, 15% is acceptable, 20% is generous.
One Canadian quirk: more POS machines have tip prompts than almost anywhere in the world. Cafés, bakeries, car washes, dry cleaners — they all show you a screen with 15 / 18 / 20 / custom. You're not obligated to tip at a counter-service bakery, no matter what the iPad suggests. Tap "No tip" without guilt.
Tax matters
In Canada, sales tax (GST + PST or HST) is added at the till and varies by province:
- Alberta: 5% GST only
- BC: 5% GST + 7% PST
- Ontario: 13% HST
- Quebec: 5% GST + 9.975% QST
Strictly speaking, tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Practically, most people tip on the post-tax total because it's one less calculation at the end of a meal.
Splitting the bill
Group dining in Canada usually defaults to "splitsies" — equal split — but the salad-versus-steak problem is just as real here as anywhere else. If one person had a full rib-eye with wine and another had soup, splitting equally punishes the lighter eater.
Supasplit handles this automatically: take a photo of the receipt, assign items to people, and the app distributes tax and tip proportionally. Better than doing arithmetic at a drunk table.
Uber and delivery
Ride-share tips are less universal in Canada than in the US. A lot of people skip them entirely. If you tip, 10–15% via the in-app prompt is normal. Delivery is more tip-expected because drivers are often paying for their own gas and vehicle wear.
Frequently asked questions
Is tipping 15% still acceptable in Canada?
Yes. 15% is the floor at sit-down restaurants and it's still a respectable tip. 18% is more common today, 20% is generous. Anything below 15% signals dissatisfaction.
Do I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount in Canada?
Technically pre-tax. In practice, most Canadians tip on the total (which includes tax), because it's easier and the extra few percent goes to the server. Either is acceptable.
Should I tip at a Tim Hortons drive-thru?
No. Counter service and drive-thrus don't expect tips. The iPad prompt doesn't override common sense — a quick coffee order isn't a tipping situation.
How do I split a restaurant bill with uneven orders?
Don't equal-split heavy-versus-light orders — it's unfair to the lighter eater. Either split by item (each person pays for what they ordered) or use Supasplit to assign items on the receipt and have the app distribute tax and tip proportionally.