Country guide
Tip calculator for the USA
Tipping is effectively mandatory in the US — servers and many service workers are paid a sub-minimum wage and rely on tips to make a living. Use the presets below, then split the total across the table.
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) | 18–20% | Calculate on the pre-tax subtotal. |
| Bartender | $1–2 per drink | Or 15–20% on the bar tab. |
| Food delivery | 10–15% | Minimum $3–5 regardless of order size. |
| Uber / Lyft | 15–20% | In-app after the ride ends. |
| Taxi | 15% | Round up to the nearest dollar. |
| Hair salon / barber | 15–20% | Cash if possible — stylists often keep more that way. |
| Hotel housekeeping | $3–5/night | Leave daily, not at the end of the stay. |
| Coffee counter / to-go | Optional, $1 or 10% | Not expected but appreciated. |
How much to tip in the US
The short version: 18% is the modern baseline at a sit-down restaurant. 20% is normal for good service, 15% is the floor for service that was slow or mistake-heavy. Below 15% reads as a message — be prepared to say why.
A few things the calculator won't tell you but you should know:
- Calculate tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Some receipts helpfully print "suggested tip" rows already including tax — you're not obligated to tip on the tax.
- Auto-gratuity counts. Parties of 6+ at most restaurants see an 18–20% service charge added automatically. Don't double-tip unless you want to.
- Cash vs card doesn't change the percentage — only the server's cut. Cash lets them keep the full amount, card gets pooled and taxed.
Splitting the tip fairly
The trap at the end of a meal is the salad-versus-steak problem. If five people ordered and one person had wine + a steak while another had a side salad and water, splitting the total five ways is unfair. Two better approaches:
- Split by item, then apportion tax and tip. Each person pays for what they ordered, plus their proportional share of tax and tip. This is what Supasplit does automatically — you assign items on the receipt and the app does the math.
- Round-number equal split. If orders were roughly similar, equal is fine. If they weren't, equal-split always favors the big orderer.
When NOT to tip (in the US)
There are a few situations where tipping isn't expected:
- Fast food counters where you order and pick up yourself
- Chain coffee shops (the iPad prompt is suggested, not expected)
- Fixed-price service where gratuity is already included — read the receipt
For everywhere else, assume a tip is part of the price.
Frequently asked questions
Is 15% still an acceptable tip at a restaurant?
It's the lower bound. 15% used to be standard; post-pandemic, 18% is the norm and 20% is common. 15% now signals dissatisfaction — fine if that's the message, otherwise tip 18%.
Do I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Pre-tax. Sales tax goes to the government, not the server. Most receipts and calculators default to the total (including tax) because it's simpler, but pre-tax is technically correct.
Should I tip if a service charge is already added?
Usually no. If the receipt shows a "service charge" or "auto-gratuity" of 18% or more, that's your tip. Adding another 20% is generous but not expected. Ask the server if you're unsure whether the charge goes to them.
How do I split the tip fairly when orders were uneven?
Don't equal-split — it penalizes the light eaters. Calculate each person's subtotal, then add their proportional share of tax and tip. Supasplit does this automatically when you assign receipt items to people.
Is tipping expected on takeout orders?
A small tip (10% or a few dollars) is appreciated but not required for takeout. If someone hand-packed your order carefully or it was a large order, tip more generously.