Tipping anxiety is real, and the rules change depending on where you are and what service you're getting. Here's a situation-by-situation reference instead of a country-by-country history lesson.
Sit-Down Restaurants
In the US, 18–20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard for table service. In most of Europe, a service charge is often already included in the bill, and an additional small amount (rounding up, or 5–10%) is appreciated but not expected. In Japan, tipping is generally not practiced and can occasionally come across as awkward rather than generous.
Cafés and Counter Service
For coffee shops and counter-order food, tipping is optional almost everywhere. A small amount in the tip jar for a barista who made something complex is a nice gesture, not an obligation.
Taxis and Rideshares
Rounding up to the nearest convenient amount, or adding roughly 10%, is common in the US for taxis and rideshare apps. In many other countries, rounding up the fare is plenty.
Hotels
- Housekeeping: a few dollars per night, left visibly in the room, is appreciated in tipping-culture countries
- Bellhop/porter: a small amount per bag carried
- Concierge: only if they go out of their way to secure something hard to get (reservations, tickets)
Delivery
Food delivery tipping has become standard in app-based delivery in many countries, generally in the 10–15% range or a flat amount, with adjustments upward for bad weather or a difficult delivery location.
Do the Math Instantly
Once you know the percentage that fits your situation, our Tip Calculator works out the exact tip amount and total — and can split the bill evenly across a group.