Quick answer: In the United States in 2026, tip 15% to 20% at a full-service restaurant, with 18% to 20% for good service. Tip on the pre-tax bill, not on the total after tax. On a $50 pre-tax bill, 20% is $10, so you pay $60 before tax.
Tipping is one of those things that everyone does but few people feel sure about. How much is enough, how much is too much, and does the same percentage apply to takeaway, delivery, and a coffee? The short answer is that the percentage changes with the situation, and the bill you tip on matters as much as the percentage itself. This guide sets out the usual ranges for 2026, explains the pre-tax rule, and works through examples you can use at the table.
How Much to Tip by Situation
The table below gives the ranges most people in the United States use. They are customs, not laws, except where a restaurant adds a service charge or an automatic gratuity, which is covered later in this guide. In other countries the custom is different, and in some places tipping is not expected at all, so check locally when you travel.
| Situation | Usual tip in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Full-service restaurant, good service | 18–20% |
| Full-service restaurant, average service | 15% |
| Full-service restaurant, poor service | 10% or speak to the manager |
| Bar, per drink | $1–$2 per drink |
| Food delivery | 15–20%, at least $3–$5 |
| Takeaway / pickup | 0–10%, optional |
| Coffee shop / counter service | 0–10%, optional |
| Buffet, server brings drinks and clears plates | 10–15% |
The Pre-Tax Rule: Tip on the Subtotal, Not the Total
This is the rule that causes the most confusion, and it is also the one that saves you the most money over time. You should tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not on the final total after sales tax is added.
Here is why it matters. Suppose your food costs $50 before tax and the sales tax is $4, so the total on the bill is $54. A 20% tip on the pre-tax amount is $10. A 20% tip on the after-tax total is $10.80. The difference is only 80 cents on one meal, but over a year of eating out it adds up, and more importantly, the tax is not money the restaurant earned for service. It is money collected for the government, and there is no reason to tip on it.
Most bills show the subtotal, the tax, and the total as separate lines, so look for the subtotal line before you calculate. If the bill only shows a total, subtract the tax first. Some card machines and apps also calculate a tip for you, and they do not always use the pre-tax amount, so check which figure they are using before you accept their suggestion. If you are splitting a bill, apply the same rule to your share: tip on your share before tax.
Worked Examples
Examples make the rule concrete, so here are three common bills worked through step by step.
Example 1: A $60 dinner at 20%
Step 1: Find the pre-tax subtotal, which is $60. Step 2: Find 20% of $60. Ten percent of $60 is $6, so twenty percent is twice that, $12. Step 3: Add the tip to the subtotal: $60 + $12 = $72 before tax.
You pay $72 plus tax. If the tax is $4.80, the final amount is $76.80. The tip itself is $12, and the service was good, so 20% is the right choice.
Example 2: A $48 lunch at 18%
Step 1: The pre-tax subtotal is $48. Step 2: Find 10% of $48, which is $4.80. Step 3: Find 8% of $48. One percent is $0.48, so eight percent is $3.84. Step 4: Add them together: $4.80 + $3.84 = $8.64.
The tip is $8.64, and the total before tax is $56.64. Many people would round the tip up to $9 for simplicity, which is $9 on $48, or 18.75%. Rounding up by a few cents is normal and is never a problem.
Example 3: A $32 takeaway order at 10%
Step 1: The pre-tax subtotal is $32. Step 2: Ten percent of $32 is $3.20. Step 3: The total before tax is $35.20.
For takeaway, 10% is a generous tip. Leaving nothing would also be normal, but $3.20 is a simple way to thank the staff for preparing the order.
You can check any bill instantly with the tip calculator. Enter the bill, choose the percentage, and it will show the tip and the total, and it can also split the bill between people.
Auto-Gratuity and Service Charges
An automatic gratuity, sometimes called auto-gratuity or a service charge, is a tip that the restaurant adds to the bill itself. It is common for large parties, usually six or eight people or more, and the usual amount is 18% to 20%. It is also common on some cruise ships, in resorts, and in restaurants that have moved to a service-charge model.
Before you add a tip, read the bill carefully. If it already says "service charge 18%" or "gratuity included", do not add another 18% on top unless you want to leave extra for exceptional service. Adding a full tip on top of an auto-gratuity is the most common way people over-tip by accident. If the bill says "suggested tip" or shows a tip line with no charge already added, then you should add your own tip in the usual way.
Mental Math: Work Out a Tip in Your Head
You do not need a calculator for most tips if you know the 10% trick. To find 10% of any amount, move the decimal point one place to the left. Ten percent of $60 is $6. Ten percent of $48 is $4.80. Ten percent of $32 is $3.20.
From there, you can build any common percentage. For 20%, double the 10% figure. For 15%, take the 10% figure and add half of it again: 10% of $60 is $6, half of that is $3, so 15% is $9. For 18%, take 10% and add 8%, and 8% is eight times 1%. One percent of $48 is $0.48, so eight percent is $3.84, and the total is $8.64, which matches the worked example above. For more on percentages, see the percentage calculator.
What If the Service Was Bad?
A tip pays for service, so poor service raises a real question. The usual advice is to tip less, not nothing — 10% signals a problem without punishing a server for a kitchen fault. Speak to the manager calmly first; they can fix the meal or the bill. Agree the tip before the bill arrives when eating in a group, so no one is left guessing who covered it.
Try it: Work out the tip, the total, and each person's share with the Tip Calculator — enter the bill and the percentage, and it does the maths for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you tip at a restaurant in 2026? Tip 15% to 20% at a full-service restaurant in the United States, with 18% to 20% for good service. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal, so on a $50 pre-tax bill a 20% tip is $10.
Should you tip on the total after tax or before tax? Tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not on the total after tax. Tax is collected for the government, not earned for service, so tipping on it overstates the tip by the tax rate on every meal.
What is auto-gratuity? Auto-gratuity is a tip the restaurant adds to the bill itself, usually 18% to 20% for large parties of six or eight or more. Check the bill first, because adding another full tip on top is the most common way to over-tip by accident.
How do you calculate a 20% tip quickly? Find 10% by moving the decimal point one place left, then double it. For a $60 bill, 10% is $6, so 20% is $12. For 15%, take the 10% figure and add half of it again.
