Is tipping in the US really required?

Legally no, culturally yes. Most US servers earn a 'tipped minimum wage' as low as $2.13/hour federally (higher in many states) with tips making up the rest. Skipping a tip for bad service is acceptable; skipping a tip for adequate service is effectively stiffing a low-wage worker. The accepted range is 15-20%, with 18-20% the new default at sit-down restaurants.

Why do some restaurants add service automatically?

Common for groups of 6+ people, foreign tourists in tourist areas, or as policy at upscale restaurants. Look for 'service charge,' 'gratuity,' or 'servicio incluído' on the bill. If service is included, additional tipping isn't required — a small extra (5-10%) for exceptional service is appreciated but not expected.

Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?

Traditionally pre-tax, but most people tip on the total shown on the bill for simplicity. The difference is small — 20% on a $50 pre-tax vs. $54 post-tax is $10 vs. $10.80. Don't overthink it; the server isn't tracking which method you used.

What about tipping at takeout or coffee shops?

US norm: tipping at counter service is increasingly expected due to POS prompts, but culturally still optional. A 10-15% tip for takeout is generous; the baseline is whatever feels right. For coffee shops, $1-2 per drink or rounding up is standard. Don't feel guilty skipping the 18% suggestion on a $4 coffee.

Do I tip hotel staff?

In the US: housekeeping $3-5/day left with a note saying 'thank you,' bellhops $2-5 per bag, concierge $5-20 for significant help (restaurant reservation, tours), valet $2-5 each way. In Europe: much less expected; €1-2 per service is generous. In Japan and some Asian countries: don't tip; it can be refused or seen as odd.

Tip Calculator Etiquette Around the World

Tipping etiquette varies more by country than any other aspect of travel. A 20% tip in Japan is rude; the same in the US makes a server's night. Europeans round up; Americans calculate a percentage; South Koreans wave it away entirely. Here's the country-by-country breakdown.

United States & Canada: 15-20% is the norm

Service workers in the US typically earn a reduced "tipped minimum wage" as low as $2.13/hour federally, with tips expected to bring them to full minimum. Not tipping is effectively refusing to pay for service.

Sit-down restaurants: 18-20% is standard. 15% is the floor for adequate service. 25%+ for excellent.
Bars: $1-2 per drink, or 15-20% on a tab.
Delivery: 10-15% or $3-5 minimum.
Takeout: 10% is generous; anything is appreciated.
Ride-share / taxi: 10-15%, more for help with luggage.
Hair / nails / spa: 15-20%.

Canada follows a similar model at slightly lower rates (15-18% typical). Bartenders, servers, and many other service workers depend on tips.

Work out your specific tip with the tip calculator — including bill splits and rounding.

Europe: rounding up, not percentages

In most of continental Europe, service wages are built into the bill. Tipping is a modest thank-you, not a significant part of income.

UK / Ireland:10-12.5% at restaurants (often already on the bill as "service charge"). Round up for taxis and pubs.
France, Germany, Netherlands:service is almost always included ("service compris" in French). A €1-2 round-up for good service, 5-10% for exceptional. Don't calculate percentages — that's American behavior.
Italy, Spain:small tips (coperto or round-up). The coperto is a cover charge (bread, water) and isn't a tip. €1-5 on top for good service.
Scandinavia:tipping is minimal — round up or 5-10%. Server wages are among the world's highest.
Switzerland, Austria: 5-10% is common. Say the total amount including tip when handing over the bill, rather than leaving coins.

Asia: largely no tipping

Several Asian cultures actively discourage tipping — it can be refused or seen as patronizing.

Japan: Do not tip. Service is considered part of the job and already reflected in prices. Leaving cash on the table can embarrass staff. Servers have chased tourists out of the restaurant to return left money. Exception: ryokan inns where giving a small amount in an envelope to the staff is traditional but no longer expected.
South Korea: Similar — not expected, not customary. Some luxury hotels and western chains accept tips, but the baseline is zero.
China: Traditionally none. Tourist-heavy cities (Beijing, Shanghai) have seen tipping creep in at Western-style restaurants and hotels, but still not expected.
Thailand, Vietnam: Service charge of 5-10% is often added to bills at restaurants aimed at tourists. On top of that, rounding up or 5-10% is appreciated but not mandatory. In local joints, no tipping needed.
India:10% at restaurants where service isn't included. Small amounts (₹20-50) for hotel porters, drivers, guides. Tipping is more established than in East Asia.

Latin America: 10% is standard

Mexico: 10-15% at restaurants, a few pesos for taxis and bellhops. US-style 20% is generous but not expected.
Brazil, Argentina:10% is standard and often added as "serviço" or "cubierto." Check your bill.
Chile, Peru, Colombia: 10% expected, sometimes added automatically.

Middle East & North Africa

Israel: 12-15% at sit-down restaurants; check whether service is included.
UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi): Service charge often added (10%). Small additional cash for good service.
Turkey, Egypt, Morocco:10% at restaurants; small amounts for drivers, guides, hotel staff. "Baksheesh" (tips for small services) is a cultural norm — carry small bills.

Australia & New Zealand: optional

Service workers earn full minimum wage, and tipping isn't built into expectations. 10% for excellent service is generous; none is acceptable. Coffee-shop tip jars exist but are less common than in the US.

Africa (Sub-Saharan)

Varies widely. South Africa: 10-15% at restaurants. Kenya, Tanzania: 10% standard, significant gratuity expected for safari guides and drivers (often $10-20/day per guide per guest). East African tourism economies often rely heavily on tips.

Tourist traps and service charges

Anywhere with a heavy tourist presence, watch for:

Automatic service charges added to the bill. If present, no additional tip is required. Some unscrupulous venues add it and leave the tip line blank on the credit card slip — decline the second tip.
Two menus, two prices.Tourist menus are often marked up 30-50%. Ask for "the regular menu" or eat where locals eat.
Aggressive tip promptson card terminals at counter service in the US — starting at 20% or even 25%. You're not obligated to pick from the preset options; "custom" lets you enter any amount including zero.

The universal rule

When in doubt in a new country, check the bill first for service charges, then observe what locals are doing. Round-ups are safe almost everywhere; extravagant tipping can be either unexpected generosity or a cultural faux pas depending on where you are.

Related calculators

Tip calculator · Currency converter · Timezone converter