How to Tip in the US
Tipping in the US is bigger than almost anywhere — but how much it matters depends on the state. In many states, servers are paid a low “tipped” wage (as little as $2.13 an hour) and rely on tips to make a living. In others they already earn the full minimum wage, so your tip is genuinely extra. Either way it’s customary. Here’s what’s normal, situation by situation.
Not sure if your tip is someone’s wage or a bonus? See how it works by state ↓
Is my tip their wage?
Whether your tip is part of someone’s wage or a true gratuity depends on state law.
Full-wage states — tip is a bonus
In these states servers earn the full minimum wage before tips, so your tip is genuinely on top:
- Alaska
- California
- District of Columbia
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Washington
Everywhere else — tips fund their pay
Every other state lets employers pay a reduced cash wage — the federal floor is just $2.13/hour, unchanged since 1991 — and count your tips toward the minimum. There, tips are most of how servers are paid.
Exact tipped wages vary by state and some fall in between. Last verified 2026-06-17; check onefairwage.site.
Eating & drinking
Sit-down restaurant Expected 18–20% of the bill
Tip on the pre-tax total. Parties of 6+ often have an automatic gratuity already added — check the bill before adding more.
Coffee / counter & the tip screen Optional Round up, or 10% — or skip
The tablet flipping around to ask for a tip is new and optional. For just handing you a coffee, “No Tip” is perfectly normal.
Bartender Expected $1–2 per drink, or 18–20% of the tab
A dollar or two per drink for simple pours; 20% if you run a tab.
Cocktail server (table or poolside) Expected $1–2 per drink, or 15–20%
Whoever brings drinks to your table, beach chair, or poolside lounger — same as a bartender. Either a dollar or two per drink, or a percentage of the tab works.
Sommelier / wine steward Optional Usually covered by your tip
At fine dining your overall 18–20% tip normally covers them; add a little extra for special help choosing a bottle.
Food delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats) Expected 15–20%, at least $3–5
Tip more in bad weather, long distances, or large orders. The driver often sees the tip before accepting.
Buffet / hotel breakfast Optional About 10%, or $1–2 per person
When a server still clears plates and refills coffee — including a hotel breakfast buffet with table service.
Food truck Optional Round up, or 10%
Nice but not required for counter-style service.
Takeout / pickup Extra / bonus Not expected; round up if you like
The tip screen often appears here too — “No Tip” is normal for food you carry out yourself.
Drive-thru Not customary No tip
No tipping at a drive-thru window, even if the screen offers it.
Getting around
Taxi / Uber / Lyft Expected 10–20% (about 15%)
Tip more if they help with luggage or it’s a tough drive. In the app you can tip after the ride.
Airport bag check (skycap) Expected $2 per bag ($3 if heavy)
The curbside porter who checks your bags before your flight.
Hotel / airport shuttle driver Optional $2 per bag, or $5 a ride
Especially if they load your luggage or it saved you a taxi fare.
Valet parking Expected $3–7 when they bring the car back
Tip when your car is returned — not when you drop it off.
Private car / limo service Expected 15–20% if not already in the fare
Check the receipt — a gratuity is often already included for car services.
Tour bus driver Optional $1–2 per person
Hand it to the driver as you get off.
Gas station / parking garage Not customary No tip
Pumping your own gas and self-park garages are the norm — no tipping.
Taxi starter / curbside cab line Optional $1–2 if they hail or load — varies by city
The person running the taxi queue at an airport or hotel. This one is genuinely local: tip a dollar or two if they actively flag a cab or load your bags, nothing if they’re only pointing you to the next car.
Train sleeping-car attendant (Amtrak) Optional $5–10 per night
For overnight sleeper service; nothing needed for a regular coach seat.
Hotels
Housekeeping Expected $5–10 per night, in cash
Leave it daily, not at the end — cleaners rotate, so daily cash reaches whoever actually cleaned your room. A note saying “thank you” helps them know it’s for them.
Bellhop / porter Expected $2 per bag ($4–5 if heavy)
For carrying your bags to your room.
Concierge Optional $5–10 simple, $20+ for hard requests
Nothing for a quick question. Tip when they get you a hard reservation or tickets.
Room service Check the bill 15–20% only if not already added
Hotels usually add a service charge to room service — look for it so you don’t tip twice.
Doorman Optional $1–2 for hailing a cab
Nothing for simply opening the door; a dollar or two if they flag you a taxi or help with bags.
Pool / beach attendant Optional $1–2 per service (towels, chairs)
A dollar or two each time they bring towels or set up your chairs — not one tip for the whole day.
Hair, nails & spa
Barber / hairstylist Expected 20%
Standard for a haircut, color, or blow-out.
Nail salon Expected 15–20%
Cash is appreciated.
Massage / spa Expected 20%
At a hotel or resort spa, check whether a service charge is already on the bill.
Tattoo artist Expected 15–20% or more
For larger or custom work, many tip more.
Waxing / eyebrows Expected 15–20%
Same as other salon services.
Pet groomer Optional 15–20%
Appreciated, especially for a difficult pet.
Makeup artist Expected 15–20%
Same as other salon services.
Other services
Tour guide Expected 10–20%, or $10–20 per person/day
For a free walking tour, $5–10 per person is normal.
Movers Expected $20–30 (half day) / $40–60 (full day) per mover
A flat cash amount per person, not a percentage. More for stairs or heavy items.
Grocery delivery (Instacart) Expected 5–20%, at least $5
More for big orders, lots of stairs, or bad weather.
Furniture / appliance delivery Optional $5–20 per person
For heavy items, stairs, or installation.
Casino dealer Optional A few dollars, or a small bet for them
Common when you’re winning; never required.
Golf caddie Expected $40–60, or about half the caddie fee
Handed to the caddie directly after your round.
Ski / snowboard instructor Expected 10–20%, or $20–50
For a private or group lesson.
Charter fishing / boat crew Expected 15–20% of the charter
Given to the captain or first mate to split among the crew.
Handyman / home repair Extra / bonus No tip; a cold drink is kind
Tradespeople who set their own price usually aren’t tipped; $10–20 only for going well above and beyond.
Coat check Optional $1–2 per coat
When you pick your coat back up.
Restroom attendant Optional $1–2
Only if someone is there handing out towels or mints.
Check the bill first
Automatic gratuity (large groups) Check the bill Often 18–20% already added
Parties of about 6+ usually have a gratuity added automatically. Look for “gratuity” or “service charge” so you don’t tip twice.
“Service charge” on the bill Check the bill Tip may already be included
If the bill says “service charge” or “service included,” the tip is already in — extra is optional.
Hotel “resort fee” Not customary Not a tip
A resort fee is a charge from the hotel, not a tip to staff. Still tip housekeeping and bellhops separately.
You usually don’t tip
Fast food counter Not customary No tip
Ordering at a counter and getting your own food — no tip expected, even if a screen asks.
Store / retail checkout Not customary No tip
Buying goods in a shop is not a tipping situation.
Flight attendants Not customary No tip
Not customary, and many airlines don’t allow it.
Doctors & nurses Not customary No tip
You never tip medical staff in the US.
Ranges are common US norms, not rules — when in doubt, a little is kinder than nothing. Free, no account, nothing tracked. · Open the tip calculator →