15%
Lower end for basic service.
Restaurant tipping
How Much to Tip at a Restaurant
For sit-down restaurants in the U.S., 18% to 20% is a common default. The range can move lower or higher depending on service quality, large parties, and whether gratuity is already included.
Quick answer
A practical default is 18% to 20% for average to good service. Around 15% may fit weaker service, while 20% or more is common for strong service.
Recommended tip range
Restaurants are one of the clearest percentage-based tipping situations, which is why the shared calculator works especially well here.
18%
Common middle ground.
20%+
Strong service or a consistently good experience.
Shared calculator
Restaurant tip calculator
Tip Calculator
Restaurant tipping
15%
0%30%
Shared bill mode
Use this when several people are splitting one restaurant bill and you want the total cost and tip broken down per person.
Examples
| Bill | Tip | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $40 | $7.20 to $8 | $47.20 to $48 |
| $80 | $14.40 to $16 | $94.40 to $96 |
When to tip more
- Exceptional service and attention
- Large groups or complex requests
- Special occasions handled well
When to tip less
- Clear service issues that were not fixed
- Automatic gratuity already added
- Basic experience with weak service
FAQ
Do you tip on tax?
Many diners calculate tip on the pre-tax subtotal, though habits vary.
What if gratuity is already included?
If gratuity is already included, an extra tip is optional rather than expected.
Back to home
Return to the homepage to use the main tip calculator and browse the rest of the guide hub.