Tipping in the United States is a near-universal expectation in service industries. Unlike many other countries, restaurant servers typically earn a sub-minimum tipped wage and depend heavily on gratuities to reach a living income. Understanding when and how much to tip is essential knowledge for any visitor.
The standard tip in U.S. restaurants is 15–20% of the pre-tax bill, with 20% becoming the new baseline in cities. Many payment terminals now suggest 18%, 20%, and 25% — choosing below 18% is considered a signal of poor service. For counter service and fast food, tipping is optional; many cafés now have tip prompts at the register. For takeout orders, 10% is appreciated if staff assembled a complex order.
Tip bellhops $1–2 per bag when they carry luggage. Leave $2–5 per night for housekeeping, ideally daily in an envelope marked "Housekeeping" since staff may rotate. Tip the concierge $5–20 for significant help such as difficult restaurant reservations. For valet parking, tip $2–5 when your car is returned.
Tip taxi drivers 15–20% of the metered fare. For Uber and Lyft, the app prompts you after the ride — 15–20% is standard, and drivers who helped with luggage or navigated well deserve the higher end. For short trips under $10, rounding up to add $2–3 is acceptable.
Restaurant tips of 15–20% are the norm. Bars expect $1–2 per drink. For hotel stays, daily housekeeping tips are more common in the US than anywhere else.
For a $50 restaurant bill, leave $8–10. For a $30 taxi ride, add $5–6. For one drink at a bar, leave $1–2 on the bar.
If service is already included on the bill, tipping extra is optional — but check the percentage, as some venues add only 10%.