Sit-Down Restaurants
The commonly cited standard is around 18-20% of the pre-tax bill for standard table service, with some tipping more (20-25%) for exceptional service and less for genuinely poor service (though many etiquette guides suggest addressing service issues directly with management rather than primarily using the tip as feedback). Some restaurants have moved to an automatic service charge, particularly for large parties — check your bill carefully to avoid double-tipping.
Counter Service and Fast Casual
Tipping norms here are less standardized and have shifted significantly with the rise of digital payment screens prompting for a tip even for minimal-service transactions ("tipping creep"). There's no universal rule — many people tip a smaller percentage (or a flat small amount) for counter service compared to full table service, or skip it for genuinely self-service transactions, based on personal judgment of the actual service provided.
Delivery Drivers
A commonly cited range is 15-20% of the order total, with a reasonable minimum (often suggested around $3-5) for smaller orders, since delivery drivers often have fixed costs (gas, vehicle wear) regardless of order size. Weather and distance are sometimes considered when deciding whether to tip above the standard range.
Hair Salons and Barbershops
Generally 15-20% of the service cost is a commonly cited standard, similar to restaurant tipping norms, with the tip going to the specific stylist/barber who performed the service.
Hotel Housekeeping
Often overlooked, but many etiquette guides suggest a few dollars per night, left daily rather than only at checkout (since housekeeping staff may differ day to day).
Movers
A commonly suggested range is a per-mover flat amount (varying based on job complexity and duration) or a percentage of the total moving cost, reflecting the physically demanding nature of the work.
Taxi and Rideshare Drivers
Similar to restaurant norms, roughly 15-20% of the fare is commonly suggested, with adjustments for exceptional or poor service.
Navigating "Tipping Fatigue"
The proliferation of tip prompts across many types of transactions (including some where tipping wasn't traditionally expected) has led to genuine public debate and fatigue around tipping culture. There's no single correct response — some people tip generously across the board regardless of prompts, others make case-by-case judgments based on actual service level and their own budget, and both are reasonable personal approaches to a genuinely evolving social norm.
Calculating Your Tip Quickly
Use a Tip Calculator to quickly calculate an exact tip amount and total bill for any percentage, and split it evenly among a group if needed.