US Tipping Guide

Tipping is customary for visitors in the United States, but knowing where it's expected, optional, or already included can avoid confusion. Visitors should always check for service charges before calculating a tip.

Basics of Tipping in the US

Tipping in the United States is largely considered a voluntary practice, even though the Qantas Travel Insider notes it is legally voluntary. However, as SplittyApp's 2026 guide states, tipping has become customary in many service industries, and many Americans expect it. A service charge is different: the IRS distinguishes between tips - voluntary payments from customers - and service charges, which are amounts added to the bill by the business. The IRS explains that service charges are counted as regular wages, not tips, for tax purposes.

Washington.org offers a useful guideline: don't expect gratuities to be automatically added to a bill, except in some cases for large groups. Knowing the difference between a tip and a service charge will help avoid overpaying for services.

Where Visitors Usually Tip

Visitors to the US will be expected to tip for dining, deliveries, and transport in most settings. In full-service restaurants, 18-22% of the pre-tax bill is typical, per SplittyApp's 2026 guide. At bars, the rule of thumb is $1-2 per drink, or 15-20% of the tab. Food delivery tips average $3-6 or 15-20% of the order. Taxis and rideshares merit 15-20% as well.

At hotels, housekeeping staff are usually tipped $2-5 per night, and valet service earns $2-5, according to SplittyApp. Washington.org adds that taxi drivers should also get 15%, while doormen, skycaps, and porters should be tipped $1 per bag.

Where Tipping Is Optional or Not Expected

Not all service roles in the US receive tips, and forgo the practice in some places where visitors might anticipate it. At counter-service restaurants, SplittyApp says tips are typically optional, ranging from 0-15% if given at all. The guide also says tips are not expected at retail and coffee shops.

If in doubt, an international visitor might compare tipping to a product purchase: at a retail store, the custom is that the cashier rings up the sale, and that is the expected end of the transaction. No additional gratuity is expected at the register. Similarly, when ordering at a counter, the custom is simply to accept the service provided, in exchange for the purchase, without any expectation that the visitor will add a gratuity at the conclusion. The responsibility to pay for the service is entirely met by paying for the product itself.

How to Handle the Bill

Even when the tipping ranges are known, figuring out the final payment amount can be complicated. Visitors should look carefully that the bill before applying any tip.

Look for any service charges, which may already include gratuity, according to the IRS. Check the total of a group meal as well. Washington.org notes that gratuities may be automatically added to a bill in some places, particularly for large groups.

When settling a bill on plastic or touchscreen, the prompt for a tip may appear. Here, instead of following the default 15% or a preset range, a visitor may wish to choose a custom amount from the on-screen prompt. Usually, card transactions will allow a precise amount to be entered: whether in dollars or percentages, the user should enter manually to ensure an appropriate gratuity.

Summary: Tips for Tipping

Facing the bill, remember a simple strategy: look for service charges first. Take the pre-tax total, then apply the suggested gratuity range, in the customary 15-22% except where hotel or transport tips are a flat rate. On group bills, check added gratuities before doubling the total.

Keep cards and cash on hand to be ready: credit, debit, or ATM withdrawal will do for larger tips, while personal transactions and flat-rate tips may need cash.