What tip percentage should you leave?
Percentage tips scale with the bill, which is why they dominate sit-down dining in the United States. A flat few dollars might feel generous on coffee and stingy on a tasting menu. Comparing rates on the same check—exactly what this page does—helps you pick a number that matches the service and your budget without doing mental math under pressure.
Customs are not universal. The ranges below describe common U.S. expectations for full-service restaurants. Counter service, delivery apps, hotels, and travel abroad follow different norms. TipSlice explains patterns; it does not dictate what you must pay.
Quick meaning of common tip rates
10%
Often used for counter pickup, simple takeout, or as a floor when service was limited. For table service in the U.S., 10% is generally considered low unless something went seriously wrong or a large automatic gratuity is already on the check.
15%
Long treated as a baseline for acceptable table service. Many diners still use it, though surveys and restaurant guidance increasingly point higher for everyday good service.
18%
A practical modern default for solid service. It sits between the old 15% habit and the 20% “great night” tip, and it is a frequent automatic-gratuity rate for large parties.
20%
Widely viewed as a strong tip for attentive service. Easy to compute (move the decimal and double) and common on suggested tip lines printed on receipts.
22–25%
Reserved by many people for outstanding service, complex orders, long visits, or holidays when staff are especially busy. Also appears on some payment terminals as a suggested option—remember those suggestions are optional prompts, not laws.
How to use this tip percentage calculator
- Type the bill amount you want to tip on (usually pre-tax for restaurants).
- Read the table for 10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 22%, and 25%.
- Optionally enter a custom rate such as 17 or 19.5 to highlight that row.
- When you are ready to split the chosen total among friends, open the bill splitter or the main tip calculator.
Pre-tax vs after-tax tipping
Classic etiquette calculates the tip on the food-and-drink subtotal before sales tax. Tax is not service. The dollar difference is often small, so some people tip on the final line for speed. If your receipt already combines everything, enter that larger number here and choose a percentage you are comfortable with—just know the tip will be slightly higher than a pure pre-tax calculation.
When percentages are the wrong tool
Buffet lines, coffee counters, and hotel housekeeping often work better with a flat amount or a local custom than with 20% of a tiny ticket. Delivery may warrant a percentage of the food plus a minimum dollar floor for short trips. Always read the receipt for service charges already applied so you do not double-tip by accident.
What is 15% or 20% of a bill?
People often want one pair of numbers, such as what 20% of $50 is, or what 15% of $86 comes to. The method is the same every time: turn the percent into a decimal and multiply. Twenty percent is 0.20, so 20% of $50 is $10 and the bill plus tip is $60. Fifteen percent of $86 is 0.15 times 86, which is $12.90, so the total with tip is $98.90. Eighteen percent of that same $86 is $15.48. Move the decimal for 10%, then double it for 20% or add half of the 10% figure for 15%, when you are doing it in your head.
Enter your own amount in the table above to compare 10% through 25% on that exact bill, including a custom rate if 18% or 20% is not the number you want. The gap between two rates is just the difference of those tip amounts. On a $100 check, 20% is $5 more than 15%. On a $40 check, that same jump is $2.
Tip percentage FAQ
What is 20% of a $50 bill?
Twenty percent of $50 is $10. The bill plus tip is $60, before tax. The shortcut is to move the decimal one place, which makes 10% equal $5, and then double it.
What is 15% of $80?
Fifteen percent of $80 is $12. Take 10%, which is $8, and add half of that, which is $4. The meal plus tip is $92 before tax. If you would rather leave 18% or 20%, enter 80 in the table above and read those rows side by side.
How do I compare 15% and 20% on the same check?
Enter the bill once. The table shows the tip and the bill plus tip at each preset rate, so you can see the gap without starting over. On $100 the difference between 15% and 20% is $5. On $40 it is $2. A custom row, such as 18%, appears when you type that percentage.
Privacy and advice disclaimer
Numbers never leave your browser. Percentage guides are educational, not financial advice, and tipping norms vary—see our terms and privacy policy.