Tip Calculator

Standard tipping in 2026: 18% for adequate service, 20% for good service, 22%–25% for excellent service. Tip before tax on the pre-tax total for the most accurate calculation, though most people tip on the post-tax total (results in slightly higher tip). On a $85 dinner bill: 20% = $17 tip, $102 total. 22% = $18.70 tip, $103.70 total. Tipping below 15% is considered poor form in the US restaurant industry, where servers typically earn $2.13/hour base wage in most states and rely on tips for the majority of their income.

For delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub): 15%–20% of the order total is standard, with a $3–$5 minimum regardless of order size. Delivery drivers pay for their own gas, wear on their vehicle, and sometimes wait 10–20 minutes at restaurants. Pre-tipping (before the order is accepted) generally leads to faster delivery. For direct restaurant delivery (pizza, Chinese), 15%–20% is standard. For grocery delivery (Instacart), 15%–20% plus extra for large or heavy orders.

Counter service tipping is genuinely optional — unlike sit-down restaurants, counter staff typically earn full minimum wage and aren't dependent on tips. Most people tip $0.50–$1 for basic coffee, 10%–15% for more complex orders or regular customers. The tip prompts on iPad payment systems at coffee shops and fast food create social pressure, but there's no social obligation equivalent to sit-down service. Tipping when you receive no table service is a personal choice, not an industry norm.

Etiquette traditionally says pre-tax — you tip on the food and service, not on the tax. But in practice, most people tip on the post-tax total for simplicity, and the difference is small. On a $100 food bill with 8.5% tax ($108.50 total): 20% on pre-tax = $20; 20% on post-tax = $21.70. The extra $1.70 is meaningful to a server on a slow night and negligible to most diners. Either approach is acceptable.

The easiest approaches: (1) Split evenly — works if everyone ordered similarly priced items; (2) Pay for what you ordered — use the calculator above to see each person's share; (3) Venmo the organizer — one person pays the full bill and others pay their share plus tip via Venmo or Cash App. For large groups, ask the server to split the check before ordering — most restaurants handle this easily. Splitting a bill after the fact is more error-prone and awkward.