How Much Should You Tip?

Restaurant tipping varies significantly by country. In the USA, 18–20% is standard and effectively expected. In the UK, 10–12.5% is typical. In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is appreciated but not mandatory — 10% is generous. In Japan and South Korea, tipping is not practised and may even cause offence. Use our country selector above to get the exact recommended percentage for your destination.

Tipping is not legally mandatory anywhere, but in some countries it is so deeply embedded in culture that it is functionally expected. In the USA, servers often earn below minimum wage and rely on tips for their income — making 18–20% effectively obligatory. In some Middle Eastern countries, a service charge is automatically added to the bill. Always check your bill for a "service charge" line before adding an additional tip.

Cash tips are almost always preferred by service workers, as they receive the money immediately and directly. Card tips can be subject to delays and, in some establishments, pooling arrangements. If you want to ensure the individual who served you receives your tip, hand it to them directly in cash. When travelling internationally, carry a small amount of local currency specifically for tipping.

For a 10% tip: move the decimal point one place to the left (a $45 bill = $4.50 tip). For 20%: double the 10% figure ($45 bill = $9.00 tip). For 15%: calculate 10% then add half again ($4.50 + $2.25 = $6.75). Or simply use our calculator above — it works on any phone in seconds.

In the USA, there is debate on this — technically tipping on the pre-tax amount is more correct, but most people tip on the post-tax total shown on the bill as it is simpler. The difference on a typical restaurant bill is small. In countries where tipping is less customary, this distinction is irrelevant. Our calculator works on whatever bill total you enter.

In the USA and Canada, $2–5 per night left on the pillow or bedside table each day (not just checkout day) is standard. In the UK, £1–2 per night is appreciated. In Australia, $2–3 per night is a kind gesture though not expected. In most of Asia, Europe (outside tourist-heavy areas), and Latin America, tipping housekeeping is less common but always appreciated. Leave the tip in an envelope or with a note to ensure it goes to the right person.

In the USA and Canada, tipping Uber and Lyft drivers 10–20% via the app is now standard and expected, as base fares have been cut significantly. In Australia and New Zealand, tipping rideshare drivers is not customary but appreciated for exceptional service. In the UK and most of Europe, tipping rideshare drivers is not standard. In Asia, it varies by country — check our individual country pages for specific guidance.

Enter your total bill amount, select your tip percentage, then use the + and − buttons to set the number of people splitting the bill. The calculator will show you the tip per person and the total amount per person (bill + tip divided equally). This assumes an equal split — if people ordered different amounts, each person can enter their individual bill amount separately.