Tipping Etiquette Guide
Not sure how much to tip? Tipping standards vary by country and service, but in the United States, the following guidelines are generally accepted:
- 15% - Standard service; appropriate for average dining experiences.
- 18% - Good service; a very common default tip for most sit-down meals.
- 20% to 25% - Excellent or exceptional service.
- 10% - Poor service, or standard for buffet/takeout where less table service is required.
How to Tip Without a Calculator
If your phone dies at the dinner table, use the "10% trick" to calculate a 20% tip instantly in your head:
- Take your total bill (e.g., $45.00).
- Move the decimal point one place to the left to find 10% (e.g., $4.50).
- Double that number to get 20% (e.g., $4.50 × 2 = $9.00).
If you want to leave 15%, just take your 10% amount, cut it in half to get 5%, and add the two together! (e.g., $4.50 + $2.25 = $6.75).