After deciding who pays, there is one more line on a U.S. restaurant bill to fill in: the tip. In the U.S., servers at sit-down restaurants earn much of their pay from tips, which is why the custom is so strong here.
Key idea
At a sit-down restaurant in the U.S., about 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax is customary, more for great service. Tipping customs differ abroad, where service may be included or tipping not expected.
Why it works
The tip rewards the work of serving you, and in the U.S. it is a large part of how servers are paid. That is why leaving no tip at a sit-down restaurant, even after slow service, is seen as a slight. Figuring it on the bill before tax makes sense because the tax goes to the government, not to the service. These percentages are a guide, not a law.
Figuring a tip in your head
- 10 percent: move the decimal point one place left. On \$46.00 that is \$4.60.
- 20 percent: double the 10 percent. On \$46.00 that is \$9.20.
- 15 percent: 10 percent plus half of it. On \$46.00 that is \$4.60 + \$2.30 = \$6.90.
Worked example: A 20 percent tip
The bill before tax is \$35.00; tax adds \$2.80, for \$37.80. Rosa wants to tip 20 percent of the bill before tax. How much is the tip?
- Start from the bill before tax: \$35.00.
- 10 percent is \$3.50. Double it for 20 percent: \$7.00.
- She adds \$7.00, so she pays \$37.80 + \$7.00 = \$44.80.
Answer: A tip of \$7.00.
Worked example: A 15 percent tip
The bill before tax is \$60.00. What is a 15 percent tip?
- 10 percent is \$6.00.
- Half of that is \$3.00.
- Add them: \$6.00 + \$3.00 = \$9.00.
Answer: \$9.00.
Common mistake
Tipping on the total with tax and getting confused, or carrying U.S. tipping habits abroad where service is included or tipping is not expected. Percent amounts are a guide, not a law. Quick check: find the line before tax, take 10 percent, and build from there.
Customs differ: in many countries service is included in the bill or a tip is small or not expected at all, and in a few, a tip can puzzle people. Before you travel, read about the local custom, or ask at your hotel.