Tip Calculator: How Much Should You Tip Around the World?

Tipping might be the most culturally confusing piece of math in the world. The same act — handing over an extra few dollars after a meal — is expected in New York, optional in London, baked-in in Paris and actively insulting in Tokyo. This guide gives you the percentages, the cultural norms, and a mental shortcut for every common situation.

The standard formulas

Tip amount = Bill × (Tip % ÷ 100) Total = Bill + Tip amount

Split between people = Total ÷ Number of people

Example. A $84 restaurant bill, 18% tip, 3 people: Tip = 84 × 0.18 = $15.12 Total = $99.12 Per person = $33.04

Tipping by country

United States — Tipping is part of wages. Server minimum wage is far below standard minimum in most states. Norms: - Restaurants: 18–22% (pre-tax) - Bars: $1–2 per drink, or 18–20% on tab - Taxis/Uber: 15–20% - Hotel housekeeping: $3–5 per night - Hairdresser/Barber: 15–20%

Canada — 15–20%. Similar conventions to US.

United Kingdom — Often included as 12.5% service charge — check the bill. If not, 10–15% for good service. No tipping in pubs except for unusual help.

Australia & New Zealand — Optional. Round up or 10% for genuinely great service. Wait staff are paid a real wage.

Western Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain) — Service is usually included ("service compris" / "servizio incluso"). Round up or leave 5–10% on top for great service.

Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) — Round up. Anything beyond is generous, not expected.

Japan, South Korea, China — Do not tip in most restaurants — it can be received as rude or confusing. Exception: high-end hotels and tour guides accept tips quietly.

Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE) — 10–15% in restaurants (often a 10% service charge added). Tip taxi drivers by rounding up.

India — 5–10% in restaurants if no service charge. Small tip to hotel staff and tour guides.

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) — Generally not expected; small tip for great service appreciated. High-end venues add a 10% service charge.

Quick mental shortcuts

• 10% — move decimal one place left. Bill $46 → $4.60.
• 15% — 10% + half of 10%. $46 → $4.60 + $2.30 = $6.90.
• 18% — almost 20%. Double the 10% and subtract a bit. $46 → $9.20 − a few cents ≈ $8.30.
• 20% — double the 10%. $46 → $9.20.
• 25% — quarter. $46 → $11.50.

Splitting the bill

Three approaches, ranked by friction:

1. Equal split. Bill ÷ people. Easy, sometimes unfair. 2. By order, plus equal share of tip + tax. Fair, requires receipt math. 3. One person pays, others reimburse. Friction-free at the table; can get awkward if someone ghosts.

Apps like Splitwise, Settle Up and Tricount automate option 3 for trips.

Tipping for services other than food

• Hotel concierge — $5–20 for a tough booking.
• Bellhop / porter — $1–2 per bag.
• Valet — $2–5.
• Spa/massage — 15–20% in US; included in much of Europe.
• Movers — $20–40 per mover for a long day.
• Food delivery — 10–15% in US, optional elsewhere (driver wages vary).

When NOT to tip

• Service was actively bad — talk to the manager first.
• A service charge is already on the bill (read carefully).
• In countries where tipping is not customary or is rude.
• For automatic gratuities on large parties (already included).

Frequently asked questions

Tip on pre-tax or post-tax? US convention is pre-tax. Many people simply tip on the total to keep it simple.

Is tipping going away? "No-tipping" restaurants in the US have mostly failed because diners expect the lower headline prices and customer pushback is huge. The cash-tip model is sticky.

Should I tip when traveling abroad? Match local norms — over-tipping isn't generous, it disrupts local wage structures.

Try our Percentage Calculator for instant tip math or use the dedicated Tip Calculator to split bills cleanly.