The Comprehensive Guide to Gratuity: Tipping Math & Dining Etiquette
Tipping etiquette varies substantially around the world. In North America (the United States and Canada), gratuity is a foundational component of service industry compensation, representing the bulk of take-home pay for servers, bartenders, and delivery drivers.
Standard US Restaurant Tipping Tiers
- 15%: Acceptable baseline for standard, adequate sit-down table service.
- 18%: Recommended standard for good, attentive service across casual and mid-scale dining.
- 20%: Strong standard for great service, large groups, or fine dining experiences.
- 25%+: Reserved for exemplary service, personalized hospitality, or holiday dining.
Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Tipping
Etiquette experts agree: always compute your tip against the pre-tax subtotal. State and municipal sales taxes are government surcharges—you should tip on the food, beverages, and hospitality provided by the waitstaff, not on sales taxes.
Tip FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping
Clear answers on tipping percentages, pre-tax calculations, and splitting restaurant bills.