How Much to Tip at a Restaurant
A restaurant tip calculator takes the guesswork out of one of dining's most common dilemmas: how much do I leave for my server? In the United States, tipping is a standard expectation at sit-down restaurants, and the range you're expected to tip has risen over the past decade.
The national standard in 2026 is 18–20% of the pre-tax bill for good service. Use the calculator above to get the exact dollar amount — no mental math needed.
Restaurant Tip Amounts by Service Quality
| Service Level | Tip % | On a $60 Bill | On a $100 Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below average | 10–15% | $6–$9 | $10–$15 |
| Good service | 18–20% | $10.80–$12 | $18–$20 |
| Excellent service | 20–25% | $12–$15 | $20–$25 |
| Outstanding / special | 25–30% | $15–$18 | $25–$30 |
Should You Tip on Pre-Tax or Post-Tax?
The etiquette standard is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal — the amount before sales tax is added. The tax is a government charge, not part of the service your server provided. In practice, the difference on a typical restaurant bill is usually $1–3, so many people tip on the total for simplicity. Either approach is fine.
Tipping for Large Groups
Many restaurants automatically add an 18–20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more. Always check your bill before adding an extra tip — you may already have paid one. If no auto-gratuity is added, use the "Split Between" field in the calculator above to divide the tip and total fairly among everyone at the table.
Quick Tip Reference
| Bill | 15% Tip | 18% Tip | 20% Tip | 25% Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $35 | $5.25 | $6.30 | $7.00 | $8.75 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 | $18.75 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum tip at a restaurant?
The minimum expected tip at a US sit-down restaurant is 10–15%, even for poor service. Leaving nothing is considered very rude — servers earn a tipped minimum wage as low as $2.13/hr federally and depend on tips to reach standard minimum wage.
How much do you tip a waiter on a $50 bill?
On a $50 restaurant bill: 15% = $7.50, 18% = $9.00, 20% = $10.00. The calculator above handles any amount instantly. Most diners leave $9–10 on a $50 bill.
Do you tip at a buffet restaurant?
Yes, though less than at a full-service restaurant. At a buffet where staff refill drinks and clear plates, a tip of 10% or $1–2 per person is appropriate. No tip is expected at completely self-service buffets.
Is it OK to tip less for bad service?
Yes — tipping reflects the quality of service. If your server was rude, negligent, or made multiple mistakes, tipping 10–15% is acceptable. If the issue was with the kitchen (slow food, wrong order), consider this wasn't your server's fault before reducing the tip.