How Much to Tip at a Restaurant
There is much debate about tipping etiquette in tipping culture. A tipping calculator can help you quickly calculate how much gratuity to leave.
As a rule of thumb, tip amounts vary by time of day and meal. For example, it is considered standard to tip 15% for good service at breakfast. That tip percentage increases to 20% for evening meals and nicer restaurants.
Here are the four scales of service to consider:
- Below Average: Poor service is generally not rewarded as much as excellent service. Markers of below-average service at a restaurant could be missing orders, mixed-up orders, or a lack of attention to the table.
- Average: This level of service simply meets expectations. This could mean that your order was placed correctly and your food was delivered. However, you might not have been checked on as frequently as you like.
- Above Average: A higher-order service gets all your orders correct, regularly checks on your table, answers questions, and offers suggestions on the menu based on your preferences.
- Excellent: Excellent service can be an extraordinary curative experience. All your needs were met, and your service providers surprised and delighted you with their attention to detail, suggestions, and speed of attention.
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Not all restaurant servers give the same level of experience to customers. Like with any job, experienced servicers understand when to give curated suggestions, fill the void when the kitchen is backed up, and offer complimentary insights based on their guests. Let’s turn to a simple tipping calculator you can use when dining out alone or with friends and family.
Tipping Calculator
Calculator
Tipping Calculator
How Much to Tip for Services
Tipping doesn’t stop at the restaurant. Many professions rely heavily on tipping as a significant component of compensation. For other service professionals, the recommended tipping range is 15% to 20%, depending on the level of personalized service.
Services where tips apply:
- Haircut
- Uber or Lyft Driver
- Massage Therapists
- Nails or Salon Services
- Party Planners
- Wedding Planners
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Tipping on Point of Sale (POS) Systems
One of the more recent post-pandemic trends has been tip creep, or the broader array of goods and services that require tipping. The rollout of POS systems to coffee shops, bakeries, local eateries, and other food establishments has seemingly increased the essential cost of everyday consumer items.
The pressure to participate in a broader tipping culture has increased. In fact, according to a recent survey by PlayUSA, over 54% of consumers feel pressure to tip during iPad POS checkouts [1].
Inflation, the general rise in prices over time, is compounded by what some financial professionals have dubbed “tipflation.” Tipflation is the rise in the amount of money you are expected to pay in gratuity and tips. Tipflation has increased the cost of buying basic beverages like coffee, drinks, and pastries.
Businesses can adjust the pre-set “recommended” tipping scale on POS systems. It is critical to tip what you feel is appropriate for the level of services and ensure your spending is in line with your monthly budget.
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(1) Play USA. The State of Tipping In 2022. Last Accessed January 15, 2025.
