Tipping Etiquette in the US: What's Actually Expected in 2026

18–20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard range for table service in most of the US, with 20% increasingly treated as the baseline rather than the top end. For exceptional service, 22–25% is generous but not unusual in bigger cities. For a large party, check your bill first — many restaurants automatically add an 18–20% gratuity for tables of six or more.

Food delivery typically gets 15–20% of the order total, with a $5 minimum for smaller orders since the driver's time cost is similar regardless of order size. Takeout you pick up yourself is more of a judgment call — many people tip 10% or skip it entirely if they simply walked in and grabbed a bag, though tipping something for a made-to-order coffee or complex takeout order is increasingly common.

Hairdressers, barbers, and manicurists are typically tipped 15–20% of the service cost. If multiple people worked on you (a colorist and a stylist, for example), tip each of them individually rather than splitting one tip. Movers, if you're using a service, are usually tipped $20–40 per person for a half-day job, more for a full day or a difficult move.

If you're unsure what a specific situation calls for, 18–20% is a safe default for most service industries where tipping is standard practice at all. Our Tip Calculator lets you enter the bill and adjust the percentage with a slider, then splits the total evenly across your group.