Mastering Restaurant Etiquette
Tipping practices vary widely around the world. In some countries, a service charge is automatically included in the bill, or tipping is not expected at all. However, in countries like the United States and Canada, tipping is a standard practice and forms a significant portion of a server's income.
Our Tip Calculator removes the mental math at the end of a meal, ensuring you leave an appropriate gratuity and can quickly split the total cost fairly among everyone at the table.
Standard Tipping Guidelines
While tipping is ultimately at your discretion based on the quality of service, here are the generally accepted guidelines in North America for restaurant dining:
- 15% - For average or basic service.
- 18% - For good, standard service. (This is increasingly becoming the baseline).
- 20% to 25% - For exceptional, above-and-beyond service.
- 10% - For poor service (though some argue leaving a small tip is better than leaving nothing, as it signals dissatisfaction rather than forgetfulness).
Tipping Before or After Tax?
A common debate is whether you should calculate the tip based on the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax final bill. Technically, etiquette experts suggest tipping on the pre-tax subtotal, as you shouldn't have to tip on government taxes.
However, many diners find it easier to simply calculate the percentage based on the final total at the bottom of the receipt. If you choose to tip on the post-tax amount, your server will certainly appreciate the slightly larger gratuity!