| Service | Typical tip | Dollar minimum | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 18-22% | - | 20% is the 2026 baseline for competent service |
| Bar / cocktail tab | 15-20% | $1-2 per drink | Per-drink minimum common at busy bars |
| Food delivery app | 15-20% | $3 | Delivery fee does not reach the driver |
| Pizza delivery | 15-20% | $3-5 | More for bad weather or a long drive |
| Rideshare / taxi | 10-15% | $2 | 15-20% for longer or exceptional trips |
| Hotel housekeeping | - | $3-5 per night | Left daily; staff rotates |
| Hotel bellhop | - | $1-2 per bag | $5 minimum for more than a quick carry |
| Hair salon / spa | 15-20% | - | Separate $3-5 for a wash-only assistant |
| Grocery delivery (Instacart) | 10-20% | $5 | App default of 5% runs below the norm |
| Coffee shop / counter | 0-15% | $1 | Optional; not a social expectation |
| Large party (6+, auto-grat) | 18-20% | - | Usually added automatically; do not tip twice |
Methodology
Every range in this table matches the quick-tip presets and per-guide ranges published elsewhere on TipCalcTool: the 15/18/20/25 percent buttons on the tip calculator, and the service-specific breakdowns in the US tipping etiquette guide and the delivery and rideshare guide. These are the site's own tool defaults, plainly labeled as US social convention, not a legal requirement or a specific employer's policy. Two figures are drawn from named, dated third-party surveys rather than the site's own model: the 81 percent always-tip figure at sit-down restaurants comes from a Pew Research Center report published November 9, 2023, and the federal tipped minimum cash wage of $2.13 per hour comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's published wage tables, current as of 2026. This page is reviewed annually and whenever the site's calculator defaults change; the review date is the "Updated" date above.
How to cite this page
https://tipcalctool.com/2026-tipping-referenceFrequently asked questions
Where do the ranges in the 2026 Tipping Reference come from?
They come from this site's own tip calculator defaults (the same 15/18/20/25 percent quick-tip buttons on the homepage) cross-checked against the service-by-service breakdown in the site's tipping guides. They describe US customary convention, not a law, contract, or employer policy.
Is tipping legally required in the United States?
No. Tipping is a social convention, not a legal obligation, except where a restaurant discloses a mandatory service charge (common for parties of 6 or more) as part of the price of service. A voluntary tip left below these ranges is not illegal; it may simply fall short of local expectations.
How often is this reference updated?
The table is reviewed annually and whenever the site's calculator defaults change. This version reflects 2026 US customary ranges as published on this page's last update date below.