Do you know when to tip? This guide to tipping can help

It’s a familiar scenario to most of us: You’re purchasing something at a counter or checking out after a service. Suddenly, you freeze. Wait, you think, do people tip for this? If so, how much? And should you tip in cash or with a credit or debit card? Did you even budget enough for an appropriate tip?

With a little research—starting with this comprehensive guide to tipping—you can avoid any potential social gaffes and master the art of showing your appreciation, whether you’re at a salon or a café. Here’s everything you need to know to give gratuities gracefully.

When to tip

The line between tippable and non-tippable service is blurring. California-based etiquette expert Elaine Swann says, “We’re seeing more requests for tips in places we never did before.”

For example, increasingly, there’s an option to add a tip at a retail counter. Swann says, “If you couldn’t find what you were looking for and someone helped you, if they went out of their way and were very gracious, then sure, show your appreciation. But other than that, you don’t have to tip in a retail store.”

However, you’re expected to tip in plenty of places, and the rules for each scenario vary. Let’s break it down by industry.

Tipping at restaurants

For generations, the standard restaurant tip was always “15% for good service, 20% for great,” Swann says. Now, she observes, the minimum is closer to 15% to 18%, and 20% to 25% for exemplary service.

But Swann cautions to inquire where exactly your gratuity is going. “Often, a restaurant will add an 18% gratuity for large groups. But is that tip going to the server? If you’re unsure, ask management what the fee is for—that way, you can make a more informed decision about how much to tip your server.”

Finally, the consensus is that you don’t need to tip at a fast-casual restaurant (where you order at a counter versus having table service). But if you feel you’ve received exemplary service, it’s appreciated. One notable exception is the coffee shop, where a $1 or $2 tip per drink is standard.

How much to tip food delivery

Tipping for food delivery should be treated like good service at a restaurant: You tip a minimum of 18% to 20%. If you’re ordering a lot, the weather is bad, or the driver is coming a far distance, consider adding a few extra percentage points. And make no mistake: The “delivery fee” on your bill goes to the company, not your delivery person, so don’t lower your tip based on that fee.

How much to tip at bars

The standard at a traditional establishment, where you order and receive your drink directly from the bartender, is about $1 per beer and $2 per cocktail. However, if you’re at an upscale cocktail bar and your mixologist has gone to great lengths, you should tip 20% of the final tab at the end of your visit.

How to tip your movers

Moving can be more expensive than you think, so make sure you factor 20% of your total moving costs as a tip for your movers. If you have, for example, a collection of grand pianos or bowling balls, add a little more for their trouble.

Your moving crew will typically be managed by a leader who handles the paperwork and primarily communicates with you. It’s acceptable to give them the entire tip at the end of the move and explain that it should be shared with the full crew.

Tipping for cabs and ride-shares

The bottom line, Swann says, is that since cab rides customarily conclude with a tip, ride-share trips should, too. Include a tip in the app used to schedule the car service; if you’re wondering how much to tip your ride-share driver, the standard is about 15%.

How to tip a valet

When tipping the valet who parks and retrieves your car, the standard tip is between $3 and $5, depending on the level of service.

Tipping at hotels

Hotels are full of potential tipping situations, from the person who brings your bags to your room to the housekeeper who keeps it clean. But typical practices break down like this:

Luggage attendants

If you have loads of luggage, stick with $1 or $2 per luggage item. But if you only have a couple of things, tip $5 to make the elevator ride worth their while.

Room service

What’s the best practice when ordering that steak and eggs or late-night hot fudge sundae to your room? Pretend you’re at a restaurant and tip the standard 15% to -20% if there’s not already a room service charge added to the bill.

Housekeeper or hotel maid

Tip the hotel maid between $1 and $5 per day, but don’t wait until the end of your stay, as the staff might change daily. Include a small note with the tip each day to signal the tip is for that day’s service.

Salons and spas 

How much to tip your hairstylist

The minimum tip is 15%, but the standard is closer to 20%. Include everyone involved. Tip your hair washer $2 to $5 and give 20% to anyone providing additional services. (For example, tip your hair colorist 20% of that service cost).

How much to tip at the nail salon

The same goes for tipping at the nail salon. Tip between 15% and 20% for each service (or more if the service is exceptional). For example, if you have a separate nail technician and esthetician, tip them separately based on the cost of the service provided.

If you have a regular relationship with your stylist or other personal services provider, a holiday gift is a good idea—generally a gift certificate or cash that’s equal to the cost of one session.

Do you tip a babysitter? 

Tipping a babysitter or nanny each time isn’t necessary, but an end-of-the-year gift is a nice gesture. For nannies, the standard is roughly one or two weeks’ pay; for babysitters, it’s about the cost of one evening of babysitting.

Tips at weddings

Factor in the cost of tipping when planning your wedding finances. With so many different services involved in your special day, make sure you’ve budgeted for all of them:  

Caterers/reception staff

Tip caterers and reception staff 15% to 20% of the total cost of your food bill, or $5 to $10 per guest, unless gratuity is already included in your contract.

Wedding planner

The standard tip for a wedding planner is less defined, but it tends to fall between 10% and 20%­ of the wedding cost—or a generous gift, which many newlyweds opt to do.

DJ or band members

Most people offer between $50 and $150 per DJ or between $25 and $35 to each wedding band member.

Makeup artist

The standard 15-25% is the norm for any makeup artists providing services to the bridal party.

Tips you don’t have to give

Swann clarifies that professional service providers—financial advisors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, veterinarians, therapists, or life coaches—should not be offered tips.

Similarly, some workers cannot accept tips. Delivery drivers are discouraged from doing so (so they aren’t targeted for cash), and mail carriers are forbidden from receiving monetary gifts of more than $20, per the USPS. However, Swann says, “a small gift, rather than money, is always appreciated.”

Handling common tipping dilemmas

Knowing when to tip is often complicated by various factors—but there are ways to simplify these scenarios. Here’s how to handle a few common tipping troubles:

Splitting the check

Swann says, “When you sit down at the table, simply say out loud to the group, ‘Are we splitting the check evenly, or are we all paying for ourselves?’” Addressing the problem directly makes the situation more manageable.

You received bad service

If your server treated you poorly, Swann says it’s okay for your “tip to reflect that level of service.” However, “You should always tip a restaurant server, and never less than 10%,” Swann says. “But if you give less than the standard amount, make sure the bad service was truly the fault of the server and not, for example, the chef, busser, or management.”

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Knowledge is power

Tipping can be a headache if you’re not sure what the situation requires or if you’re uncertain about what’s typically offered. But armed with this extensive guide to tipping, you’ll know the proper protocol, including when to tip, how much, and to whom.

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