How Much to Tip at a Restaurant (Sit-Down, Buffet, Takeout)

How much to tip at a restaurant

18–20% of the pre-tax bill for table service

In the US, servers are often paid a tipped minimum wage (federally $2.13 an hour), so the tip is most of their pay. For normal table service, 18–20% of the food-and-drink subtotal is the everyday standard; Toast's Restaurant Trends data puts the average full-service tip at about 19%.

Tip by type of restaurant

Full-service, sit-down: 18–20%. Go to 22–25% for great service, a long stay at the table, or a complicated order.
Buffet: around 10%, since the server mainly brings drinks and clears plates.
Counter service and fast casual: optional. 0–15% is normal; tip more if staff carried food to the table or handled a large custom order.
Takeout: optional; 0–10% is common, a little more for a big or fiddly order.

Large parties and auto-gratuity

Many restaurants add an automatic gratuity (often 18–20%) for parties of six or more. Check the receipt for "gratuity" or "service charge" lines before adding a tip on top. If it is already there, you don't need to tip again unless service was exceptional.

Pre-tax or after tax?

Etiquette guides such as the Emily Post Institute recommend tipping on the pre-tax amount. The difference is small (about 1–2 dollars on a $100 dinner), so either is fine, but pre-tax is the standard.

Questions people ask

Is 15% still an acceptable restaurant tip?

15% is the low end for sit-down service in the US today. It is reasonable for so-so service, but 18–20% is the everyday norm.

Should I tip on alcohol?

Yes. Tip on the full food-and-drink subtotal. For an expensive bottle of wine, some diners tip a smaller percentage on the wine portion; that is acceptable.

Do I tip on a discounted or comped meal?

Tip on what the bill would have been before the discount, coupon or gift card. The server did the same work.

How much to tip at a restaurant

Tip by type of restaurant

Large parties and auto-gratuity

Pre-tax or after tax?

Questions people ask

Not sure what to tip? Ask.

Other tipping guides