Tip screen guide
You never have to tip on a counter tip screen. Tip when someone made something to order or served you; $1 or 10–15% is plenty for counter service.
Try the tip screen
Here's a $6.75 latte. Tap a button and compare what the screen says with what you actually tipped, as a share of your drink.
Total $7.31
Add a tip?
Tap an option.
What's normal at the counter
| Situation | Reasonable tip |
|---|---|
| Drip coffee, bottled drink, packaged food | None expected |
| Espresso drink or made-to-order item | $1 or 10–15% |
| Takeout from a sit-down restaurant | Optional, 0–10% |
| Fast casual with food brought to table | 10–15% |
| Self-checkout or kiosk with no service | None |
| Large or complicated catering order | 10–15% |
Why tip screens feel pushy
Tablets like Square and Toast make asking for tips as easy for businesses as tapping a setting, so prompts now appear in places where tipping was never customary. The business also picks the preset buttons. Presets of 20/25/30% make 20% look like the modest choice. Knowing that makes it easier to pick "Custom" or "No tip" without guilt.
At a sit-down restaurant it's different: a handheld tip screen there is just a way of paying, and the usual 18–20% restaurant tip applies. If the presets are calculated on the total, use Custom to tip on the pre-tax amount, or use the tip calculator to find the number.
Questions people ask
Do I have to tip on a tip screen?
No. A tip prompt at a counter, kiosk or self-checkout is a request, not a charge. "No tip" is always an acceptable choice, especially when you ordered and picked up yourself.
Are tip screen percentages calculated before or after tax?
It depends on the POS settings chosen by the business. Many calculate on the total including tax, which means a "20%" button can be more than 20% of what you bought.
When should I tip at a counter?
Tip when someone made something to order (a latte, a sandwich), carried food to your table, or handled a big or complicated order. $1 or 10–15% is plenty for counter service.
Why do tip screens start at 20% or more?
Businesses choose the preset buttons. Higher defaults nudge customers to tip more; research on "default effects" shows people often pick the middle option.