Here's how much you should tip in every situation

waitress server restaurant cafe
The average tipper tips about 15% to 20%. tartanparty/Shutterstock

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate products and services to help you make smart decisions with your money.

Advertisement

Every service industry has its own tipping norm, which often causes customers to question how much to tip and when.

Tim Urban, from Wait But Why, a self-described "procrastination website," took it upon himself to shed light on tipping norms by asking over 100 service workers in New York City about their experiences.

The people he consulted included waiters, bartenders, barbers, doormen, valets, and more from different neighborhoods and different businesses. He then compared their feedback with accounts from his site's readers and industry research, particularly that of tipping expert Wm. Michael Lynn.

The findings are summarized in Wait But Why's comprehensive tipping chart below:

Advertisement
chart tipping statistics
Wait But Why

You'll notice that average tippers across most industries give about 15% to 20%, and that it's always a good idea to tip more in extenuating circumstances — like if your food delivery person had to brave bad weather or if you've ordered an elaborate cocktail that takes your bartender three times as long as it would to pour a beer.

Read more: 15 ways to make people respect you immediately

While most of us may try and tip 20% of our meal so as not to seem cheap, keep in mind that you should never tip under 15% in a restaurant or bar. If your service was terrible, take it up with the manager. Most servers rely heavily on tips as a major part of their salaries, so neglecting to tip means they may be working nearly for free. In many places, tips are shared among the staff, so stiffing a service person on a tip may do more than punish just that individual.

And if you aren't tipping, it's nicer to leave the line on your bill for the tip blank and fill in the total below. Putting a zero in the empty space apparently comes across as pointed and mean.

Advertisement

Business Insider is looking for your personal finance stories. Are you paying off student debt, using a handy spreadsheet to manage your savings, or budgeting for a big splurge or early retirement? Share your stories, spreadsheets and tips with us here: lbrandt@businessinsider.com.

Advertisement
Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

Jump to

  1. Main content
  2. Search
  3. Account