Movers
Local moves, long-distance moves, stairs, heavy furniture
$20-$50 per mover
Tipping guide
How Much to Tip in 2026
Use this quick guide to choose a fair tip for restaurants, delivery, movers, salons, hotels, rideshares, and other common services.
Quick answer
18-20%
Standard for restaurant table service and many personal services.
$4-$6
Common minimum for food delivery, even on smaller orders.
$2-$5
Typical for valet, bellhop help, or hotel housekeeping per night.
How much to tip by service
Pick the service closest to your situation for a dedicated guide and calculator.
Hairdresser
Haircuts, color, blowouts, shampoo assistants
15-20%
Tattoo artist
Small tattoos, custom work, full-day sessions
15-25%
Valet
Hotels, restaurants, events, bad weather
$2-$5
Hotel housekeeping
Daily cleaning, luxury hotels, suites, longer stays
$2-$5 per night
Dog groomer
Full grooming, nail trims, anxious pets, mobile groomers
15-20%
Nail salon
Manicures, pedicures, gel, nail art
15-20%
Barber
Haircuts, beard trims, fades, lineups
15-20%
DoorDash
Food delivery, long distance, bad weather, grocery orders
$4-$6 or 15-20%
Instacart
Grocery delivery, heavy items, stairs, large orders
$5+ or 15-20%
Useful tip calculators
How to choose the right tip
Start with the standard range for the service, then adjust for difficulty, time, weather, special requests, and whether the worker handled extra work. A simple restaurant bill may only need a percentage, while movers, valet, housekeeping, and delivery often use minimum dollar amounts.
When to tip more
- Bad weather, stairs, heavy items, long wait times, or late-night service.
- Large groups, complicated orders, custom work, or long appointments.
- Holiday periods or repeat service providers you rely on often.
When to check before tipping
Always check for automatic gratuity, service charges, resort fees, or app fees before adding a full extra tip. If a charge is unclear, ask whether it goes to the worker.
Common questions
How much should you tip in the United States?
For table service, 18-20% is standard. For delivery, use $4-$6 or 15-20%. For flat-rate services like valet or housekeeping, tip a few dollars per service or per night.
Is 15% still an acceptable tip?
15% is usually the lower end for average service. For good restaurant service in the US, 18-20% is now more common.
Should I tip before or after tax?
Traditional etiquette calculates tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Tipping on the total after tax is also common and is usually simpler.
Do I tip if a service charge is already included?
Check the bill first. If an automatic gratuity or service charge is included, you do not need to add another full tip unless the service was exceptional.
Need the exact amount?
Enter your bill, choose a percentage, and split the total instantly.
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