Tipping culture around the world
Tipping customs vary dramatically by country and service type.
Countries where tipping is expected
- United States: 15–20% at restaurants is standard. Not tipping is considered rude.
- Canada: Similar to USA, 15–20%
- United Kingdom: 10–15% is appreciated but not mandatory
- Australia: Tipping is appreciated but not expected (10% is generous)
Countries where tipping is NOT customary
- Vietnam: Tipping is not traditional. In tourist areas, 10% may be appreciated but never expected.
- Japan: Tipping can be considered rude — excellent service is expected as standard
- China: Generally not customary, though becoming more common in tourist areas
- South Korea: Not customary
Countries where tipping is included
Many European countries add a "service charge" (10–15%) to bills automatically.
US tipping guide by service
| Service | Standard Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down) | 15–20% | 18–20% for good service |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | Minimum $3–5 |
| Takeout | 10% (optional) | Not required but appreciated |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5/night | Leave daily |
| Hotel bellhop | $1–2 per bag | |
| Taxi/rideshare | 10–15% | |
| Hair salon | 15–20% | On service, not products |
| Spa services | 15–20% | |
| Tour guide | $5–10 per person | |
| Coffee bar | $1 per drink or 10% | Optional |
Tip quality guide
Use these guidelines for restaurant service quality:
- 0% (no tip): Actively rude or offensive service
- 10%: Poor service with significant problems
- 15%: Average service — met basic expectations
- 18%: Good service — friendly and attentive
- 20%: Excellent service — went above and beyond
- 22–25%+: Outstanding service — exceptional experience
How to calculate tip quickly in your head
- 20%: Move decimal one place left (10%), then double it $47.50 → $4.75 (10%) → $9.50 (20%)
- 15%: Find 10%, add half of that $47.50 → $4.75 + $2.375 ≈ $7.00
- 18%: Find 10%, double it, subtract a bit $47.50 → $9.50 − ~$0.50 = $9.00
Splitting bills fairly
When splitting with a group, decide upfront whether to:
- Split evenly: Everyone pays equal share regardless of what they ordered
- Split by order: Each person pays for their own items
- One person pays: Others Venmo/transfer their share
For large groups, splitting evenly is usually easiest and avoids awkward calculations.
Vietnam tipping guide
In Vietnam, tipping is becoming more common in tourist areas but is never required:
- Restaurants: Not expected, 10% appreciated for exceptional service
- Hotels: 20,000–50,000 VND for housekeeping/bellhop appreciated
- Tour guides: 50,000–100,000 VND per person if excellent
- Taxis: Round up to nearest 5,000–10,000 VND (optional)
- Massage/spa: 10–15% appreciated
How to calculate tips free
- Go to Tip Calculator
- Enter your bill amount
- Select tip percentage (10%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 25%, or custom)
- Enter number of people splitting
- See per-person amount with rounding options