Valet ParkingTip Calculator
The car came back, keys in hand — tell us where you parked, and we'll help you land on a fair tip for the person who ran for it
How much should you tip valet parking?
In the U.S., $2–$5 per retrieval is a common tipping range for valet parking, with $5 per car a useful reference point.
- Typical U.S. range
- $2–$5 per retrieval
- Common reference
- $5 per car
What’s common in the U.S.
In the U.S., valet tips are typically given when the car is returned. $2–$5 per retrieval is a common reference range, while $10 or $20 remain optional higher choices for unusual effort or especially generous situations.
What tippos suggests
tippos suggests starting from the kind of place you parked at, factoring in how the pickup went, and choosing the per-car amount that feels right for the service you got.
Tipping is always your decision. These numbers are context, not a requirement, and no amount is ever preselected for you.
Sources & methodology
Sources reviewed: August 22, 2026
tippos compares the references below to provide practical U.S. context. The final amount is always your decision.
- The Emily Post Institute — General Tipping GuideGives a $2–$5 valet reference and advises tipping when the car is returned.
- Kiplinger — A Practical Guide to TippingProvides current U.S. context for valet and other service tips.