U.S. tipping guide · 2026
Restaurant, bar & event tipping guide
For U.S. restaurants, bars and events, 15%–20% of the bill is standard, with 20% the common reference for good service — and check whether an event contract already includes a service charge.
Based on: The Emily Post Institute, NerdWallet
What's normal in this category
This is the most familiar tipping territory and still the one with the most traps: the pre-tax versus post-tax question, per-drink versus percentage at a bar, and the service charge already sitting in your catering contract. Here's how each is normally handled.
Commonly tipped services, at a glance
- $1–$2 per drink, or 15%–20% of the tabMost common: 20% of the tab
Goes higher for: Complex cocktails, a busy bar where you were served promptly, a bartender holding a spot, or a long session.
Calculate a tip - 15%–20% of the billMost common: 20% of the bill
Goes higher for: Large parties, a long table hold, extensive substitutions, or exceptional service on a busy night.
Calculate a tip - 15%–20% of the service feeMost common: 20% of the service fee
Goes higher for: Long events, difficult weather at outdoor venues, staff who handled last-minute changes, or a much larger guest count than planned.
Calculate a tip - $1–$2 per order, or up to 10% on a big orderMost common: $1–$2 per order
Goes higher for: A large or custom order, a long wait handled well, a hot day at the window, or a cook who accommodated an allergy or substitution.
Calculate a tip - Nothing on a routine order; $1–$2 for extra care, or 5%–15% on a big orderMost common: $1–$2 for extra care
Goes higher for: A large order for a group, a custom or allergy-adjusted order, a busy window or holiday shift handled well, or a barista who nailed a complicated drink.
Calculate a tip - 10%–15% of the order, with a $2–$5 minimum on a small orderMost common: 15% of the order
Goes higher for: Bad weather, a long or rural delivery, multiple flights of stairs, a large or heavy order, or a driver who kept you updated through a mix-up.
Calculate a tip - 10%–15% of the order, with a $2–$5 minimum on a small orderMost common: 15% of the order
Goes higher for: Bad weather, a long or rural delivery, several flights of stairs, a large or heavy order, or a Dasher who stayed in touch through a restaurant delay.
Calculate a tip - 10%–15% of the order, with a $2–$5 minimum on a small orderMost common: 15% of the order
Goes higher for: Bad weather, a long trip, a walk-up with no elevator, a large order, or a courier who handled a restaurant mix-up well.
Calculate a tip - 10%–15% of the order, with a $2–$5 minimum on a small orderMost common: 15% of the order
Goes higher for: A long list, heavy cases of drinks or pet food, lots of substitutions to judge, a delivery up stairs, or a shopper who messaged about out-of-stock items instead of guessing.
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Frequently asked
How much should you tip a bartender?+
In the U.S., bartenders are commonly tipped $1–$2 per drink or 15%–20% of the tab, with 20% a common reference point for a full tab.
How much should you tip a waiter or server?+
In the U.S., 15%–20% of the bill is the standard tipping range for restaurant servers, with 20% a common reference point for good service.
How much should you tip wedding or event staff?+
In the U.S., wedding and event staff — bartenders, catering staff, hair and makeup artists — are commonly tipped 15%–20% of the service fee when gratuity isn't already included.
How much should you tip at a food cart or food truck?+
In the U.S., tipping at a food cart or food truck is optional — a dollar or two per order is the usual gesture, with up to 10% for a big or complicated order.
How much should you tip at a drive-thru or fast-food counter?+
In the U.S., tipping at a drive-thru or fast-food counter is optional — most orders carry no tip, with a dollar or two for extra care or a large, custom order.
How much should you tip a food delivery driver?+
Tipping food delivery drivers is customary in the U.S. A common range is 10%–15% of the order, with a $2–$5 minimum on a small order — more for bad weather, a long distance or a lot of stairs.
How much should you tip a DoorDash driver?+
Tipping a Dasher is customary in the U.S. A common range is 10%–15% of the order, with a $2–$5 minimum on a small one. DoorDash states that Dashers receive 100% of customer tips, and the app lets you add or raise a tip after the delivery as well as at checkout.
How much should you tip an Uber Eats driver?+
Tipping an Uber Eats courier is customary in the U.S. A common range is 10%–15% of the order, with a $2–$5 minimum on a small one. Uber states that no service fees are taken out of tips, and a tip can be added after the delivery as well as at checkout.
How much should you tip an Instacart shopper?+
Tipping an Instacart shopper is customary in the U.S. A common range is 10%–15% of the order, with a $2–$5 minimum on a small one. Instacart states that 100% of the tip goes to the shopper, and that tips are separate from its service fees.
Go deeper
Sources
Every range in this guide comes from these published references. Each calculator page cites its own.
Sources reviewed:
- The Emily Post Institute — General Tipping Guide — Treats delivery as a customary tip, distinct from optional counter and take-out tipping.
- NerdWallet — How Much to Tip Just About Everyone — Service-by-service U.S. tipping guidance built around a 15%–20% general range.
- The Knot — Wedding Vendor Tipping Cheat Sheet — Supports 15%–20% for bartenders and catering staff, and 15%–25% for hair and makeup artists.
- Zola — How Much to Tip Wedding Vendors — Supports $20–$50 per bartender or 10%–20% of the alcohol bill, and 15–20% for catering staff.
- The Emily Post Institute — Etiquette Today: Everyday Tipping — Calls tip jars and take-out discretionary — loose change or a dollar or two — with up to 10% for a large or complex order.
- Tasting Table — Should You Leave A Tip When Ordering From A Food Truck? — Puts a normal food truck tip at an extra dollar or two, calls 10% generous, and notes that skipping the tip at a truck is far more accepted than skipping a server (November 2023).
- Tasting Table — The Essential Etiquette For Tipping At Fast Food Restaurants — Tips aren't necessary at fast-food counters and drive-thrus; round up, a couple of dollars, or 5%–15% for a large or complex order (December 2024).
- AAA Club Alliance — Tipping Etiquette: A Guide to Gratuity Without the Guilt — Etiquette expert quoted: no obligation for counter service; $1–$2 for a custom drink or extra care (October 2025).
- Kiplinger — A Practical Guide to Tipping — Supports 10%–15% for food delivery, alongside its wider U.S. tipping guidance.
- DoorDash Help — Do Dashers receive tips? — DoorDash's own statement that Dashers receive 100% of customer tips, that tips at checkout appear in earnings immediately, and that customers can add a tip after delivery.
- Uber — How tips work (driver and courier app) — Uber's own statement that zero service fees are applied to tips and that tips belong to the driver. Also the source for the post-delivery window — and for the fact that it gives two conflicting figures (7 days and 30 days) on the same page.
- Instacart Help — Fees, taxes, and tips — Instacart's own statement that shopper tips are separate from service fees and that 100% of the tip goes to the shopper. Also the basis for saying no fixed default percentage is published.