Tipping is a standard practice here in the U.S. — so much so that it's second nature to most consumers. However, many still see tips as something extra, meant to be doled out based on how well someone does their job. If you're always racking your brain about how much to tip, we're here to help. We've compiled a list of the most common situations where tipping is expected, and the standard tip amount for each one. Note that we aren't saying these tips are required — you're free to tip or not tip as you prefer. This list is meant to provide general guidance. SEE ALSO: Are Tips Going Up? What Is a Good Tip? The standard number for a good tip varies from service to service. In general, a solid amount is about 18% of your bill. This falls in the middle of most recommended ranges, and should be an acceptable amount for practically any service. How Much to Tip for the Most Common Services AAA Tow Service Standard Tip Other Details $5 to $10 It's good to show your appreciation, but if the tow bill is high (or you can't afford to), it's okay not to tip Airport Shuttle Drivers Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip Other Details 15% 20% It's best to tip the shuttle driver as you would a cabbie Apartment / Building Supers Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $5 per job $10 per job When to Tip Holiday Tipping When the job is complete $75 to $150 before Thanksgiving, or between Thanksgiving and Christmas Appliance Delivery Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $10 per person $20 per person Babysitters Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 10% 15% Holiday Tipping Other Details One week's pay, gifted before the holidays Exceptional service includes things like: Cooking actual dinner Cleanup that has nothing to do with the kids Picking up kids at a play date or other event Doing a big activity with kids Dealing with a sick or difficult child Accepting a last-minute booking Staying later than planned Other unforeseen circumstances Bartenders Standard Tip When to Tip $1 per drink or 15% of total bill Before, if you want better service After, if you don't care Bathroom Attendants Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 50 cents minimum $2 to $3 per service Other Details Tip at least 50 cents if they hand you a paper towel Tip at least $2 to $3 for services like mending hems or polishing shoes Note that tipping isn't always allowed Bellhops / Porters Standard Tip When to Tip $1 to $2 per bag $5 minimum When they deliver your bags to your room When they pick your bags up Bus Drivers (Not Mass Transit) Standard Tip When to Tip $1 to $2 Only if they handle your luggage Cable / Internet / Satellite Installers Standard Tip When to Tip $20 When the job is complete Car Wash Employees Standard Tip When to Tip $2 to $3 for basic wipe down $5 to $10 for more complicated washes 15% for detailing When the job is complete Carryout / Takeout Restaurants Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip 10% Tip if your order is: Delivered curbside Complicated Large Caterers Standard Tip When to Tip 15% to 20% of total bill, or $50 per server When paying the final bill, or when the event is over Chauffeurs Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 10% 15% Coat Checkers Standard Tip When to Tip $1 per coat When dropping off If you're feeling generous, tip an extra $2 to $5 when you pick up Concierges Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $5 $20 When to Tip Other Details When you receive the service If they only provide directions, it's okay to tip very little or nothing at all If they do something exceptional, err on the larger side and tip $20 Dog Groomers Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 15% 20% When to Tip Holiday Tipping When you pick up your pet $10 to $100, depending on the frequency of your visits throughout the year Doormen (Apartment Building) When to Tip Holiday Tipping Around the holidays Gift a bottle of wine or box of chocolates Dry Cleaning or Laundry Pickup / Delivery Standard Tip Other Details $3 to $5, depending on the size of the wash Consider tipping during both pickup and delivery if the people are different Enterprise Employees Standard Tip When to Tip $1 to $5 These employees are picking you up. You tip cab drivers, why not these drivers? Since most aren't expecting a tip, it'll be a pleasant surprise. Fast-Casual Restaurants Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip Extra change $2 When to Tip Other Details When paying Tip jars are usually divvied up among staff, so remember you're tipping the whole team and not just the person that handed you your order Flower Delivery Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip Small tip, $2 to $5 When paying for delivery Other Details It's not customary to tip for flower delivery. If you don't want your recipient to feel obligated to tip, go ahead and add a little on when paying for the delivery. Alternatively, you might want to tip if the delivery person will have to navigate several stairs, deliver in bad weather, or something similar. Food Delivery Standard Tip When to Tip 10% or $2 minimum When you're paying online or when the food is delivered Furniture Delivery Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $5 per person $20 per person When to Tip Other Details When the job is complete Also feel free to offer cold drinks if it was a heavy or tough delivery Garbage Collectors Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip $15 $25 Around the holidays Gardeners Standard Tip When to Tip Other Details One week's pay if they visit regularly Otherwise, $20 to $50 Around the holidays, or At the end of a growing season Tip in cash and include a sincere note of thanks. If you prefer not to give money, gifts are acceptable in the price range of $20 to $50. Haircuts / Blowouts Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 10% to 15% 15% to 20% When to Tip Other Details After the service is completed Tip everyone involved. If you have different people washing and drying your hair, they should each receive $5. The person doing most of the work should receive the biggest tip. Housekeepers (Personal) Standard Tip When to Tip One week's pay Around the holidays Housekeeping (Hotels) Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $2 per night $5 per night When to Tip Other Details Daily Different people could be cleaning your room every day. Be sure to tip daily to show your appreciation to the whole team. Janitors Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip $15 $25 Around the holidays Karaoke DJs Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip $10 $20 At the end of the night Laundromats (Drop-Off Service) Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip Other Details $2 to $3 When you pick up your laundry Although it's not required, tipping is still a nice gesture, especially if they've gone above and beyond. Tip for stain removal, small repairs, or if the load is particularly large. Mail Carriers Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $15 $20 When to Tip Other Details Around the holidays Tipping with non-cash gifts up to $20 is also acceptable Maitre d's Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip $5 $25 For special efforts Makeup Artists Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip 15% 25% At the end of service Manicures / Pedicures Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 15% 20% Massages Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 10% to 15% 20% Movers Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip Other Details $10 per person $25 per person If it's a particularly tough move, consider supplying cold drinks and lunch as well Musicians (For Events) Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $15 per person $20 per person When to Tip Other Details After the ceremony, reception, or other event It's not necessarily expected, but it's a nice gesture to tip each musician these amounts Nannies Standard Tip When to Tip One week's pay Around the holidays Newspaper Delivery Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip $15 $25 Around the holidays Package Delivery Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip Other Details $5 $10 This is meant to be a little extra gift for those hauling heavy packages to your door. Consider tipping more if they had to climb several stairs or if it's extremely hot outside. Parking Attendants (Residential Buildings) Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip $15 $25 Around the holidays Parking Lot Workers (Home Improvement Stores) Standard Tip When to Tip $10 When they assist with loading a heavy item into your car Parking Valets Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $2 $5 When to Tip Other Details When your vehicle is retrieved It's also been suggested to tip when dropping your vehicle off Personal Trainers Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip When to Tip $20 $50 Around the holidays (but tip discreetly) Plumbers Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $10 for smaller jobs 10% of total job Porters / Skycaps Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $1 per bag $2 per heavy item $2 per bag if they bring your luggage to the counter Room Service Standard Tip Other Details $5 minimum You don't have to include a tip if gratuity is added onto the check Shoe Shiners Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $2 $3 Spa Services Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 15% 20% Taxi Drivers Standard Tip When to Tip 15% to 20% of your fare After your ride ends Tour Guides Standard Tip When to Tip 10% to 20% of the total tour cost $1 per person when drivers double as guides It's acceptable to not tip tour guides at national parks and other government sites Other Details For particularly amiable drivers, passengers might be asked to contribute $1 per person. If the tour is longer and has no built-in gratuity, passengers should each contribute $5 to $10 to the guide, and another $5 to $10 to the driver. Uber / Lyft Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip $1 to $2 per person for shorter rides 10% 20% When to Tip Other Details At the end of the ride Tip extra for things like: Traffic Construction Other inconveniences Distance If driver helps with luggage or packages Waitstaff Standard Tip Exceptional Service Tip 15% for adequate service 20% General Tips for Tipping Calculate the tip amount based on the total amount — not any discounts or gift certificates you're using. Tip above the normal amount for exceptional service, if you're a regular client, or if you've been a bother. It's okay not to tip if it's not deserved. Poor service shouldn't be rewarded. (The service would have to be awful, though. Even mediocre service deserves a tip of some kind.) Tip extra if you take up a restaurant table for a long time. Tip discreetly. Note that overtipping too often can set a precedent. When in doubt, tip at least a little something. Readers, what tipping practices do you follow? Is there a service we forgot? Let us know in the comments below. Related DealNews Blog Posts: Are Tips Going Up? The 6 Best Hotel Credit Cards for Rewards Can You Get Groceries Delivered If You Don't Live in a City?
