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Tipping in the United States

Tip expected

Tipping is expected almost everywhere you get table service.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Restaurants

18-25%

18-25% of the pre-tax bill at sit-down restaurants. Older guides still quote 15-20%; 15% now reads as the low end.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Service charges

Don't double tip

Large groups often get an automatic service charge on the bill. If it's there, you don't tip again.

Sources: [2] [3]

Taxis

10-15%

Tip taxi drivers, typically 10-15% of the fare.

Sources: [1] [3]

Hotels

Yes

Leave cash for housekeeping (usually on the last day) and tip porters per bag.

Sources: [2] [3]

Tour guides

$5-20 pp/day

Tip tour guides, roughly $5-20 per person per day depending on the tour.

Sources: [2] [3]

Planning dates? See what's closed.

Public holidays in the United States

Sources

Every line above is backed by at least two of these. Researched 2026-10-05. Customs shift, so treat amounts as a guide.

  1. Wikipedia: List of tipping customs by country

  2. Wikivoyage: United States

  3. Lonely Planet: Tipping in North and South America

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