How much should I tip at a restaurant?

Tipping norms vary by country and service type. In India, tipping is customary but not mandatory — 5–15% is common at sit-down restaurants; rounding up the bill is typical at casual eateries. In the US, 15–20% is standard; 20–25% for excellent service. Many countries in Europe include a service charge on the bill, making additional tipping optional.

How is the tip calculated?

Tip Amount = Bill Amount × Tip% ÷ 100. Total = Bill + Tip. Per Person = Total ÷ Number of People. For example, a ₹2,000 bill with a 10% tip gives ₹200 tip, ₹2,200 total. Split among 4 people = ₹550 each.

Should I tip before or after tax?

In countries where tax is added to the bill (like India with GST), it is customary to tip on the pre-tax amount, though many people simply tip on the total bill for convenience. The difference is small at typical restaurant bill sizes.

What is a service charge vs a tip?

A service charge is a mandatory fee added to the bill by the restaurant (common at fine dining venues), typically 5–10%. A tip is a voluntary additional amount left by the customer. In India, the Supreme Court h that service charges are not mandatory and customers cannot be forced to pay them.

Tip Calculator

⚠️ Not financial advice. Results are illustrative only and should not be used as the basis for any investment, tax, or financial decision. Consult a qualified financial adviser or chartered accountant before acting on any figure shown.

Quick tip guide by service type

Fine dining restaurant: 10–15% (India), 18–25% (US/UK)
Casual restaurant / café: 5–10% or round up
Food delivery: ₹20–50 or 5–10% of order value
Hotel housekeeping: ₹50–100 per night
Taxi / auto: Round up to nearest ₹10–20
Spa / salon: 10–15% of service cost

How to split the bill fairly

This calculator splits the total (bill + tip) equally among all people. If some people ordered significantly more expensive items, you may want to split the base bill proportionally and apply the tip percentage to each person’s subtotal separately. For complex group splits, see the Bill Splitter tool.

Service charge vs tip in Indian restaurants

Many Indian restaurants — particularly in metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru — add a service charge of 5–10% to the bill automatically. In 2022, India's Consumer Affairs Ministry clarified that service charges are not mandatory and customers cannot be forced to pay them. If a restaurant adds a service charge, you are not obligated to also tip separately — the service charge is intended to supplement staff wages. Ask for the service charge to be removed if the service was poor; the restaurant cannot legally refuse. If no service charge is added, a 10% tip for good service at a sit-down restaurant is the customary norm.

Tipping on Swiggy, Zomato, and delivery apps

Food delivery platforms in India now prominently surface tip prompts at checkout. The full tip amount goes directly to the delivery partner — the platform does not take a cut. Delivery partners typically earn ₹15,000–25,000/month in base pay and delivery incentives; a ₹30–50 tip on an order, while small, adds meaningful income especially on long-distance or poor-weather deliveries. Consistent tipping on delivery apps also tends to result in faster assignment of your order to experienced delivery partners who prioritize tipped orders.

International tipping norms for travelers

If you travel internationally, tipping customs vary widely. US and Canada: 18–22% is now standard at sit-down restaurants; not tipping is considered rude. UK: 10–12.5% if no service charge is included; some restaurants pool tips. Japan and South Korea: tipping is culturally unusual and may even be seen as offensive in Japan. Australia: no strong tipping culture — rounding up is appreciated but not expected. Dubai: 10% is customary at restaurants; not required but appreciated. Always check whether the local service charge is already included before adding a tip.