Tipping rules by country

United States

Plan for 18-22% at sit-down restaurants because tips are part of how service staff earn. Bartenders often get 1-2 dollars per drink, and large groups may see gratuity already on the bill. Calculate on the pre-tax total when you choose the amount yourself.

France

Service compris means the bill already includes service, so extra tipping is never required. Round up or leave a little cash only when service felt worth it. In Paris and finer restaurants, small extras are slightly more common.

Italy

Tipping is not expected in Italy. In restaurants, round up or leave a small extra for good service, and check whether "servizio" (service charge) is already included.

Thailand

A service charge is often already included at hotels and nicer restaurants, so everyday tipping is not expected. Round up or leave a little cash only when service stood out. Street food and casual local spots rarely need anything extra.

Spain

Tipping is optional in Spain. Small change or rounding up is most common, with slightly larger tips only in sit-down restaurants for very good service.

Germany

Say the total you want to pay when settling the bill, not just hand over cash and wait for change. Service is included in menu prices, so 5-10% is a modest thank-you for good meals. Large percentage tips are unusual.

Canada

At sit-down restaurants, most people tip 15-20% on the pre-tax bill, much like the U.S., but sales tax can run 13-15%, so tipping on the total adds up fast. Card terminals often default to post-tax percentages, so check the screen before you tap; pre-tax tip options on card readers are increasingly standard in several provinces. Counter service and takeout usually need much less.

United Kingdom

Many sit-down restaurants add a discretionary 10-12.5% service charge, so read the bill before adding more. Extra cash is optional when no charge appears. In pubs and bars, rounding up is enough unless staff serve you at the table.

Australia

Workers earn normal wages, so there is no tipping obligation at restaurants or bars. Round up or leave up to 10% only when you want to reward standout service. You can decline optional service charges if a venue adds one without telling you.

Mexico

Tipping is customary in Mexico. Around 10-15% is standard in restaurants, while taxis usually just round up unless the ride is long or luggage is involved.

Singapore

Tipping in Singapore is not expected. Most sit-down restaurants already include a 10% service charge, and GST is added on top. Leaving extra is optional and usually limited to small cash amounts.

Brazil

A 10% (taxa de servico) is often already printed on restaurant bills, and adding more is optional. When no charge appears, 10% is the usual thank-you. Pay tips in reais and hand cash to staff when you can.

Morocco

Tipping is customary in Morocco. In restaurants, 5-10% is common if service is not already included, while taxis usually round up and private drivers or guides are tipped separately.

Puerto Rico

At sit-down restaurants in Puerto Rico, plan on 15-20% for good service. Local norms match mainland U.S. expectations. Check the bill before adding extra, since some venues include a service charge or auto-gratuity for groups.

Dominican Republic

Tipping is expected in the Dominican Republic. A 10% "propina legal" is often already on the bill, and it is common to leave about 10% extra for good service.

Japan

Excellent service is part of the price, so cash tips are not part of daily dining or taxi rides. Pay the amount on the bill or meter and a sincere thank you is enough. Offering money can embarrass staff or be politely refused.

South Korea

Tipping is not part of local culture. Pay the bill as shown. Extra gratuity can confuse staff and is often refused or handed back. Luxury hotels may include a service charge, but everyday restaurants, cafés, and taxis need nothing on top.

Netherlands

Service is built into restaurant prices, so tipping is not expected. Round up to the next euro or leave a small cash amount when you want to say thanks. Large percentage tips are rare and can feel out of place.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, service is included in the bill, so tipping stays voluntary. Most people round up to the nearest franc or leave a few extra for very good service. Pay in cash when you can and hand it directly rather than leaving coins on the table.

Argentina

At restaurants, 10% is the standard tip for good sit-down service, and it is never included on the bill. A line for cubierto or servicio de mesa is a cover charge, not your tip. Hand cash in pesos (ARS) when you can, or ask to add the tip before paying by card.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, staff are paid fair minimum wages, so tipping is not expected. Round up the bill or leave a small amount when you want to show appreciation, but nothing more is required. On public holidays some venues add a 10-15% surcharge, so check the bill before you pay.

Albania

At sit-down restaurants, 5-10% is a polite thank-you for good service, but tipping stays optional. Smaller cafés and taxis usually need only a round-up in lek. Check the bill first and remember VAT is not a tip.

Algeria

Tipping is appreciated in Algeria, but it is not mandatory. In restaurants, 5-10% is common for good service, while taxis and casual cafes usually just round up.

Andorra

Tipping is optional in Andorra. Most people round up or leave 5-10% for very good restaurant service, while taxis usually just round up to the nearest euro.

Antigua and Barbuda

At resorts and sit-down restaurants, 10-15% is common, but check the bill first. Many places already add a 10% service charge, and sales tax (ABST) is not a tip. USD is widely accepted alongside East Caribbean dollars.

Armenia

Tipping in Armenia is appreciated but not always expected. In restaurants and cafés, people round up or leave about 10% for good service. Some places include a service fee, which may not go to the waiter.

Aruba

Tipping is not mandatory in Aruba, but it is appreciated. Many restaurants add a 10-15% service charge, and extra tipping for your server is optional.

Austria

In Austria, restaurant service is already included in the bill, so a large tip on top is not expected. Round up to the next euro for everyday meals, or leave 5-10% when service stood out. Cash is preferred, and hand it to staff when you settle the bill.

Azerbaijan

Tipping is appreciated in Azerbaijan, but it is not compulsory. In restaurants, 5-10% is common when service is good, while taxis usually just round up.

Bahamas

Many restaurants already add a 15% gratuity, so check the bill before leaving more. If nothing is included, 15-20% is standard for sit-down meals. USD is used everywhere, so keep small bills for bartenders, porters, and taxi drivers.

Bahrain

Tipping is not mandatory in Bahrain, but it is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, around 10-15% is reasonable when no service charge is already on the bill, while taxis and ride-hailing usually just round up.

Bangladesh

Tipping is appreciated in Bangladesh, but it is usually based on small cash amounts rather than strict percentages. In better restaurants, 5-10% is common, while taxis and ride apps usually just round up.

Barbados

Tipping in Barbados usually follows what is on the bill: a 10–15% service charge is often included at restaurants and hotels. If it is included, you typically do not need to add more; if it is not included, leaving around 10% is customary.

Belgium

Service is already built into restaurant prices, so tipping stays optional. Most people round up or leave a little extra only for standout service. Say the total when paying, especially in Brussels and busier tourist spots.

Belize

Tipping is customary in Belize, especially in tourist areas. Around 10% is standard in restaurants, but always check the bill first because some places already include a service charge.

Bhutan

Tipping is not expected in restaurants in Bhutan, where a 10% service charge is usually included. Guides and drivers, however, are commonly tipped at the end of the trip.

Bolivia

Tipping is appreciated in Bolivia but not mandatory. Around 10% is common in restaurants for good service, while taxis and casual service usually just round up.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tipping is appreciated but never required. At restaurants, rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good service is common. Hand cash directly when you can, and taxis need only a small round-up in convertible marks.

Botswana

Tipping is voluntary in Botswana. In cities, about 10% is common in restaurants and small change is enough in bars and taxis, while safari guides and camp staff are usually tipped separately.

Bulgaria

About 10% is typical at sit-down restaurants, though many locals round up at casual spots. Check the bill for a service charge before adding extra. Cash tips in leva or euro work best when you hand them directly to staff.

Cambodia

Tipping is not expected in daily life. Small cash tips show up mainly in tourist areas for hotel staff, guides, and tuk-tuk drivers. Round up at restaurants when you want to say thanks, but street food stalls need nothing extra.

Chile

Table-service restaurants usually suggest 10% on the bill, and you may accept, reduce, or decline it. Counter service rarely needs anything. The local word is propina, and card tips are common at sit-down venues.

China

On the mainland, tipping is not expected in everyday restaurants, bars, or taxis. Organized tours and some upscale hotels may accept a small cash thank-you, but refusals are normal and offers can feel awkward.

Colombia

At restaurants you are often asked whether to add a 10% service charge, and most locals accept it for good service. You can decline, but it is part of the routine. Round up for taxis and casual spots rather than leaving a full restaurant percentage.

Costa Rica

A 10% service charge is included in restaurant bills by law, so an extra tip is optional. Leave 5-10% more only when service was genuinely outstanding. Tour guides and drivers often appreciate a little cash on top.

Croatia

Tipping is customary in Croatia, but it is usually modest. Around 10% is common in restaurants for good service, while cafes, bars, and taxis often just round up.

Cuba

Tipping is common in Cuba, especially in tourist areas. Around 10% is standard in restaurants, while bars and taxis usually get smaller cash tips or a simple round-up.

Curaçao

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Curaçao. Around 10% is a common guide, but always check the bill because service charge is often not a staff tip.

Cyprus

Tipping is optional in Cyprus, but it is appreciated for good service, especially in restaurants, hotels, and other tourist-facing services. In restaurants, around 5-10% is reasonable for standout service, while bars, cafes, and taxis usually just round up or leave small change.

Czech Republic

Around 10% is common at sit-down restaurants, though many people simply round up and tell the server the final total they want to pay. Cash handed directly is appreciated. Check the bill before adding more.