Tipping used to be simple: 15-20% at restaurants, done. Now every iPad checkout screen is asking for a tip, from coffee shops to self-checkout counters, and you’re supposed to tip 25-30% at restaurants because inflation but also wages but also just because?

It’s confusing, guilt-inducing, and expensive. Let’s establish actual tipping guidelines for 2025 that are fair to service workers without bankrupting you.

Restaurant tipping: the standard

Full-service restaurants where someone takes your order, brings your food, and checks on you: 18-20% is standard, 15% is acceptable for poor service, 22-25% for exceptional service.

The pre-pandemic standard was 15-20%. It’s crept up to 18-20% as the new baseline. You’re not obligated to tip 25-30% despite what some people on social media suggest.

Tip on the pre-tax amount. Tax isn’t part of the service, so calculate your tip before tax is added.

Counter service and coffee shops

You’re ordering at a counter, they hand you a cup or bag, there’s no table service. This is traditionally a no-tip or small-tip situation, but iPad screens now suggest 18-20%.

Reasonable approach: $1-2 for simple orders (drip coffee, pastry), 10-15% for complex drinks or larger orders, nothing for grab-and-go situations where you’re doing all the work.

Don’t feel guilty for not tipping 20% when someone hands you a muffin across a counter. That’s not the same service level as a sit-down meal.

Takeout and delivery

Takeout orders you pick up yourself: 0-10%. Someone packed your food but you did the traveling. A few dollars for large or complex orders is appreciated but not mandatory.

Delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.): 15-20% or $4-5 minimum, whichever is higher. These drivers are using their gas and car. Tip more for bad weather, long distances, or large orders.

Bars

$1-2 per drink for beer or simple cocktails, 15-20% on complicated cocktails or when running a tab. If you’re ordering a $6 beer, $1 is fine. If the bartender is making you an intricate craft cocktail, tip accordingly.

Hair salons and barbershops

15-20% to your stylist/barber. If someone else washes your hair, $3-5 to them separately. For a $50 haircut, $10 tip is standard. For more complex services (color, extensions), stick to the percentage.

Other services

Tattoo artists: 15-20% of the total cost Massage therapists: 15-20% Nail technicians: 15-20% Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per night, left daily Valet parking: $2-5 Food runners/baristas who bring food to your table: 10-15%

When not to tip

Self-checkout situations where you did all the work yourself. If there’s no human service, there’s no tip required. Retail stores where employees are already paid hourly wages and aren’t providing a service beyond ringing you up. Medical professionals, lawyers, and other licensed professionals who set their own rates.

The iPad tip screen dilemma

Those screens asking for 25%, 30%, 35% tips at counter-service places are calibrated to make you feel guilty. The middle option looks “reasonable” even when it’s not. Don’t let the default options pressure you. Choose “custom tip” and enter what’s actually appropriate for the service level. Remember: the business sets those defaults, not the workers. You’re not a bad person for adjusting to a fair amount.

Adjusting for your budget

If you can’t afford to tip appropriately, you can’t afford that service. This sounds harsh but it’s true. For restaurants and services where tipping is expected, build it into your budget. A $30 meal actually costs $36 with a 20% tip. If your budget is tight, choose options that don’t require tipping: cook at home, cut your own hair, skip full-service restaurants. Don’t go to a sit-down restaurant and stiff the server because you couldn’t afford it. That’s not budget-consciousness, that’s using another person’s labor for free.

When to tip more

Exceptional service deserves recognition. If someone went above and beyond, tip 25%+. During holidays when workers are sacrificing time with family. If you’re a difficult customer (large party, lots of modifications, staying past closing), tip extra to compensate. When you know a worker personally and want to support them.

The bottom line

Tipping culture in America is broken, service workers should be paid livable wages, and tipping shouldn’t be mandatory. But until that changes, workers depend on tips. Standard is 18-20% for full table service, 15-20% for personal services, 15-20% for delivery, and discretionary for counter service. Don’t let guilt or iPad screens trick you into over-tipping for minimal service. But also don’t under-tip people performing actual labor. Budget for tipping as part of the cost of going out. If you can’t afford the tip, you can’t afford the service.

Tip fairly, adjust for service quality, and don’t let tip creep convince you that 30% is the new normal. It’s not.