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How to tip around the world

From the 20% norm of New York to the no-tipping etiquette of Tokyo, tipping is cultural, not universal. A country-by-country guide — and the one habit that keeps you right anywhere.

By Mustafa BilgicUpdated 2026-06-1310 min read
On this page
  1. The one rule that prevents every mistake
  2. North America: tipping is the wage
  3. UK & Europe: service often included
  4. No-tipping cultures: Japan, Korea, China
  5. Australia, the Middle East & beyond
  6. Practical traveller tipping tips

Few things trip up a confident diner abroad like tipping. Hand over 20% in Tokyo and you may baffle your server; leave nothing in New York and you've genuinely shortchanged someone's living. Tipping is cultural, not universal — and the customs range from "essentially mandatory" to "mildly offensive." This country-by-country guide gives you the norms and, more importantly, the one habit that keeps you right anywhere. For the deeper "why," see our guide to how to tip at restaurants.

Restaurant tipping at a glance Customary guideline ranges — always check the bill for an included service charge. 0%~10%20% 🇺🇸 United States15–20% 🇨🇦 Canada15–20% 🇬🇧 UK10–15% (often added) 🇫🇷🇮🇹🇪🇸 W. Europeround up–10% (svc incl.) 🇦🇺 Australianot expected · ~10% fine dining 🇯🇵 Japanno tipping 🇰🇷 South Koreano tipping 🇨🇳 Chinatraditionally none Norms vary by venue and change over time — when unsure, ask a local.
A snapshot of customary restaurant tipping by country. Always check for an included service charge.

The one rule that prevents every mistake

Always check the bill for a service charge before you tip. In much of the world a service charge of 10–15% is added automatically — sometimes labelled "service", "servizio", or "gratuity" — in which case an extra tip is optional and small. In a few places a "cover charge" (Italian coperto) appears, which pays for bread and the table setting and is not a tip. Read the bottom line first, and you'll never accidentally double-tip or miss an expected one.

When genuinely unsure, ask. A discreet "Is service included?" to your server, or a quick word with a local or hotel concierge, settles it instantly. Locals would far rather answer than watch you fret.

North America: tipping is the wage

In the United States and Canada, tipping is not optional. Many servers earn a low base wage and rely on tips for the bulk of their income, so the customary 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is effectively part of the price of eating out. Tip toward the higher end for good service; tipping noticeably below 15% signals a real problem with the service, not a saving. Bartenders are typically tipped about $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of a tab. Increasingly, card machines prompt a tip — the percentages above still apply.

UK & Europe: service often included

Across most of Europe, hospitality wages are higher and tipping is a modest top-up rather than a salary. The norm is to round up the bill or add roughly 5–10% for good service — and often a service charge is already included.

  • United Kingdom: a discretionary 10–15% service charge is frequently added, especially in cities and for larger tables. If it's on the bill, you needn't add more; if not, 10–15% for good service is normal.
  • France: "service compris" means service is legally included; leaving a few coins or rounding up is a friendly extra.
  • Italy: watch for coperto (cover charge) and servizio; beyond those, rounding up is plenty.
  • Germany, Spain, Netherlands and much of Europe: round up or add about 5–10%, often handed directly to the server as you pay.
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No-tipping cultures: Japan, Korea, China

In several East Asian countries, tipping isn't part of the culture and can cause confusion or even mild offence:

  • Japan: excellent service is a point of professional pride and is included in the price. A tip may be politely refused or chased after you to be returned. The respectful move is to pay the marked total graciously. Our Japanese cuisine guide covers the wider etiquette.
  • South Korea: similarly no tipping; prices are complete as stated.
  • China: traditionally no tipping, though high-end hotels, tourist restaurants and some international venues are beginning to add or accept service charges. Outside those, tipping is not expected.

Australia, the Middle East & beyond

  • Australia & New Zealand: tipping isn't expected because wages are higher; rounding up or leaving around 10% for genuinely great service in a nicer restaurant is appreciated but optional.
  • Middle East: a service charge is often added; an extra 5–10% in cash for good service is common and welcomed.
  • Latin America: around 10% is typical, and often added to the bill — check first.
  • Southeast Asia: varies widely; tourist and upscale venues may add service, while small local eateries don't expect tips. Rounding up is always kind.

These are customs, not rules carved in stone — they vary by venue and shift over time, especially as card payments and tourism change habits.

Practical traveller tipping tips

  • Carry a little local cash for tips; card tipping isn't always possible or reliable in every country.
  • Tip in the local currency, not foreign notes the server can't easily use.
  • Hand cash tips directly to your server where you can, to be sure it reaches them.
  • Don't over-tip "to be safe" in no-tipping cultures — following local custom is the polite thing.
  • Use a tip calculator to split bills and work out percentages fast — try our tip calculator and bill splitter.
Master one habit — check the bill, then follow the local norm — and tipping anywhere in the world stops being stressful. Respecting how a place does things is itself a form of good manners, and it's always appreciated.

Frequently asked questions

Which countries do not tip in restaurants?
Japan and South Korea are the best-known no-tipping cultures, where attentive service is considered part of the job and tipping can even cause confusion or mild offence. China traditionally does not tip either, though upscale and tourist venues are changing. In these places, paying the marked price politely and completely is the courteous norm.
How much do you tip in the United States versus Europe?
In the United States, tipping is essentially mandatory at 15–20% of the pre-tax bill because servers' wages depend on it. In most of Europe a service charge is often already included, and you simply round up or add about 5–10% for good service. Always check the bill for a 'service' or 'servizio' line before adding more.
How do I know if a service charge is already included?
Scan the bottom of the bill for a line labelled 'service', 'service charge', 'servizio', 'coperto' (a cover charge, which is not a tip) or 'gratuity'. In many countries, particularly in Europe and for larger groups worldwide, a service charge of 10–15% is added automatically — in which case an extra tip is optional and modest.
Should I tip in cash or on the card?
Where tipping is customary, cash handed directly to your server is often the most reliable way to ensure they receive it, and it's appreciated. Card tipping is fine and increasingly standard in many countries, but in some places card tips are slower to reach staff or aren't possible at all — carrying a little local cash for tips is a safe habit when travelling.
Mustafa Bilgic, editor at Arsenal Rest
Mustafa Bilgic
Editor, Arsenal Rest

Mustafa Bilgic writes Arsenal Rest's guides to dining etiquette and customs around the world. Tipping figures are customary guideline ranges and vary by venue and country. Fact-checked against established culinary and public sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-13.

Sources & further reading
  • Established travel-etiquette and hospitality references on regional tipping customs.
  • Public guidance on service charges and gratuity practice by country.
  • Arsenal Rest editorial guidance — figures are customary ranges, not fixed rules.

Related guides

How to tip at restaurantsTip calculatorTipping overviewRestaurant etiquette guideHow to read a menu

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