● Money & manners

Tipping at restaurants, around the world

Tipping is one of the most confusing parts of dining out — generous in some countries, mildly insulting in others. Here's how to get it right wherever you are.

Full country-by-country guide → Tip calculator & splitter
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Customary restaurant tip by country Sit-down service · share of bill before tax · guideline ranges USA 15–25%Canada 15–20%UK 10–15%*Germany 5–10%France incl.†Japan 0% (no tip) *UK: check for "service charge" already added. †France/EU: service compris is included by law; rounding up is optional.
Customary sit-down restaurant tips vary widely by country. Always check whether a service charge is already on the bill.

The three questions that settle every tip

  1. Is service already included? In much of Europe a service charge or "service compris" is built in by law or custom. Look at the bottom of the bill before adding anything.
  2. What's the local norm? In the US, 15–20%+ is expected because tipped wages are low. In Japan, tipping can cause confusion or offence. Match the place you're in.
  3. Was the service table service? Counter service, takeaway and self-serve generally carry little or no tip, though tip jars are common in North America.
Rule of thumb: when in doubt in a tipping culture, 15% is safe and 18–20% rewards good service. In a non-tipping culture, rounding up is plenty.

For the full breakdown — including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, Australia and more — see our country-by-country tipping guide, then use the tip calculator to split the bill.

Related guides

How to tip (full guide)Tip calculatorRestaurant etiquetteDining on a budget

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