Tipping at a restaurant around the world
Tipping at a restaurant is customary in 10 of the 15 countries we track, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and 6 more. In the United States, 18–20% of the pre-tax bill (15% is the floor). It is unusual or unwelcome in Japan, South Korea, and China.
Full-service restaurants with table service. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Expected | 10–12.5% — check bill first; many restaurants add a discretionary service charge |
| 🇫🇷France | Optional | €0 required (service compris); €1–5 per person or 5–10% for good service |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Appreciated | Round up or leave €1–2 per person; 5–10% at nicer restaurants |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Appreciated | Round up or leave €1–5; up to 5–10% at upscale restaurants |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Expected | Round up + 5–10% — state the total verbally before paying |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Expected | 18–20% of the pre-tax bill (15% is the floor) |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Expected | 15–20% pre-tax (national average 17.2%) |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Expected | 10–15% of the bill; 15–20% at upscale or tourist-zone |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Unusual | ¥0 — no tipping, even at upscale restaurants |
| 🇨🇳China | Unusual | ¥0; 10% service charge sometimes added at hotel/luxury restaurants |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Unusual | ₩0 — service and VAT are included in menu prices |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Appreciated | 10% if no service charge; otherwise round-up (฿20–100) |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Optional | Round up to nearest A$5–10, or 10% at upmarket venues |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Expected | 10% "taxa de serviço" usually included; extra optional |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Expected | 10% service charge usually included; add AED 10–100 cash |
Tipping at a restaurant: common questions
Do you tip at a restaurant?
It depends on the country. Tipping at a restaurant is expected or appreciated in 10 of the 15 countries we track — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Mexico, and 5 more — and is unusual in Japan, South Korea, and China.
How much do you tip at a restaurant?
In the United States, 18–20% of the pre-tax bill (15% is the floor). Across all countries the usual range is 5–20% of the bill. Amounts vary by country — see the table above for each one.
Which countries expect you to tip at a restaurant?
A tip is genuinely expected in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. In these countries staff often rely on tips as part of their income.
Where should you not tip at a restaurant?
Tipping at a restaurant is unusual or can cause awkwardness in Japan, South Korea, and China. A polite thank-you is enough.
Should you tip at a restaurant in cash or by card?
Cash is the safer choice in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Thailand, and 2 more, where card tips may not reach staff. Elsewhere adding the tip to a card payment is normally fine.