Restaurant Tip Calculator
Calculate restaurant tips on the pre-tax subtotal with your state's base sales tax built in. 15% minimum, 18–20% standard, 20–25% fine dining. Free & instant.
Statutory Gratuity Rule: Under FLSA 29 U.S.C. § 203(m) and 29 CFR Part 531, tips are the absolute property of employees; employers and managers are strictly barred from retaining any portion of tip pools. Standard U.S. dining gratuity benchmarks range from 15% (standard service) to 18%–20% (good service) and 22%+ (exceptional service), calculated directly on the pre-tax subtotal.
Restaurant Tip Calculator
Calculate restaurant tips on the pre-tax subtotal with your state's base sales tax built in. 15% minimum, 18–20% standard, 20–25% fine dining. Free & instant.
Results
Bill Breakdown
Tip is calculated on the pre-tax amount. Adjust state for accurate tax rates.
About This Calculator
What it does
Built for US dine-in, from casual to fine dining. Tips are calculated on the pre-tax subtotal with your state's base sales-tax rate applied for the total only. Example: an $85.00 pre-tax dinner at 20% pre-tax = $17.00 tip; the same 20% post-tax (8% tax) = $18.36. TipFig defaults to pre-tax so your gratuity reaches the server.
Data sources
- National Restaurant Association
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Internal Revenue Service
- State Revenue Departments
Last updated: 2026 · Fact-checked against primary industry sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard restaurant tip in 2026?
15% minimum for acceptable service, 18–20% for good service, 20–25% for fine dining or standout service.
Do you tip on pre-tax or post-tax at restaurants?
Tip on the pre-tax subtotal. TipFig calculates pre-tax by default and shows the post-tax figure for comparison.
How much do you tip on a $75 dinner?
At 18% pre-tax, $13.50; at 20%, $15.00. Add tax only to the total you pay, not to the tip.
Explore the Tipping Hub
All 19 calculators, scenario guides, and state tax breakdowns in one place.
Related Calculators
Universal Tip Calculator
Free tip calculator for US dining, delivery & rideshare. Split bills, apply your state's base sales-tax rate, and compute pre-tax or post-tax gratuity in seconds—no sign-up.
Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax Tip Calculator
Compare pre-tax vs post-tax tipping side by side. See the exact dollar gap and why most etiquette experts recommend tipping on the subtotal.
Group Dining Split Calculator
Split complex group bills: individual items, shared appetizers, proportional tips. Everyone pays exactly what they owe.