Use case · 2026-05-03

Tipping Percentages by Country: A Quick Guide

Tipping norms vary enormously around the world. What percentage to leave in the US, UK, France, Japan, Australia, and more.

By country (sit-down restaurants)

CountryTypical tipNotes
USA18–20%15% minimum at sit-down restaurants. Many POS systems default to 18%.
Canada15–20%Similar to US; some provinces less.
UK10–12.5%Often included as a “service charge” on the bill.
France0–5%Service charge legally included. Round up or leave a few euros for great service.
Germany5–10%Round up to the nearest euro or two.
Italy0–10%“Coperto” (cover charge) is common. Tipping is optional.
Spain5–10%Tipping appreciated but not expected.
Japan0%Tipping is not customary and can be seen as rude. Don’t.
China0%Tipping not expected; sometimes refused.
South Korea0%Tipping not customary.
Australia0–10%Tipping appreciated for great service but not expected.
New Zealand0–10%Similar to Australia.
Brazil10%Often included as a service charge.
Mexico10–15%Higher in tourist areas.
India5–10%Often included; otherwise small tip appreciated.
UAE10–15%Service charge often included; additional small tip appreciated.

What about other services?

Taxis: 10–15% in tipping countries, round up elsewhere.
Hotel housekeeping: $2–5 per night in the US; less or none in most other countries.
Bartenders: $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% of tab in the US.
Hair/spa: 15–20% in the US, less elsewhere.

The two big rules

  1. Check whether a service charge is already on the bill — common in Europe and some Asian countries.
  2. When in doubt, ask a local. Tourist guidebooks often quote inflated tip percentages.
FAQ

Quick answers.

No. Tipping in Japan is not customary and is sometimes considered rude. Excellent service is the cultural baseline, not something earned with extra payment.

Often yes — service charges are typically distributed to staff in lieu of tips. If a service charge is on the bill, additional tipping is usually not necessary.

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