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TippingUSA

About TippingUSA

By Dean Last reviewed July 20, 2026

Hi, I'm Dean, the Founder of TippingUSA. I created this site to help make tipping in the United States clearer and less confusing - especially for international visitors, while also providing practical guidance for Americans who want a simple, reliable reference.

I worked as a busboy in a restaurant from age 16 to 18, earning the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.01/hour at the time (it later rose to $2.13 in 1991, where it has remained ever since - see the current rate for every state). That experience taught me firsthand how much tipping matters to the people working in hospitality. It also gave me a close look at the trust and cooperation that often go unseen behind the scenes.

My aim is to provide clear, honest information that helps people understand US tipping culture and navigate it with confidence.

What you'll find here

  • Tip calculator. Pick a service, enter your bill, and get the right tip instantly - for everything from sit-down restaurants to valet parking. Split the bill, round up, and convert to your home currency.
  • Full tipping guide. A category-by-category reference across 26 common US services, with standard ranges, quality-based suggestions, and the etiquette behind each.
  • Foreign-visitor guide. A practical orientation for visitors from abroad - what to tip, what to skip, and how much cash to carry.
  • FAQ. Clear answers to the questions that come up most often: pre-tax vs post-tax, counter service, large-group gratuity, tipping on alcohol, and more.

How this site approaches tipping

My time in restaurants shaped the perspective behind TippingUSA: tips are not a bonus on top of a living wage - in much of the US, they are the wage. So the goal here is to help you tip fairly and confidently, and to push back honestly on the parts of tipping culture that have become more about pressure than gratitude.

Every tipping percentage and flat amount on the site is cross-referenced across multiple published guides to find a consensus, and the data was last reviewed in July 20, 2026. For the full methodology - how the ranges are derived, how the calculator does its math, how currency conversion works, and the complete source list - see the methodology page.

Important: Tipping norms are guidelines, not rules. Final amounts are always at your discretion. Service quality, locality, and circumstances all matter.

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