How Much to Tip in Different US States
What genuinely differs from state to state is the law behind your bill: the sales tax added to the meal and whether servers can be paid a reduced cash wage. This guide sets out that verified context for all 50 states and the District of Columbia — and explains why we do not publish a tip percentage for each state.
- ✓US restaurants: 18–20% on the pre-tax subtotal (Pew Research Center)
- ✓No US state sets a standard tip percentage — state law changes wages and taxes, not tipping norms
- ✓7 states pay servers the full state minimum wage before tips (US DOL)
- ✓State sales-tax rates change your total, so pre-tax and post-tax tips differ
New to US tipping? Start with our basic tipping guide first. Heading to Canada instead? See the tipping in Canada guide.
What Actually Differs by State
Two things differ by state as a matter of law, and both are documented below. Everything else people say about regional tipping is impression rather than measurement, so we keep it clearly separated.
Sales Tax on the Meal
State sales-tax rates on a restaurant meal range from 0% to over 7% before local taxes are added. That changes the total on your receipt, and therefore the tip if you calculate on the post-tax amount rather than the subtotal.
Tipped Wage Rules
$2.13/hour is the federal tipped cash-wage floor in states that allow a tip credit, not a typical US server wage. It has been unchanged since 1991. Employers must top up to at least $7.25/hour if tips fall short, and Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington do not permit a tip credit, so servers there earn the full state minimum before tips.
Menu Prices, Not Percentages
A percentage applied to a more expensive menu produces a larger tip without the percentage changing. Much of what looks like a regional tipping difference is a price difference.
What the Bill Adds
Automatic service charges, large-party gratuities and suggested-tip lines are set by the individual venue, not by the state. Read the printed bill before adding anything. Visiting the US for the first time? See our tourist tipping guide.
Restaurant Tipping Context by State
Tipping percentages are not set by state law. State rules can change the wage and tax context behind your bill, but they do not establish a state-specific standard tip percentage. The table below therefore shows the two things that genuinely differ by state and that SnapTipCalc can verify: the state sales-tax rate applied to a restaurant meal, and whether the state allows employers to count tips towards the minimum wage (a "tip credit").
| State | State sales tax | Server wage basis | Tax notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate only; local taxes can add up to 7.5% more. |
| Alaska | 0% | Full state minimum wage before tips | No state sales tax; some local jurisdictions tax. |
| Arizona | 5.6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 5.3% more. |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 5.125% more. |
| California | 7.25% | Full state minimum wage before tips | State rate includes 1.25% mandatory local; total local can exceed 10%. |
| Colorado | 2.9% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | Low state rate; local taxes can add significantly in cities. |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | No local sales tax; restaurant meals are taxed at 6.35%. |
| Delaware | 0% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | No state or local sales tax. |
| Florida | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2.5% more. |
| Georgia | 4% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 5% more. |
| Hawaii | 4% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | General Excise Tax (GET), not a traditional sales tax; local 0.5% may apply. |
| Idaho | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 3% more. |
| Illinois | 6.25% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 5.25% more. |
| Indiana | 7% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 3% more. |
| Iowa | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 1% more. |
| Kansas | 6.5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 4% more. |
| Kentucky | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2.75% more. |
| Louisiana | 4.45% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 7% more. |
| Maine | 5.5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; prepared meals may be taxed at 8% in some locales. |
| Maryland | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; no local sales tax. |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; no local sales tax. |
| Michigan | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; no local sales tax. |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | Full state minimum wage before tips | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2.15% more. |
| Mississippi | 7% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 1% more. |
| Missouri | 4.225% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 5.763% more. |
| Montana | 0% | Full state minimum wage before tips | No state or local sales tax. |
| Nebraska | 5.5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2.5% more. |
| Nevada | 6.85% | Full state minimum wage before tips | State rate; local taxes can add up to 1.415% more. |
| New Hampshire | 0% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | No state sales tax; meals tax of 8.5% applies at restaurants. |
| New Jersey | 6.625% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; no local sales tax. |
| New Mexico | 5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 4.3125% more. |
| New York | 4% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 4.875% more. |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2.75% more. |
| North Dakota | 5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 3.5% more. |
| Ohio | 5.75% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2.25% more. |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 7% more. |
| Oregon | 0% | Full state minimum wage before tips | No state or local sales tax. |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2% more. |
| Rhode Island | 7% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; no local sales tax. |
| South Carolina | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 3% more. |
| South Dakota | 4.5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 4.5% more. |
| Tennessee | 7% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2.75% more. |
| Texas | 6.25% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2% more. |
| Utah | 4.85% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2.1% more. |
| Vermont | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 1% more. |
| Virginia | 5.3% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | Includes 1% mandatory local; actual rate varies by locality. |
| Washington | 6.5% | Full state minimum wage before tips | State rate; local taxes can add up to 4.1% more. |
| West Virginia | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 1% more. |
| Wisconsin | 5% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 0.6% more. |
| Wyoming | 4% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | State rate; local taxes can add up to 2% more. |
| District of Columbia | 6% | Tip credit permitted — cash wage set by state | No local sales tax on top of DC rate. |
Official dataSales-tax rates, 50 states + DCLast verified Jul 26, 2026Source: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026 (2026)
Official dataTip-credit statusLast verified Aug 12, 2026Source: US Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
Rates shown are the general state rate. Local and county taxes are often added on top, and some states tax prepared meals at a separate rate — the figure printed on your receipt is the one that counts. 7 states (Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) do not permit a tip credit, so servers there receive the full state minimum wage before any tips.
The one range we do publish
18–20% covers good service at a US sit-down restaurant. 15% is widely read as adequate-but-unremarkable rather than an insult, and 22–25% is reserved for fine dining or exceptional service.
Sourced guidanceUnited StatesLast verified Aug 12, 2026Source: Pew Research Center, Tipping Culture in America
Tips for Tourists Traveling Across States
If you're traveling across multiple states or visiting the US from abroad, follow these guidelines to avoid tipping mistakes:
1. Start From the Sourced Range
18–20% covers good service at a US sit-down restaurant. 15% is widely read as adequate-but-unremarkable rather than an insult, and 22–25% is reserved for fine dining or exceptional service. The same range applies in every state — no state defines its own.
2. Check the Basis, Not the Region
Decide whether you are tipping on the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total and stay consistent. In a high-tax state that choice moves the tip more than any regional custom would.
3. Ask Locals for Guidance
If you're unsure about local tipping customs, ask hotel concierges, tour guides, or friendly locals. They can provide specific advice for the area you're visiting. International visitors should also see our tourist tipping guide.
4. Watch for Automatic Gratuity
Many venues add an automatic gratuity for larger parties, and the percentage is set by the venue. Check the bill for a service charge or gratuity line before adding a tip on top.
5. Cash and Card Tips Travel Differently
A cash tip is handed to the worker directly, while a card tip is processed by the employer and paid out through the venue's payroll or tip-pooling arrangements. Both are taxable income for the worker.
6. The Percentage Is Yours to Choose
The percentage is your decision. SnapTipCalc will calculate any figure you enter — the presets are starting points, not rules.
Using SnapTipCalc to Adjust Tips by State
SnapTipCalc makes it easy to calculate the correct tip amount no matter where you're dining in the United States. Here's how to use it effectively when traveling:
Quick Percentage Selection
Choose from pre-set tip percentages (15%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 25%) or enter a custom amount. Presets are starting points, not rules.
Tax Handling Options
State sales-tax rates differ across the table above, and local taxes are often added on top. Toggle between tipping on the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total to match your preference.
Bill Splitting for Groups
Traveling with friends or family? Enter the number of people and instantly see each person's share including tip. Perfect for group meals across multiple states.
Rounding Features
Round your total to convenient amounts ($1, $5, or $10 increments) for easy cash payments. Useful when tipping in cash across different states.
Works Anywhere, No Internet Required
All calculations happen in your browser—no signup, subscription or paywall. Use it offline once loaded, perfect for traveling across states with spotty cell service.
Common Tipping Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling
- ✗Assuming the state changes the norm—No state sets a tip percentage; the sourced US range above applies everywhere
- ✗Not tipping because "service is included"—Only skip tipping if you see "gratuity included" on the bill
- ✗Forgetting hotel and service staff—See our hotel tipping guide for role-by-role amounts
- ✗Using foreign currency—Always tip in US dollars, not your home currency
- ✗Tipping twice—If a service charge is already printed on the bill, an added tip is on top of it
Frequently Asked Questions
Calculate Your Tip in Any State
SnapTipCalc calculates the tip and total from the figures you enter, in whole cents, on either the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total.
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