Tipping by Country
Nothing about tipping travels well. The 20% that's expected in New York would confuse a server in Tokyo and might mildly offend one in Seoul. This guide covers restaurant tipping norms for the places travelers ask about most, with a full reference table below. Wherever you land, the free tip calculator works in your local currency automatically, from dollars to yen.
The one-line version: North America expects 15-20%; most of Europe includes service and appreciates a round-up; much of East Asia doesn't tip at all. When unsure, check the bill for an included service charge first.
North America: tipping is part of the wage
In the United States and Canada, restaurant tipping is a core part of how servers are paid, and 15-20% of the pre-tax bill is the expectation, with 20% the common default for good service. Skipping the tip reads as a complaint. Mexico runs a bit lighter: 10-15% ("propina") is standard, and it's sometimes added to the bill in tourist areas, so check before doubling up.
Europe: service is usually in the price
Most of Europe pays service staff a full wage and prices service into the bill. In France, "service compris" is required by law; rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is a courtesy, not an obligation. Italy and Spain often add a small cover charge (coperto) instead; rounding up is plenty. In Germany and Austria, the custom is to round up 5-10% and tell the server the total as you pay rather than leaving coins on the table. The United Kingdom sits closest to America: 10-12.5% is normal at sit-down restaurants, but a service charge is often already added to the bill, and nobody double-tips on top of it.
East Asia: often no tipping at all
In Japan, tipping is not part of the culture and can be seen as impolite; excellent service is simply the standard, and staff may chase you down to return "forgotten" money. South Korea is similar: not expected, not missed. In China, tipping is historically uncommon, though it's creeping into high-end hotels and tour services in tourist hubs. When in doubt anywhere in the region: don't tip, and never feel rude about it.
Elsewhere in brief
Australia and New Zealand: not expected; round up or 10% for exceptional service. India: 5-10% at restaurants, but check for an included service charge first. The UAE and much of the Middle East: 10-15% where no service charge appears, though one often does. Brazil typically adds a 10% "serviço" to the bill automatically; paying it is standard, adding more is not expected. Southeast Asia varies widely: not customary in Vietnam or Thailand outside tourist zones, appreciated in the Philippines.
The full reference table
| Country / region | Restaurant norm | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 15–20% | Expected; core to service workers' pay |
| Canada | 15–20% | Similar to the US |
| Mexico | 10–15% | "Propina"; sometimes already on the bill in tourist areas |
| United Kingdom | 10–12.5% | Often added as a service charge; don't double-tip |
| France | Included | "Service compris" by law; round up for good service |
| Italy / Spain | Included / round up | A small "coperto" or cover charge is common |
| Germany / Austria | 5–10% | Round up and tell the server the total |
| Japan | No tipping | Can be seen as impolite; excellent service is standard |
| China | No tipping | Uncommon, though changing in high-end tourist spots |
| South Korea | No tipping | Not expected and not part of the culture |
| Australia / New Zealand | Not expected | Round up or ~10% for exceptional service |
| India | 5–10% | Check for an included service charge first |
| Brazil | 10% included | "Serviço" added automatically; extra not expected |
| UAE / Middle East | 10–15% | A service charge is often already added |
| Southeast Asia | Varies | Not customary in Vietnam/Thailand outside tourist zones |
Customs evolve, especially in tourist areas, and a hotel concierge or local host will always know the current norm. When you're unsure, a small round-up is almost always a safe, polite choice, and never tip on top of an already-included service charge unless you want to.
Common questions
Which countries consider tipping rude?
Japan and South Korea are the clearest cases: tipping is not part of the culture and can cause awkwardness or polite refusal. In China it's historically uncommon outside high-end tourist hotels. In these countries, simply paying the bill is the correct etiquette.
How do I know if service is already included?
Check the bill for a line like "service compris," "servizio," "serviço," or "service charge." If one appears, the tip is already handled and nothing more is expected. This is standard across much of Europe, Brazil, and the Middle East.
What currency does the tip calculator use abroad?
It detects your local currency automatically from your device's region (24 currencies, from euros to yen) and you can override it with the dropdown. The math is identical everywhere; only the symbol changes.
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Customs are generalizations and change over time, especially in tourist areas. When local guidance differs from this table, trust the locals.
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