Tipping in the U.S. usually hovers around that magic 15–20% range, but who’s playing by the rules—and who’s chipping in less? A recent YouGov survey breaks down exactly how Americans tip for average, poor, and stellar service. From boomers who are happy to spring for extra to younger diners who sometimes barely leave pocket change, the results are full of surprises. Let’s dive into the numbers behind our gratuitous.
Typical Tipping Territory
Social norms peg a solid tip at 15–20% for average restaurant service—and most people stick to it. In fact, 62% of Americans leave between 15% and 20% when service is neither wow nor woeful. That splits into 27% tipping 15% and 35% opting for 20%. Only a tiny fraction go above 25%.
One in Four Go Below the Standard
Not everyone plays by the “standard” rulebook. About 25% of diners dial it back below 15% on average service. Thirteen percent settle for just 10%, 8% scrape by with 5%, and 4% stiff the server entirely.
Gen Z Tighten the Purse Strings
Under-30s are the stingiest tippers: 21% of them leave only 5% (14%) or nothing (7%) on average service. By contrast, just 12% of older adults do the same (8% at 5%, 4% at zero). And seniors 65+ are the most generous—46% of them routinely tip 20%.
Frequent Diners Treat Servers Better
Your dining frequency matters: People who eat out more than once a week tip more generously. Forty percent of these regulars leave 20% on average service, and 25% leave 15%. Infrequent diners (a few times a year or less) are lazier with their tips—only 18% leave 20% and 31% tip 15%.
Poor Service Means Pitiful Tips
If service tanks, many diners show you the door—wallet included. Thirty percent would tip nothing for poor service, 34% would grudgingly leave 5–10%, and only 15% would bother with the standard 15%. Hardly anyone (9%) rewards bad service with a fat 20% or more.
Big Bills Don’t Excuse Bad Service
A whopping majority stick to stingy tipping when service is subpar—no matter how big the bill. On a $10 tab, 35% tip zero and 38% tip under $2; on $20, 29% tip nothing and 48% tip less than $4; and on a $100 check, 26% tip nothing, 53% tip under $20, and only 10% shell out $20+.
Average Service Still Secures 15–20%
Even average service can earn a healthy gratuity. Forty-one percent of diners leave at least 20%, while 27% stick to 15%. Just 21% hold back to 5–10%. And when you break it down by bill size, a majority tip appropriately: 65% give ≥$2 on $10, 57% give ≥$4 on $20, and 44% give ≥$20 on $100.
Excellent Service Earns Big Rewards
Stellar service brings stellar tips: 71% of Americans tip 20% or more when their server shines. That jumps to 84% on a $10 bill and 79% on a $20 tab. Even a $100 check nets 72% tipping at least 20%, with 44% forking over $25 or more.
Rude Staff Face Lost Gratuity
Behavior matters: 79% of diners dock tips for rudeness, and 70% penalize inattentiveness. Around half also cut tips for slow service (51%), poor food quality (50%), or cold dishes (50%). Mistakes like wrong orders or a dirty dining room trim tips for about 46% of diners.
Younger Diners Are More Forgiving
Though they tip less overall, under-30s are surprisingly gentler on slip-ups. Only 68% of younger adults dock tips for rudeness (versus 82% of older diners), 42% punish slow service (vs. 54%), and just 31% penalize lackluster enthusiasm (vs. 49%).
