Tipping in the UK is different from many other countries, particularly the United States. While Americans are accustomed to mandatory-feeling 20%+ tips, UK tipping is more discretionary and modest. Understanding when and how much to tip helps you navigate social situations confidently without over or under-tipping.
UK Tipping Culture Overview
Unlike the US, UK workers are entitled to the national minimum wage regardless of tips. This means tipping is truly optional and reserved for genuinely good service rather than expected compensation. However, service industry workers do appreciate tips, and they're customary in certain situations.
• UK workers receive full minimum wage (£12.21/hour for 21+ in 2025/26)
• Tips are genuinely discretionary, not socially mandatory
• Standard tip is 10-15%, not 18-25%
• Many situations don't require tipping at all
Try Our Free Tip Calculator
Get instant results with our Tip Calculator. Also check our Percentage Calculator and VAT Calculator.
Tipping Guide by Situation
Restaurants
| Scenario | Recommended Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Good table service | 10-15% | Standard for sit-down meals |
| Exceptional service | 15-20% | For outstanding attention |
| Counter service/fast food | Not expected | Keep the change if you wish |
| Buffet | Round up or £1-2 | For drinks service/clearing |
| Service charge added | None needed | Check it goes to staff |
Taxis and Rideshares
| Scenario | Recommended Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard journey | Round up to nearest £ | e.g., £8.60 fare, pay £9 |
| Helpful driver (luggage, etc.) | 10% | Appreciated but not expected |
| Long journey | 10% or £2-5 | Especially with heavy luggage |
| Uber/Bolt | Optional via app | Not expected, but can tip in-app |
Hotels
| Service | Recommended Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bellhop/porter | £1-2 per bag | For carrying luggage |
| Housekeeping | £2-5 per night | Leave at end of stay |
| Concierge | £5-20 | For special arrangements |
| Room service | 10% | Check if service charge added |
Personal Services
| Service | Recommended Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdresser | 10-15% | Traditionally expected |
| Barber | 10% or round up | £2-5 typical |
| Spa/massage | 10-15% | Check if included |
| Nail technician | 10% | Cash preferred |
| Tattoo artist | 15-20% | Higher due to custom work |
When NOT to Tip in the UK
In many situations, tipping isn't expected or appropriate:
- Pubs: No tipping for bar service (offer to "buy them a drink" instead)
- Coffee shops: Not expected, though tip jars exist
- Supermarket delivery: Not expected
- Petrol stations: Self-service, no tipping
- Public transport: Never tip bus drivers, train staff
- Medical professionals: Never tip doctors, nurses, NHS staff
- Government workers: Never (could be seen as bribery)
Quick Tip Calculation
Here's a quick reference for calculating common tip percentages:
| Bill | 10% | 12.5% | 15% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20 | £2 | £2.50 | £3 | £4 |
| £40 | £4 | £5 | £6 | £8 |
| £60 | £6 | £7.50 | £9 | £12 |
| £80 | £8 | £10 | £12 | £16 |
| £100 | £10 | £12.50 | £15 | £20 |
Tipping When Abroad
When travelling from the UK, tipping customs vary significantly:
- USA: 15-25% expected at restaurants, essential for wait staff income
- Europe: Similar to UK, 5-15% for good service
- Japan: Never tip—it's considered rude
- Australia: Not expected, becoming more common in cities
- Middle East: Often included in bill, 10-15% if not
How Tip Calculations Work
Understanding the mathematics behind tipping helps you calculate quickly without relying on a calculator. The fundamental concept is straightforward: you are calculating a percentage of your total bill and adding it as a gratuity. However, there are nuances that many people overlook when working out what to leave.
When calculating a tip, the first decision is whether to base it on the pre-tax or post-tax amount. In the UK, VAT at 20% is always included in menu prices, so this is less of a concern than in the US where sales tax is added at the till. Your bill total is the amount you should use for tip calculations. If a service charge has already been added, you should not tip on top of it unless you specifically wish to reward exceptional service.
For group dining, tip calculation becomes more complex. Many restaurants add an automatic service charge for parties of six or more, typically 12.5% to 15%. If splitting a bill equally, divide the total including tip by the number of diners. If paying separately, each person should calculate their own tip based on what they ordered. Some groups prefer to round up collectively, which avoids the awkwardness of calculating individual tip amounts.
• 10%: Move the decimal point one place left (e.g., £47.60 becomes £4.76)
• 5%: Calculate 10% then halve it (£4.76 / 2 = £2.38)
• 15%: Add 10% and 5% together (£4.76 + £2.38 = £7.14)
• 20%: Double the 10% figure (£4.76 x 2 = £9.52)
• 12.5%: Calculate 10% plus a quarter of that (£4.76 + £1.19 = £5.95)
UK Tipping Law and Recent Changes
The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which came into force on 1 October 2024, represents a significant change to UK tipping law. Under this legislation, employers must pass on all tips, gratuities, and service charges to workers without deductions. This means that when you leave a tip at a restaurant or add a service charge, the full amount must go to the staff rather than being retained by the business.
Prior to this law, there were widespread reports of employers keeping a portion of tips or service charges, particularly from card payments. The new rules require employers to have a written policy on how tips are distributed, and workers can request information about how tips have been allocated. If you are tipping specifically to reward your server, it is worth knowing that cash tips have traditionally been more likely to go directly to the individual, though the new law should ensure card tips are distributed fairly too.
For delivery drivers working through platforms such as Deliveroo, Just Eat, or Uber Eats, tipping practices vary. In-app tips are typically passed on in full to the driver, and many UK customers now add a pound or two for delivery, particularly in poor weather or for large orders. There is no obligation to tip delivery drivers, but the practice has become more common since the pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tip on takeaway orders in the UK?
Tipping on takeaway orders is not expected in the UK. If you are collecting food from a restaurant, there is no expectation to leave a tip. For delivery orders, a small tip of £1-2 is appreciated but not mandatory. If you are ordering during unsociable hours, in bad weather, or the driver has navigated a difficult delivery, a tip is a kind gesture. Most delivery apps now include an option to tip digitally.
Is it rude not to tip in the UK?
No, it is not considered rude to decline to tip in the UK, particularly if service was average or below expectations. Unlike in the United States where not tipping is seen as a significant social faux pas, British culture treats tipping as a genuine reward for good service. If an optional service charge appears on your bill and you were dissatisfied with the service, you are entirely within your rights to ask for it to be removed. Staff should comply without question.
How do I tip when paying by card?
Most UK card payment terminals now offer the option to add a tip before completing the transaction. You can type in a custom amount or select a suggested percentage. Alternatively, you can ask the staff to add a specific amount to the card payment. If you prefer your tip to go directly to your server, leaving cash on the table remains an option, though the 2024 tipping law should ensure card tips are distributed fairly among staff.
Tipping Culture and Regulations in the United Kingdom
Tipping in the United Kingdom has a distinctly different culture compared to countries such as the United States, where tips are considered an essential part of service workers' income. In Britain, tipping is generally regarded as discretionary and is offered as a reward for good service rather than an expected obligation. However, the landscape of tipping in the UK has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which came into force on 1 October 2024, fundamentally changing how tips must be handled by UK employers.
Under this landmark legislation, UK employers are now legally required to pass on all tips, gratuities, and service charges to workers without deductions. Before this law, some UK restaurants and hospitality venues retained a portion of tips paid by card or deducted administrative fees before distributing them to staff. The Act requires employers to have a written tipping policy, distribute tips fairly among all eligible workers (including kitchen staff and other back-of-house employees), and maintain records of all tips received and distributed for at least three years. Workers who believe their employer is not complying can bring a claim to an employment tribunal.
Despite the optional nature of tipping in the UK, there are commonly accepted norms across different service sectors. In restaurants, a tip of 10 to 12.5% is customary for good service, and many establishments add an optional service charge of 12.5% to the bill automatically. In London, service charges are particularly common. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare to the nearest pound or adding 10% is standard practice for black cabs and licensed minicabs. Hairdressers and barbers typically receive a tip of 2 to 5 pounds, while hotel porters are usually tipped 1 to 2 pounds per bag. Unlike in the US, UK workers in the hospitality sector are paid at least the National Living Wage regardless of tips, making tips a genuine supplement rather than a necessity.
The shift towards contactless and card payments across the UK has also changed tipping habits. Many card machines in UK restaurants now prompt customers to add a tip at the point of payment, with suggested options typically ranging from 10% to 20%. Research by Barclaycard found that the average tip amount increases when customers are prompted digitally compared to leaving cash, though some consumer groups have criticised the practice of pre-selecting higher tip amounts as potentially manipulative. Cash tips remain common in the UK and are preferred by some workers because they are received immediately and may be perceived as more personal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping in the UK
Is a service charge compulsory in UK restaurants?
Do I need to pay tax on tips in the UK?
How much should I tip a delivery driver in the UK?
James Mitchell, ACCA
Chartered Accountant & Former HMRC Advisor
James is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) specialising in UK personal taxation and financial planning. With over 12 years in practice and a background as a former HMRC compliance officer, he brings authoritative insight to complex tax topics.