Tip Calculator — Restaurant & Service Tips

Tipping in the UK is discretionary, not mandatory. A typical restaurant tip is 10–12.5% of the bill, though this varies by establishment and region. Many restaurants add an optional service charge of 12.5%, which you can ask to have removed if the service was poor.

For other services, UK customs differ from American expectations. Taxi drivers are usually tipped by rounding up to the nearest pound. Hairdressers typically receive £2–£5. Hotel porters may get £1–£2 per bag. There is no expectation to tip in pubs, cafes or for takeaway orders.

Since October 2024, the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act requires employers to pass 100% of tips to staff. This calculator shows tip amounts at common UK percentages and lets you adjust based on the service you received.

UK tipping conventions by venue type. Restaurants with table service: 10-12.5% standard if service not included. Service charge added: typically 12.5% (London increasingly 15%). Cafés/counter service: tip jar entirely optional. Taxis: round up to nearest £1 or 10% on longer fares. Uber: 10-15% via in-app tip, optional. Hair salons: 10% standard. Hotels: £1-£2/bag for porters, £1-£3/night for housekeeping (often skipped in UK vs US). Pubs: no tipping for drinks at bar; for table-served food, 10% or accept the service charge.

Service charge — is it optional? Yes, by UK law since the 1980s. Restaurants must label service as 'discretionary' or 'optional'. You can request it be removed for any reason — including poor service or simple preference. Allocation: from 1 October 2024, the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 requires employers to distribute 100% of tips to staff (no employer skim). Card tips go via 'tronc' systems — see your receipt to verify, or ask staff directly. Cash tips bypass tronc and go directly to whoever you hand them to.

Tax treatment of tips in the UK. Tips are taxable income to the recipient. Cash tips: employee responsibility to declare via Self Assessment (or PAYE 'tronc' if employer-administered). Card tips processed via tronc: PAYE deducted before payment to staff — already net. National Insurance: payable on tips that come through tronc (employer treats as wages); cash tips paid directly are NOT subject to NI. Service charge added to bill and distributed: subject to both PAYE and NI like wages.

How much do UK service workers earn from tips? Average hospitality worker in tipped role: tips add £1-£4/hour to base wage (NMW £12.21/hr 2026/27 if 25+). London upscale restaurants: tips can add £5-£15/hour. Hairdressers: tips often supplement low base — average 10% earnings from tips. Taxi drivers: 5-10% of fare typical. Total UK tipping industry: ~£3 billion/year, ONS estimates. Since 1 Oct 2024 Allocation of Tips Act: workers must receive 100% of tips — average £200/month extra for full-time tronc workers.

Group dining and splitting the tip. Even split is fairest if everyone ordered similar amounts. Group of 8 with £200 bill + 12.5% service = £225 total ÷ 8 = £28.13 pp. Mixed orders: itemised splitting via Splitwise/Tricount avoids resentment. Birthday rule: person celebrated traditionally doesn't pay their share — group covers (including service). Awkward but common: someone ordered the £80 steak, others £15 pasta — agree split convention before ordering, not at billing. Service charge on large groups (8+) often automatic — check menu fine print.