Even if the service is poor, it's recommended you leave at least 10 percent. * Check your tab carefully because some places add a gratuity to the bill. You may or may not want to supplement that. For the wait staff at sit-down restaurants, the tip should be 15 percent to 20 percent of the pretax bill.

In the United States in 2026, a 10% tip is generally considered "bad" or an indicator of poor service. The standard expected gratuity for sit-down dining has shifted toward 18% to 22% for satisfactory-to-excellent service. Leaving 10% is often interpreted by service staff as a "message" that the guest was dissatisfied with the experience, as most servers rely on tips to supplement sub-minimum "tipped wages." However, tipping norms are highly contextual: 10% is still acceptable for "buffet-style" service where a server only clears plates, or for certain services like hairdressing or taxis where the 10-15% range remains a baseline. In many "quick-service" kiosks (iPad tipping), 10% is actually seen as a generous gesture for a task that historically didn't require a tip at all. Ultimately, while not "illegal," a 10% tip at a traditional restaurant is likely to result in a "thank you" that feels noticeably less warm than the norm.