The majority of respondents say they tip an average of 11% to 20%. Most people tip more when they leave a digital tip. Nearly 65% of people tip at least 11% more when they tip digitally versus with cash. One in three people feel pressured to tip, while 18% feel uncomfortable about tipping.

In 2026, the dominant tipping trend is defined by "tipping fatigue" balanced against a shift toward digital transparency. While the standard 18-25% remains the norm in full-service restaurants, consumers are increasingly pushing back against "automated prompts" at self-service kiosks and retail checkouts. Recent data shows that Gen Z and Millennials are "rewriting the rules," often tipping more for "extreme" service or during holidays but refusing to tip for non-service interactions like buying a bottled water. Many hospitality businesses have begun moving toward a hybrid model, where a mandatory "service charge" (usually 15-18%) is included to ensure a living wage for both front-of-house and back-of-house staff, with an optional gratuity line on top. This "modernized" structure aims to reduce the variability of income for workers while providing guests with a clearer understanding of where their money is going. Despite the fatigue, the social pressure of the "swivel-tablet" remains a powerful motivator in urban centers.