How Much to Tip in the UK: Restaurants, Taxis, Hotels (2026)

In the UK, tipping is optional. In restaurants with table service, around 10% to 12.5% is the usual custom if you are happy with the service, and many restaurants add this as a service charge already. People rarely tip in pubs, and taxi tips usually mean rounding up the fare. Since 1 October 2024, the law requires employers to pass tips on to workers in full.

This guide is for visitors from the US and elsewhere, and for anyone in the UK who wants a straight answer. To split a bill or work out a percentage, use the free tip calculator.

Contents

1. UK tipping customs at a glance
2. Service charges: check the bill first
3. What the UK tipping law says
4. Tipping in the UK vs the US
5. How to work out a tip quickly
6. Etiquette tips for visitors
7. FAQs

UK tipping customs at a glance

SituationUsual customRestaurant with table service10% to 12.5%, if no service charge is on the billBill already shows a service chargeNothing extra neededCafé or counter serviceOptional; small change in a tip jarPub (ordering at the bar)Not expectedTaxi or minicabRound up, or around 10% for help with bagsHotel porter or housekeepingOptional; a pound or two is commonHairdresser or barberOptional; around 10% is commonFood deliveryOptional, often added in the app

These are customs, not rules. Nobody in the UK should treat you badly for leaving no tip after poor service.

Service charges: check the bill first

Many UK restaurants, especially in London, add a service charge of around 12.5% to the bill. It usually shows as a separate line and is often described as "discretionary" or "optional".

If the charge is there, you do not need to tip again. If you were unhappy with the service, you can politely ask for a discretionary charge to be removed. Larger groups often see an automatic charge, so look for a note on the menu.

What the UK tipping law says

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 came into force on 1 October 2024. It makes employers pass all qualifying tips, gratuities and service charges to workers without deductions, and allocate them fairly. Employers that regularly receive tips must have a written tipping policy and keep records for three years.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 added a duty to consult workers on that policy and review it at least every three years. The details are in the GOV.UK statutory code of practice on tips. As a customer, this means a card tip or service charge should now reach the staff, so you do not need to tip in cash to be sure.

Tipping in the UK vs the US

US visitors are often surprised by how little tipping happens in the UK. In the US, many restaurant staff earn a lower cash wage and rely on tips. In the UK, workers must receive at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage before any tips, so tips are a bonus rather than the main income.

That is why 10% to 12.5% is normal in the UK rather than 18% to 20%. Prices on UK menus also already include VAT, so the price you see is the price you pay, apart from any service charge. You can read more about wage rates in our guide to the 2026 National Minimum Wage.

How to work out a tip quickly

For 10%, move the decimal point one place to the left: £46.80 becomes £4.68. For 12.5%, take 10% and add a quarter of it: £4.68 plus £1.17 is £5.85. Most people round to a neat figure.

Splitting a bill between friends? Add the tip first, then divide. A £120 bill with 12.5% becomes £135, which is £33.75 each for four people. The percentage calculator handles any other percentage you need.

Etiquette tips for visitors

• Pay at the table: staff bring a card machine. Some machines ask if you want to add a tip; you can choose "no tip" if a service charge is already included.
• Pubs: if you want to thank bar staff, the custom is to offer to buy them a drink, which they may take as cash.
• Black cabs: most accept cards. Rounding up to the next pound or few pounds is normal.
• Contactless is everywhere: you rarely need cash, even for tips.

Frequently asked questions

Is tipping expected in the UK?

Tipping is optional in the UK. In sit-down restaurants, 10% to 12.5% is customary for good service unless a service charge is already on the bill.

Do you tip in UK pubs?

Not usually. If you order at the bar, tipping is not expected. Some people offer to buy the bartender a drink instead.

Is a service charge compulsory in the UK?

Service charges are usually described as discretionary. If you were not happy with the service, you can ask for an optional service charge to be removed.

Do staff get tips paid by card?

Yes. Since 1 October 2024, employers in Great Britain must pass all qualifying tips, including card tips and service charges, to workers without deductions.

How much do you tip a taxi driver in the UK?

Most people round up the fare. Around 10% is common if the driver helps with luggage.

Should Americans tip 20% in London?

There is no need. 10% to 12.5% is the usual custom in London restaurants, and many already add a 12.5% service charge.

Last checked: 16 October 2026. Rules and dates can change, so confirm anything important with the official source linked above.