Tipping in the UK
International tipping guide
Tipping in the UK
In UK restaurants, 10–15% is a familiar gesture when no optional service charge has already been added.
Important international tipping disclaimer
Use this page as a starting point, not a universal rule. This page provides general UK travel-etiquette and calculation guidance. It is not legal, employment, tax, consumer-rights, or financial advice. Practices differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and businesses may use different service-charge or tronc arrangements. An “optional” or “discretionary” charge may be removable, but the exact process depends on the venue. Read the bill, ask the business how the charge is handled, and follow current venue and local guidance.
Interactive travel tool
United Kingdom Tipping Calculator
For flat-amount services, this can remain as context while the quantity drives the result.
Enter the included percentage only when it clearly counts toward your intended gratuity.
The destination and service set a researched starting rate. You can override it transparently.
Quick tipping reference
These are starting ranges, not compulsory charges.
| Service | Starting range | Receipt or context check |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant table service | 10–15% | Use only when an optional service charge is not already present. |
| Taxi | 0–15% | Rounding the fare is also common. |
| Hotel porter or staff | GBP 2–5 per bag or substantial request | Room service may already include a charge. |
| Tour guide | GBP 5–15 per traveler per day | Check the operator’s policy. |
| Food delivery | 0–10% | Usually more optional than restaurant table service. |
How tipping works in United Kingdom
Tipping is less compulsory than in North America. Restaurants often add an optional service charge, while pubs generally do not expect a tip without table service.
Receipt language to recognize
optional service charge discretionary service charge service included
Terminology alone does not prove that a charge reaches a particular worker. Ask the venue when distribution matters.
Service charges and the law in the UK
Since 1 October 2024 the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 requires employers in England, Scotland and Wales to pass all tips, gratuities and service charges to workers in full, and to share them fairly under a written policy. That makes a UK service charge closer to a tip than it used to be — but it is still discretionary, and you can ask for it to be removed if service was poor.
Reading a UK bill
- “Discretionary service charge 12.5%” — common in London and larger restaurant groups. If you pay it, no further tip is expected.
- No service line — 10% is normal for table service; 12.5–15% for exceptional service in London.
- Card-machine prompts — a tip screen at a counter-service café is optional; declining is ordinary.
Pubs, cabs and hotels
At the bar, people do not tip per drink; offering the bartender “one for yourself” (the price of a drink) is an old custom that is now rare. Black-cab and minicab fares are usually rounded up to the next pound or topped up by about 10%. Hotel porters commonly receive £1–£2 per bag.
Worked example
A bill of £84.00 with a 12.5% discretionary service charge comes to £94.50 — pay that and stop. The same meal with no service line: 10% is £8.40, so £92.40, or round to £93.
More tipping guides
Compare customs in Europe, France and the United States, or see every destination in Tipping by Country. To work out an amount for any bill, use the tip calculator.
Related calculators and country guides
Continue with the most useful next step.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip in United Kingdom?
Use the calculator as a starting point, then check the receipt, service type, local custom and venue policy.
Should I tip when a service charge is included?
Not automatically. Identify whether the charge replaces gratuity, is compulsory, or is simply another fee before adding more.
Should I calculate the tip before or after tax?
Use the base that matches local practice and your intention. The calculator keeps the choice transparent.
Do card-terminal tip prompts reflect local custom?
Not necessarily. A payment interface can show preset percentages even where tipping is optional or not expected.
Can the same country have different tipping rules?
Yes. City, region, resort, venue category, service type and booking terms can all change the practical answer.
Can I refuse a service charge in the UK?
Yes. A “discretionary” or “optional” service charge can be removed on request. Explain why politely when paying.
Do tips go to staff in the UK?
Under the 2023 Act they must, in full, whether paid by cash or card. Employers may deduct only what the law allows, such as income tax.
Methodology and authoritative references
CalcTypes separates arithmetic from etiquette. The tool applies a transparent percentage or flat amount, while the editorial guidance identifies whether tipping is expected, optional, included or generally unnecessary. Sources are reviewed for destination relevance and receipt terminology.