Kalkulo

Tip calculator

Work out a tip or discretionary service charge for UK restaurants, taxis and hairdressers, with presets from 10% to 15%.

Result
£6
Total with tip : £56

About this tool

Why use this tool

Tipping culture in the UK sits between the French and American models. Since the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 came into force on 1 October 2024, employers are legally required to pass 100% of tips, gratuities and service charges to workers, fairly allocated under a written policy — a landmark change from the previous grey-area practice. This calculator helps you compute a suitable tip for restaurants, taxis, hairdressers or hotel staff, in line with modern British norms.

How it works

Tip = Bill × (Percentage / 100). Typical UK tipping standards: 10-12.5% at sit-down restaurants (often added as a "discretionary service charge" — always optional and removable on request), no tip expected at pubs when ordering at the bar, £1-2 for taxi drivers or rounding up to the nearest pound, 10% for hairdressers. Following the 2024 Act, service charges must be listed separately, cannot be kept by the employer, and must reach staff within one month.

Real example

Dinner for two at a London gastropub comes to £78 with a 12.5% discretionary service charge already added (£9.75), total £87.75. This is optional — if service was poor, ask politely to have it removed. For a black cab fare of £22 from King's Cross, rounding up to £25 is standard. For a £45 haircut in Manchester, £5 (11%) is generous. Ordering a £4.50 pint at the bar — no tip required, though "one for yourself?" is a friendly British alternative.

Practical tips

Under the 2023 Act (Code of Practice from ACAS), you have the right to know how tips are distributed at any workplace. Card tips are now legally protected — the era of employers pocketing service charges is over. Always check whether service is already included before adding a tip. HMRC treats tips as taxable income; cash tips must be declared by the recipient under Self Assessment or via a "tronc" scheme run by the employer, which handles NIC efficiently. For hotel staff, £1-2 per night for housekeeping and £1-2 per bag for porters remains customary.

Disclaimer

UK tipping is discretionary — no tip is legally owed. This calculator provides guidance based on the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, the ACAS Code of Practice and standards published by UK Hospitality. It is not affiliated with HMRC, ACAS or any trade body. For workplace disputes about tip allocation, contact ACAS on 0300 123 1100 or your local Citizens Advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is tipping mandatory in UK restaurants?⌄
Tipping is entirely optional in the UK, unlike in the United States. Service charges in restaurant bills are also optional unless explicitly stated as mandatory, and you can ask for them to be removed if service was poor. When leaving a tip, cash tips given directly to the server are more likely to reach them than card tips, which some establishments have historically distributed differently.
What is a service charge and does it go to staff?⌄
Many UK restaurants add a discretionary service charge of 10-15% to the bill. While it suggests going to staff, this was historically at the restaurant's discretion. The Tipping Act 2023, which came into force in October 2024, now legally requires all tips, gratuities, and service charges to be passed on to workers in full, without deduction, creating much greater transparency.
How much should I tip in the UK?⌄
If you choose to tip in UK restaurants, 10-15% is considered generous for good service. In London, 12.5% is commonly added as a service charge. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest pound or adding 10% is standard, hotel porters typically receive £1-2 per bag, and hairdressers appreciate 10-15%. Unlike the US, not tipping carries no significant social stigma.
Do I need to tip on delivery apps like Deliveroo or Uber Eats?⌄
Tipping on delivery apps in the UK is optional and less expected than in the US. If you choose to tip, £1-2 for a standard delivery is appreciated, particularly in bad weather or for complex orders. Tipping policies vary between platforms, so check whether your tip goes directly to the rider. Tipping in cash where possible ensures the driver receives the full amount.
How is VAT handled in restaurant bills in the UK?⌄
UK restaurants charge 20% VAT on food and non-alcoholic drinks served hot or eaten in. Cold takeaway food is generally zero-rated for VAT. When calculating your tip, you can base it on the pre-VAT subtotal or the total including VAT — the difference is modest. Service charges also attract VAT, so a 12.5% charge costs slightly more than it appears.

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