YepTip

Tipping in UK: The UK Tipping Guide

Tipping expected
%
Average tip
£
GBP
Yes
Tipping custom
8
Services covered

How much to tip in UK

Service Range Recommended Notes
Restaurant 10–In restaurants Tip 10% for good service% %
Hotel / Housekeeping 0% Optional In the UK Tip mostly at high end hotels
Taxi / Rideshare 10–15% 10% Round up to the nearest pound or add 10%.
Spa & Massage 0% Optional At spas DON'T TIP in the UK
Bar 0% Optional Round up per drink.
Hairdresser / Barber 0% Optional A small tip is appreciated.
Tour Guide 0% Optional Tip for good service.
Food Delivery 0–10% Optional Optional; a couple of pounds is appreciated.

Notes by Service

Restaurant

Hotel / Housekeeping

In the UK Tip mostly at high end hotels

Taxi / Rideshare

Round up to the nearest pound or add 10%.

Spa & Massage

At spas DON'T TIP in the UK

Bar

Round up per drink.

Hairdresser / Barber

A small tip is appreciated.

Tour Guide

Tip for good service.

Food Delivery

Optional; a couple of pounds is appreciated.

About Tipping in UK

Overview

Tipping in the UK is appreciated but far less obligatory than in North America. Sit-down restaurants are the main context where a tip is expected — roughly 10–12.5% — but the culture is relaxed and nobody will be offended if you don't add extra.

When to tip

Tip at sit-down restaurants when you've had table service. Tipping is not expected at pub bars where you order at the counter, though you can offer the bartender "one for yourself" as a gesture. Hotels, taxis, and hairdressers appreciate a tip but won't be surprised without one.

How to tip

Before adding a tip, check your bill — many restaurants automatically add a 10–12.5% service charge, especially in London. If it's already there, you're done. If not, add cash or ask staff to add it to the card payment. For taxis, simply round up to the nearest pound.

Cultural context

British tipping culture sits somewhere between continental Europe (where tipping is minimal) and the US (where it's near-mandatory). There's no shame in not tipping, and service staff generally receive at least minimum wage. That said, in central London and tourist areas, a tip for decent restaurant service is increasingly the norm.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is tipping customary in UK?

Yes, tipping is customary in UK.

How much should I tip at a restaurant in UK?

10–In restaurants Tip 10% for good service% is typical. undefined

How much should I tip hotel housekeeping in UK?

Tipping is not generally expected. In the UK Tip mostly at high end hotels

How much should I tip a taxi driver in UK?

10–15% is typical. Round up to the nearest pound or add 10%.

How much should I tip for a massage or spa treatment in UK?

Tipping is not generally expected. At spas DON'T TIP in the UK

Do you tip at bars in UK?

Tipping is not generally expected. Round up per drink.

How much should I tip a hairdresser in UK?

Tipping is not generally expected. A small tip is appreciated.

How much should I tip a tour guide in UK?

Tipping is not generally expected. Tip for good service.

Should I tip for food delivery in UK?

Tipping is not generally expected. Optional; a couple of pounds is appreciated.

Is £10 a good tip for a taxi in the UK?

Yes, £10 is a very generous tip for a standard UK taxi journey, where passengers usually just round up to the nearest pound. For longer airport transfers, a £10 tip is highly appreciated but not strictly expected.

Is £50 a good tip for a massage in the UK?

A £50 tip is exceptionally generous for a massage in the UK, where tipping is appreciated but usually limited to 10% to 15% of the service cost. For a standard treatment, a £10 to £20 tip is more customary.

Is £1000 a big tip in the UK?

Yes, £1000 is an extraordinarily large, life-changing tip in the UK that is virtually unheard of in everyday service industries. Tips of this size are extremely rare and generally reserved for ultra-luxury venues or high-end concierge services.

Is it rude not to tip at a restaurant in the UK?

It is not considered rude if a service charge, usually 12.5%, is already included on the bill. If no service charge is added, leaving a 10% to 15% tip is standard etiquette for good service, but you can choose not to tip if the service was poor.

How much should I tip for a £100 haircut in the UK?

For a £100 haircut, a tip of £10 to £15 is customary and highly appreciated by your stylist. If you are paying at a high-end salon, leaving a £10 note directly for the stylist is a very polite gesture.

Should I tip a food delivery driver £5 in the UK?

Yes, a £5 tip for a food delivery driver in the UK is considered very generous, as most people tip between £1 and £2, or simply round up the bill. Tipping delivery drivers is appreciated but entirely optional, especially if you have already paid a delivery fee online.

Is £20 a good tip for a hotel porter in the UK?

A £20 tip is extremely generous for a hotel porter in the UK, where the standard rate is typically £1 to £2 per bag. While highly appreciated, a £5 note is more than sufficient for carrying multiple bags to your room.