Service charge calculator (12.5%)
Most sit-down UK restaurants add a discretionary 12.5% service charge to the bill — especially in London and on tables of six or more. It goes to the staff, so you don't need to add a further tip. The calculator above defaults to 12.5% so it works both as a tip calculator and a service charge check: enter your subtotal and see the total with service.
The service charge is discretionary in England and Wales. If service was poor you can ask for it to be removed; staff know the drill and won't take offence. Under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, tips and service charges added to the bill legally have to be passed on to staff in a fair way.
How much to tip in the UK
Tipping in the UK is appreciated but more modest than in the United States, because hospitality staff are paid at least minimum wage. For a sit-down restaurant, 10–12.5% is standard, with 15% for genuinely outstanding service.
| Setting | Typical UK tip |
|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | 10–12.5% (or none if service charge is on the bill) |
| Pub — drinks at the bar | None |
| Pub — food served to table | 10%, optional |
| Coffee shop / takeaway | None expected; round up if you like |
| Food delivery | 10% or £2–3, optional |
| Black cab / private taxi | Round up to nearest £1 or £5 |
| Hairdresser | 10% or a few pounds |
| Hotel porter | £1–2 per bag |
Quick tip answers
The most-searched bill amounts in the UK:
| Bill | 10% | 12.5% | 15% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20 | £2.00 | £2.50 | £3.00 | £4.00 |
| £30 | £3.00 | £3.75 | £4.50 | £6.00 |
| £50 | £5.00 | £6.25 | £7.50 | £10.00 |
| £75 | £7.50 | £9.38 | £11.25 | £15.00 |
| £100 | £10.00 | £12.50 | £15.00 | £20.00 |
| £150 | £15.00 | £18.75 | £22.50 | £30.00 |
| £200 | £20.00 | £25.00 | £30.00 | £40.00 |
Tip on a £100 bill at the standard 12.5% = £12.50, total £112.50.
Taxi tip calculator
For black cabs and licensed minicabs in the UK, a full percentage tip isn't expected. The convention is to round up to the nearest pound, or to the next £5 on longer journeys. So a £13.20 fare typically becomes £14, and a £27 fare might become £30. Uber and Bolt include a tipping option in-app; a couple of pounds is enough for a good driver.
| Fare | Rounded tip | Suggested total |
|---|---|---|
| £4.60 | £0.40 | £5 |
| £8.20 | £0.80 | £9 |
| £13.20 | £0.80 | £14 |
| £17.50 | £0.50 or £2.50 | £18 or £20 |
| £27.00 | £3 | £30 |
Do you tip at a pub?
Not for drinks bought at the bar — it's not the custom in the UK. For table service in a gastropub, 10% is appreciated but never expected. The traditional alternative to a tip at the bar is to offer the bartender a drink ("and one for yourself"). They'll add the price of a half-pint to your round.
Cash tips vs card tips
Since October 2024, the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 requires employers to pass on 100% of tips and service charges to workers, whether paid by cash or card. Card tips used to leak into card-processing fees or admin — that's no longer legal. Cash still tends to reach staff faster and more directly, but there's no meaningful difference in whether it reaches them.
How the tip is worked out
Tip = bill × (percentage ÷ 100). So a £50 bill at 12.5% is 50 × 0.125 = £6.25, giving a total of £56.25. Split across four people that's £14.06 each. The calculator handles the rounding for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 12.5% service charge a tip?
How much should I tip on a £100 bill?
Do I tip at a pub in the UK?
Do I tip taxis in the UK?
Cash tip or card tip?
Should I tip on the food total or with VAT?
What if service was poor?
How do I split a bill fairly?
Results are for general information. Tipping norms vary by venue and region; use your own judgement.