Tipping in the United States has been a hot button topic for many years.
Overall, average restaurant tips in the U.S. in 2026 across all establishment types stood at about 18.8%, according to a recent analysis by Toast.
Here’s a look at which states tipped the most and the least.
Delaware tips the most
Big picture view:
Tipping percentages varied significantly depending on geographic location.
Delaware recorded the highest overall average tip percentage among states at 22.1% (with 22.5% for FSR and 18.8% for QSR), while California recorded the lowest overall average at 17.3% (17.7% for FSR and 14.8% for QSR).
FILE – Customer using Chowbus handheld checkout system and choosing tip, Queens, New York. (Photo by: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Tipping in the US
By the numbers:
Tipping behavior remained relatively steady over the past two years, with full-service restaurant (FSR) tips averaging 19.3% and quick-service restaurant (QSR) tips averaging 15.8%.
Takeout transactions saw the lowest average tip percentage at 13.7%, reflecting a general tendency for diners to tip less when personal interaction and table service are reduced or absent.
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A gap remained between restaurant types, as full-service dining consistently outpaced quick-service tipping by roughly 3.5 percentage points.
Regulars tipped more
Dig deeper:
While real-world diner behavior acted as a benchmark — typically 18–20% for full-service table service and 14–16% for quick-service orders — personal connection heavily influenced gratuity.
A survey highlighted in the data revealed that 77% of diners tip more at restaurants where they are regulars, with many adding an extra 5% to 15% or more on top of their standard tip.