Guides/Service charge & tipping

Tipping when a service charge is included

Large-party auto-gratuity or a line labeled “service charge” may already cover what you think of as the tip. Adding another 20% on top can double-pay unless you intend an extra thank-you.

Read the receipt

• Find “service charge,” “gratuity,” or “auto-grat” and the percent or dollar amount.
• Ask whether it goes to servers — wording varies —gratuity vs service charge.
• Blank tip line still appears on many slips even when auto-grat is present — easy to miss.

Worked example

1. Subtotal $200; 18% service charge = $36; tax separate.
2. If the charge is the tip, an extra 18% ($36 more) doubles gratuity.
3. Optional: add a small extra only for exceptional service after confirming staff receive the charge.

Related situations

Large groups·Etiquette·Before/after tax·Tax vs tip

Tool

Tip Calculator— use when no auto-grat is present, or to sanity-check the printed percent.