Free tool
NYC Tip & Sales Tax Calculator
Type the menu prices or the subtotal. Get the 8.875% New York sales tax, a fair tip and each person's share — in one go.
Restaurant meals in New York City carry 8.875% sales tax, and the usual tip for table service is 18–20% of the pre-tax bill. On a $100 dinner that means $8.88 tax and an $18–$20 tip, so about $127–$129 in total. Doubling the tax line gives a quick 17.75% tip.
Tipping in New York, briefly
- Sit-down restaurants: 18–20% of the pre-tax bill; 20%+ for great service.
- Bars: $1–$2 per drink, or about 20% of a tab.
- Coffee counters and bakeries: optional — a dollar or the lowest preset is fine.
- Delivery: 15–20%, with a few dollars minimum; more in rain or snow.
- Taxis: 15–20% of the fare — see the taxi fare estimator.
- Hotel staff: a few dollars per bag for bellhops and a few dollars a night for housekeeping is customary.
Looking for somewhere worth tipping well? Start with our guides to New York's best restaurants — kosher and otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax on food in NYC?
Restaurant meals in New York City are taxed at 8.875% — 4% New York State, 4.5% New York City and a 0.375% Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District surcharge. Most groceries bought to cook at home are exempt, but prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed.
How much should I tip at a restaurant in New York?
For table service, 18% to 20% of the pre-tax bill is the norm in New York, and 20% or more for excellent service or at high-end restaurants. Below 15% signals a problem with the service. Servers in New York are paid a lower tipped minimum wage, so the tip is a real part of their pay rather than a bonus.
Do you tip on the tax or before tax?
Etiquette says tip on the pre-tax subtotal, and that is what this calculator does by default. In practice plenty of New Yorkers tip on the total because it is the number at the bottom of the receipt — the difference on a $100 dinner is under $2.
What is the 'double the tax' trick?
Because New York's tax rate is 8.875%, doubling the tax line on your receipt gives you a 17.75% tip — a quick mental shortcut to a respectable tip. Add a little on top to reach 20%.
Some restaurants add a service charge. Do I still tip?
Check the bill. Some New York restaurants add an automatic gratuity for large parties, or a service charge in place of tipping. If a gratuity is already included, you do not need to add another full tip. If the line says something else — an 'admin fee' or 'kitchen charge' — ask, because it may not go to your server.
How much do you tip for takeout, delivery and coffee?
Takeout tips are optional — 10% is generous. Delivery workers in New York usually get 15% to 20% or a few dollars minimum, more in bad weather. At coffee counters, a dollar a drink or the low preset on the tablet is normal. Bartenders typically get $1 to $2 a drink or 20% of the tab.
Now find somewhere worth the tip
Hand-picked guides to New York's best restaurants, kosher dining, pizza and bagels.
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