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How Much Should You Tip on Takeout? Americans Can't Agree

Payment screens may suggest 20%, but there's a more practical approach.

By Roxana Loomes , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated July 18, 2026

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Tipping at restaurants used to feel fairly straightforward: Sit down for a meal, leave a gratuity for good service, and head home.

Takeout is another story. Digital payment screens prompt customers to tip before they even receive the food. Many Americans are left wondering whether picking up dinner now comes with the same expectations as dining in. As they increasingly struggle to get ahead financially, many argue that tipping should be reserved for table service.

There isn't a clear consensus. While Americans agree that tipping has expanded into more areas of life, they remain unsure whether takeout should be subject to the same expectations as table service.

Here's what etiquette dictates, and what everyday diners say about tipping on takeout.

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Americans say tipping expectations have become confusing

If you're finding yourself hesitating at a checkout screen asking for a 20% tip on a takeout order, you're not alone.

According to a Pew Research Center study, 72% of U.S. adults say they're being asked to tip in more places than in the past. At the same time, only about one-third say it's very or extremely easy to know when tipping is expected, while most describe the rules as confusing.

Most Americans accept tipping as the norm in full-service restaurants, but takeout falls into a gray area. Some customers see it as a courtesy, while many others don't consider it necessary when there's no table service involved.

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Etiquette experts don't treat takeout the same as dining in

Etiquette experts cited by Kiplinger make an important distinction between eating at a restaurant and picking up food to go. For traditional table service, they uphold the traditional recommendation for a 15% to 20% tip. But for takeout, they say gratuities are optional rather than expected.

You may interpret that as skipping the tip every time, but it's more nuanced than that. A small tip (often a few dollars or around 5% to 10%) is worth it for especially large or complicated orders. Consider this: employees may spend significant time assembling meals, checking for accuracy, carefully packaging food, and ensuring everything is ready for the scheduled pickup time. Arguably, that's different from placing a single burger in a bag.

However, for a simple lunch order or quick pickup, there's no obligation to leave the same 20% tip that would be customary after full table service.

Restaurant workers still put time into preparing takeout

You'd be right to argue that takeout doesn't include refilling drinks or checking on diners throughout a meal. Yet restaurant employees often perform work you never see.

Even though they don't serve you directly, front-of-house staff frequently package orders, organize utensils and condiments, verify special requests, and coordinate pickup timing.

Some restaurants also pool tips among hosts, cashiers, and other front-of-house employees, so even modest gratuities may be shared among multiple workers.

Understanding what goes into preparing a takeout order helps explain why many restaurants include tipping prompts, even if customers decide not to leave one.

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Everyday diners have very different opinions

Etiquette experts may generally agree on takeout tipping, but everyday diners certainly don't. The debate becomes obvious in online discussions.

"I already paid for the food."

In one Reddit thread about takeout tipping, commenters expressed a wide range of opinions. Some said they never tip for pickup because they believe gratuities should be reserved for table service or delivery.

"I never tip when ordering food to go. [...] Last time I checked, I wasn't responsible for payroll at a food joint. Especially when the servers don't lift a finger with my order. If I did tip, I'd prefer it go to the kitchen; they did 99 percent of the service anyway," states user AmphibianPublic1357.

"I leave a dollar or two."

Many Redditors settled somewhere in the middle. They said they typically skip tipping on small orders but leave 5% for large family meals, complicated orders with multiple modifications, or restaurants they visit regularly.

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"I tip 10% for large orders."

Some users take issue with the suggested tips, which often exceed 10%. Still, they enter a 10% gratuity when they feel the order warrants it.

Redditor kool-i-guess, who used to work in restaurants, explains their reasoning: "The staff takes time to prepare and package the food, and the extra takeaway condiments and supplies (forks, napkins, containers) that you would normally not receive. [...] I generally tip 10%."

"I only tip if it's a local restaurant."

Others said they were more likely to tip at locally owned restaurants than national chains, viewing it as a way to support small businesses rather than an obligation.

While Reddit hardly represents all Americans, the discussion reflects the broader uncertainty captured in national surveys: there simply isn't one universally accepted rule for takeout tipping.

A practical middle ground

So, what to do, especially if you feel pressured every time a payment screen asks for a tip? Etiquette experts generally recommend matching the gratuity to the level of service provided.

A simple pickup order usually doesn't require the same tip as sit-down dining. While that's something most people agree on, leaving a few dollars (or around 5% to 10%) for particularly large, customized, or labor-intensive takeout orders could be a thoughtful compromise.

Ultimately, there's no universal rule that satisfies everyone. But if you're wondering whether you need to tip the suggested amount on the screen every time you pick up dinner, both etiquette experts and many diners suggest the answer is usually no.

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Bottom line

Takeout tipping isn't as clear-cut as leaving 20% after a restaurant meal, and that's exactly why so many Americans struggle with it. Payment screens may suggest generous gratuities, but most etiquette experts stop short of saying they're expected for every pickup order.

As you try to keep more cash in your pocket, you may be unsure whether to tip on takeout. Our suggestion? Think beyond the checkout screen. Large catering orders, multiple special requests, or curbside pickup require extra staff time and may warrant a small gratuity. For a simple grab-and-go meal, you may forgo the tip without guilt.

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