Unsure how much to tip in UK restaurants? Check your bill for a service charge first, then leave what reflects the service. Since 1 October 2024, employers must pass tips on to staff.
Tipping is one small part of the food and dining guide for eating out in the UK.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Tipping Act Royal Assent | 2 May 2023 |
| Tipping rules and code in effect | 1 October 2024 |
| Where the rules apply | England, Scotland and Wales |
| Workers the code is meant to protect | More than 2 million |
| Tips counting towards minimum wage | None, since 2009 |
Figures come from the GOV.UK code of practice and a GOV.UK press release. Rules and figures can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
Check the bill before you tip
The sources used for this guide give no recommended percentage, so treat any percentage you hear as custom rather than rule. What matters first is whether the bill already includes a service charge.
The GOV.UK tipping code covers tips, gratuities and service charges, including both automatically added and other voluntary service charges. If a charge is already on your bill, it falls under the same rules as a tip left by choice. A separate piece on restaurant service charge explained covers that topic in more detail.
A simple routine at the table:
- Read the bill and the menu for any service charge.
- Decide whether the service you received deserves more on top.
- If you are unsure how tips are shared, ask a member of staff politely.
Tipping is not the only thing to sort out before you order. If you have dietary needs, read about allergen information in restaurants UK as well.
Where does your tip go?
The government describes tips as what consumers leave in recognition of good service and hard work. The aim of the law is that the money reaches the workers as intended. As of the GOV.UK code, which came into effect on 1 October 2024, employers must now do the following under the Tipping Act:
- Pass on all tips and service charges to workers without deductions, except in very limited scenarios such as income tax.
- Keep a written policy on how tips are dealt with, and make it available to all workers.
- Keep a record of all tips paid and how they were shared, which workers can ask to see.
The rules apply in England, Scotland and Wales. According to GOV.UK’s press release of 22 April 2024, employment policy is devolved to Northern Ireland, so the measures do not cover it.
How tips can be shared between staff
A fair split does not have to be an equal one. The code says allocating tips fairly does not necessarily mean giving every worker the same proportion, and there can be legitimate reasons for differences. Trade press coverage of the draft code listed factors an employer may weigh up:
- Type of role
- Performance
- Length of time served
- Customer intention
The same coverage in BigHospitality noted that a tronc system can be used to distribute tips fairly and transparently. It also said that if a worker receives and keeps a cash tip, with no employer control or involvement, the tip is out of scope for the Tipping Act and the code.
What tipping looks like in numbers
Tipping habits shift from year to year. A September 2023 BigHospitality report said the average value of tips across Britain had fallen to £5.60 per transaction, down 7% on 2022.
The government says the code will protect the tips of more than 2 million workers. It also states that tips cannot count towards minimum wage pay, which has been the case since 2009.
Those figures describe the wider picture, not a target for your own table. Your tip is a personal call based on the service you received.
If tips are not passed on
This section is mainly for staff, but it shows why the rules exist. GOV.UK says workers can view an employer’s tipping policy and tipping records, and can use the code as evidence in an employment tribunal.
The same press release says anyone worried about pay should first speak to their employer. If the problem is not resolved, they can contact Acas by phoning 0300 123 1122.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to leave a tip?
Show answer
The sources used for this guide describe tips as what customers leave in recognition of good service and give no required amount. Check your bill first, because a service charge may already be included.
Is a service charge the same as a tip?
Show answer
They are different things on the bill, but the GOV.UK code treats tips, gratuities and service charges together, including automatically added ones. All fall under the rules on passing money to workers.
Do tips count towards the minimum wage?
Show answer
No. GOV.UK’s press release of 22 April 2024 says tips cannot count towards minimum wage pay, and that this has been the case since 2009.
Do the tipping rules apply in Northern Ireland?
Show answer
As of GOV.UK’s press release of 22 April 2024, the measures apply to England, Scotland and Wales, and employment policy is devolved to Northern Ireland.
Can a waiter keep a cash tip?
Show answer
BigHospitality’s December 2023 coverage of the draft code said a cash tip a worker receives and keeps, with no employer control or involvement, is out of scope for the Tipping Act and the code.
