Tipping in Canada 2026: How Much to Tip by Province
Last updated: February 2026
Tipping in Canada can feel confusing, especially with digital payment terminals now prompting 20% or more for a simple coffee. Whether you are a Canadian who wants to tip fairly without overpaying, a newcomer learning local customs, or a visitor from a country where tipping is uncommon, this guide covers everything you need to know about tipping etiquette across every province in 2026.
We break down standard tipping rates by service type, explain the pre-tax vs. post-tax debate, highlight province-by-province differences in Ontario, Quebec, BC, Alberta, and beyond, and address how "tip creep" has changed expectations since COVID. For quick calculations, use our free Canadian tip calculator that accounts for provincial tax rates.
Skip the Math: Use Our Free Tip Calculator
Select your province, enter your bill amount, and get the exact tip on the pre-tax total instantly. Works for restaurants, delivery, salons, and more.
Open Tip Calculator →How Much Should You Tip in Canada? Standard Rates by Service Type
The following table shows commonly accepted tipping ranges across Canada. These rates apply to the pre-tax bill amount unless otherwise noted.
| Service Type | Standard Tip | Good Tip | Exceptional Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurants | 15% | 18% | 20-25% |
| Food delivery | 10% | 15% | 18-20% |
| Takeout / counter service | $0 (optional) | 10% | 15% |
| Hair salons / barbers | 15% | 18% | 20-25% |
| Spa / massage | 15% | 18% | 20% |
| Taxis / rideshare | 10% | 15% | 18-20% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2-3/night | $4-5/night | $5-10/night |
| Hotel bellhop / valet | $2-3/bag | $3-5/bag | $5+/bag |
| Movers | $20/mover | $30-40/mover | $50+/mover |
| Coffee shops / fast food | $0 (optional) | $1-2 | 10-15% |
All percentage tips should be calculated on the pre-tax subtotal. Use our tip calculator to get the exact amount.
How Much Should You Tip at a Restaurant in Canada?
For sit-down restaurants with table service, 15-20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard tipping range across Canada. Here is how to think about it:
- •15% is the baseline for adequate, friendly service. This is not a "bad" tip in Canada; it is perfectly standard.
- •18% signals that you had a good experience and the server went above the basics.
- •20% is generous and typically reserved for excellent service, special occasions, or large parties.
- •25%+ is exceptional and generally reserved for outstanding experiences at fine dining establishments.
For buffets or self-serve restaurants where a server only brings drinks, 10% is acceptable. For large groups of 6 or more, many Canadian restaurants automatically add an 18% gratuity to the bill, so check before adding a tip on top.
Should You Tip on the Pre-Tax or Post-Tax Amount?
This is one of the most debated tipping questions in Canada, and the answer is straightforward: tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Sales taxes like HST, GST, and PST are government charges that go to federal and provincial coffers, not to the restaurant or server. Your tip should reflect the value of the food and service, not the tax rate in your province.
Here is why it matters. In Ontario, 13% HST on a $100 meal makes your bill $113. If you tip 15% on the post-tax total ($16.95), you are effectively tipping 16.95% on the actual cost of your meal. On a single dinner it is a small difference, but across a year of dining out it adds up to hundreds of dollars.
Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Tip: Example on a $100 Meal in Ontario (13% HST)
Pre-Tax Tip (Correct)
15% of $100.00 = $15.00
Total paid: $128.00
Post-Tax Tip (Overpaying)
15% of $113.00 = $16.95
Total paid: $129.95
That is $1.95 extra per meal. If you dine out twice a week, that adds up to over $200 per year.
The catch is that many digital payment terminals in Canada calculate tip percentages on the post-tax total by default. When the screen shows "15% = $16.95," it is using the post-tax amount. If you want to tip on pre-tax, choose the custom tip option and enter the dollar amount yourself.
Calculate Your Pre-Tax Tip Instantly
Our free tip calculator automatically removes provincial tax from your bill so you always tip on the right amount. Just select your province and enter the total.
Try the Tip Calculator →How Does Tipping Differ by Province in Canada?
While the 15-20% restaurant standard applies nationwide, there are notable differences in tax structure and local customs across provinces.
Ontario
Tax: 13% HST. Ontario is Canada's largest dining market, and tipping expectations run high in Toronto especially. A quick trick: in Ontario, doubling the HST (13% × 2 = 26%) gives you a very generous tip. For a standard 15% tip, just add a couple of dollars to the HST amount shown on your receipt.
In smaller Ontario cities and towns, 15% remains the comfortable norm. Toronto and Ottawa diners tend to tip 18-20%.
Quebec
Tax: 5% GST + 9.975% QST = ~15%. Quebec has the simplest tipping shortcut in Canada. Because the combined taxes equal roughly 15%, you can simply match the tax amount on your receipt and you have a perfect standard tip. This "match the tax" method is widely known among Quebecers.
Montreal's restaurant scene is world-class, and service industry workers expect tips in the 15-18% range. In Quebec, the legal minimum wage for tipped employees is lower than the general minimum, making tips an essential part of server income.
British Columbia
Tax: 5% GST + 7% PST = 12%. Vancouver is one of Canada's most expensive cities for dining, and tipping expectations reflect that. In Vancouver, 18-20% is common, while elsewhere in BC, 15% remains standard.
BC eliminated its lower minimum wage for liquor servers in 2021, so servers now earn the full provincial minimum wage ($17.40/hr in 2026). Despite this, tipping expectations have not decreased.
Alberta
Tax: 5% GST only (no provincial sales tax). Alberta's low tax rate means the tax-doubling shortcut gives you only a 10% tip, which is below standard. You will need to calculate your tip separately. Alberta has no separate minimum wage for servers, so all workers earn the general minimum wage ($15.00/hr).
Calgary and Edmonton tipping norms align with the national 15-20% range for restaurants.
Atlantic Provinces (NS, NB, PEI, NL)
Tax: 15% HST across all four provinces. Like Quebec, doubling the HST in the Atlantic provinces gives you a 30% tip (too high), but the HST amount itself is exactly 15%, making it a convenient reference. Tipping culture in the Maritimes is warm but slightly more relaxed than in major urban centres. 15% is the solid standard, with 18% for good service.
Prairies (Saskatchewan & Manitoba)
Tax: Saskatchewan has 5% GST + 6% PST = 11%. Manitoba has 5% GST + 7% RST = 12%. Tipping norms in the Prairies follow the national standard of 15-20%. These provinces have a cost of living lower than Toronto or Vancouver, and dining prices reflect that, but tip percentages remain consistent.
How Much Should You Tip for Delivery and Takeout in Canada?
Food delivery tipping has evolved significantly with the rise of apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip The Dishes. Here are the current norms:
Food Delivery
Standard: 10-15% of the order total, with a minimum of $3-5 for small orders.
Tip more (15-20%) for large orders, bad weather deliveries, or if the driver had to climb multiple flights of stairs. Most delivery apps let you adjust the tip after delivery if the service was particularly good or poor.
Takeout / Pickup
Standard: $0 (optional), though $1-3 or 10% is a kind gesture.
Tipping for takeout was uncommon before COVID but digital terminals now prompt for it. There is no obligation to tip when you are picking up food yourself, though a small tip for large or complex orders is appreciated.
What Is the Proper Tip for Hair Salons, Spas, and Hotels?
Hair Salons and Barbers
Tip 15-20% for haircuts, colouring, and styling. If multiple people work on your hair (e.g., a colourist and a stylist), you can split the tip between them. For a simple barber trim, $5-10 is common if the cut costs $20-30. For salon services in the $100-200+ range, the percentage-based approach applies.
If the salon owner is the one cutting your hair, tipping is optional by traditional etiquette, though many Canadians tip the owner the same as any other stylist.
Spas and Massage Therapy
Tip 15-20% for spa services including massages, facials, and nail treatments. Note that registered massage therapy (RMT) covered by health insurance is a grey area. Some people do not tip for medical-style RMT treatments, while others tip 10-15%. For spa-setting massages booked for relaxation, tipping is expected.
Hotels
Hotel tipping in Canada follows flat-rate rather than percentage-based norms:
- •Housekeeping: $2-5 per night, left on the pillow or nightstand with a note. Many guests forget this one, but housekeepers work hard and tips make a real difference.
- •Bellhop: $2-3 per bag. More for heavy or oversized luggage.
- •Concierge: $5-20 depending on the complexity of the request (restaurant reservations, show tickets, tour bookings).
- •Valet parking: $3-5 each time your car is retrieved.
- •Room service: Check if a gratuity is already included in the bill. If not, 15-18% is standard.
How Much Do You Tip Taxi Drivers and Rideshare in Canada?
For taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, 10-15% is the standard tip in Canada. Round up to the nearest dollar for short rides. For longer rides or airport trips with luggage assistance, 15-20% is appropriate.
With rideshare apps, you can tip through the app after the ride. Many riders tip $2-5 for standard city rides. For a $30 airport run with luggage help, $5-6 (about 18%) is a solid tip.
How Has Tipping Changed in Canada Since COVID?
The pandemic permanently reshaped tipping culture in Canada. The shift to digital payments and contactless transactions brought tip prompts to businesses that never asked for tips before. This phenomenon, known as "tip creep" or "tipflation," has become one of the most discussed consumer topics in the country.
Key Changes Since 2020
- •Higher default prompts: Payment terminals now commonly suggest 18%, 20%, and 25% as starting options, up from the pre-COVID standard of 15%, 18%, and 20%. Some terminals start at 20%.
- •Tips where none existed before: Self-serve frozen yogurt shops, retail clothing stores, and auto repair counters now display tip prompts. Before 2020, these businesses never expected tips.
- •Social pressure at the terminal: The "tip screen turn" where the cashier turns the payment terminal toward you while watching creates awkward pressure that many Canadians resent. A 2024 Angus Reid survey found 59% of Canadians feel pressured by tip prompts.
- •Post-tax calculation by default: Most modern terminals calculate tip percentages on the post-tax total, quietly inflating the actual tip percentage by 5-15% depending on the province.
When Is It Okay to Skip the Tip?
Despite the proliferation of tip prompts, tipping remains optional for counter-service businesses where you are not receiving table service. Here are situations where declining to tip (pressing "No Tip" or "Other" and entering $0) is perfectly acceptable:
- •Counter-service coffee shops and bakeries (you walk up and order)
- •Fast food and fast-casual restaurants where you order at the counter
- •Retail stores, even if the payment terminal prompts for a tip
- •Self-serve establishments (buffets without table service, frozen yogurt, etc.)
- •Takeout pickup where you are simply collecting a bag
There is no shame in pressing "No Tip" at a counter-service establishment. The terminal prompts are set by the payment processor or business owner, not by the employee serving you.
Not Sure What to Tip? Let the Calculator Do the Work
Enter your bill, pick your province, and choose a service type. Our calculator handles the pre-tax math so you can tip with confidence.
Calculate Your Tip Now →Tipping Tips for Newcomers and Visitors to Canada
If you are visiting Canada or are a newcomer from a country where tipping is not customary, here is what you need to know:
Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping in Canada
How much should you tip at a restaurant in Canada?
The standard restaurant tip in Canada is 15-20% of the pre-tax bill. For average service, 15% is perfectly acceptable. For great service, 18-20% is customary. Tipping above 20% is reserved for truly exceptional experiences. Always calculate your tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total after HST/GST/PST.
Should you tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount in Canada?
Etiquette experts and most Canadians agree you should tip on the pre-tax amount. Sales taxes like HST, GST, and PST are government charges, not part of the service you received. However, many payment terminals default to calculating the tip on the post-tax total, so double-check before tapping.
Is tipping mandatory in Canada?
Tipping is not legally required in Canada, but it is a deeply ingrained cultural expectation for table-service restaurants, hair salons, taxis, and food delivery. Servers and other tipped workers often earn minimum wage (or close to it) and depend on tips as a significant portion of their income. Not tipping for sit-down restaurant service is considered rude.
How much do you tip for food delivery in Canada?
The standard tip for food delivery in Canada is 10-15% of the order total, with a minimum of $3-5 for small orders. For deliveries in bad weather, to hard-to-reach locations, or for large orders, tipping 15-20% is appreciated. Most delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip The Dishes prompt you to tip before or after delivery.
Do tipping customs differ between Canadian provinces?
Tipping rates are fairly consistent across Canada at 15-20% for restaurants, but there are some regional differences. Quebec has a quick calculation trick since the combined GST+QST is roughly 15%, so you can simply match your tax amount. In provinces with lower taxes like Alberta (5% GST only), the tax-doubling shortcut does not work as well. Tipping culture in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver tends to skew slightly higher than in rural areas.
Has tipping in Canada changed since COVID?
Yes. Post-COVID, digital payment terminals now frequently prompt tips of 18%, 20%, or even 25% for services that rarely expected tips before, such as counter-service coffee shops, fast food, and retail stores. This phenomenon is called "tip creep" or "tipflation." Many Canadians feel pressured by these prompts. For counter service where you are not being waited on, tipping remains optional.
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Our free tip calculator accounts for provincial tax rates so you always tip on the pre-tax amount. Works for restaurants, delivery, salons, and more.
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