You order dinner online, drive to the restaurant, walk inside, grab a bag from the counter, and suddenly the payment screen is asking whether you’d like to tip 18%, 20%, or 25%. If you’ve wondered whether hitting “no tip” makes you a terrible customer, you’re far from alone. A Pew Research Center survey found 72% of Americans believed tipping was expected in more places than five years earlier, while 40% opposed businesses suggesting tip amounts on checkout screens. New 2026 restaurant data provide some clarity: Americans who tip on takeout generally leave considerably less than they do for table service. Here is what every person needs to know about tipping on takeout orders.
