Germany Tip Calculator
In Germany round up or leave about 5 to 10 percent, and hand it to the waiter directly.
Round up and hand it overEnter your details above, then press Calculate to see the tip, total and per-person amount.
Tipping customs vary by country and change over time. These figures are estimates for planning only — always follow the local norm and check whether a service charge is already on the bill.
How tipping is done in Germany
In Germany the tip, or "Trinkgeld", is usually about 5 to 10 percent, and the key custom is how you pay it. Rather than leaving coins on the table, you tell the waiter the total you want to pay including tip — for example "make it 32 euros" on a 29 euro bill — and they bring back the small change. Handing it over directly, or rounding the spoken total, is the polite local style.
Leaving a few coins on the table is also understood, but walking away without any tip at a sit-down restaurant is considered stingy. The amount is modest compared with the US, reflecting that German service staff earn a full wage.
Rounding is the simplest approach
For a €28 bill, rounding to €30 is a perfectly normal tip of about 7 percent. For a larger €90 dinner, €95 to €100 is a kind 5 to 10 percent. The calculator shows the percentage you enter, but in practice most Germans just round the final number up rather than calculating a strict rate.
Worked example
A €28 beer-and-meal bill in Berlin, rounded to €30.
| Bill | €28.00 |
| Tip (rounded up) | €2.00 |
| Total paid | €30.00 |
Rounding to a clean number is the typical German way to tip.
Frequently asked questions
Do I leave the tip on the table in Germany?
Usually not. You either hand it to the waiter or say the higher total you want to pay, and they return the change.
How much do Germans tip?
About 5 to 10 percent, very often just by rounding the bill up to a convenient number.
Do German taxi drivers expect a tip?
Rounding up to the nearest euro is common and appreciated, similar to restaurants.
Is a strict percentage expected?
No. A rough 5 to 10 percent, or simple rounding, is the norm.