Automation changes tipping habits; California posts nation’s lowest average
The average tip left at U.S. restaurants has fallen below 20%, signaling a shift in consumer behavior as diners become more selective about when—and how much—they tip.
According to a recent report by restaurant technology platform Toast, the average tip at U.S. restaurants was 18.8% during the first quarter of 2026. After rising during the COVID-19 pandemic, tipping rates have gradually declined since 2023 and have now stabilized at just under 19%.
Tipping varied significantly by service type. Full-service restaurants, where servers provide table service, received an average tip of 19.3%. Quick-service restaurants, where customers order at a counter or kiosk, averaged 15.8%, while takeout orders received the lowest average tip at 13.7%.
Toast said customers continue to reward personal service but are less likely to tip generously when ordering through self-service kiosks or other automated systems.
Delaware recorded the highest average tipping rate at 22.1%, followed by West Virginia (21.0%), New Hampshire (20.9%), Indiana, Ohio and Wyoming (20.7%), and Kentucky (20.6%).
California ranked last among all states, with an average tipping rate of 17.3%. Other states at the bottom of the list included the District of Columbia (17.5%), Washington (17.8%), Nevada (18.2%), Florida (18.3%), and Louisiana (18.5%). New York, New Jersey and Mississippi each posted an average tipping rate of 18.7%.
The findings are based on digital and credit card transactions from approximately 171,000 restaurants across the United States. Cash tips were not included in the analysis.
Industry experts say tipping increased sharply during the pandemic as customers sought to support restaurant workers. However, persistent inflation and growing “tip fatigue” have prompted many diners to scale back gratuities and return to more traditional tipping habits.
