How much to tip a waiter in Italy?
Many Italian restaurants charge a 'coperto' cover charge, so extra tipping is modest and optional.
Tipping a waiter in Italy: the local custom
When dining out in Italy, the guidance for restaurant service is: round up (coperto often charged). Tip in cash in euro (EUR) where you can, and always check whether a service charge has already been added before you decide.
Example: a €50.00 bill in Italy
If you decide to tip around the local level, use the calculator below in EUR. Remember to check the bill first — a service charge may already be included, in which case an extra tip is optional.
Tip calculator (EUR)
Italy vs the US
In the US, a waiter is typically tipped 18%. In Italy, the custom is round up (coperto often charged) — so if you are visiting from the US, expect to tip less than you would at home. For the full picture across every venue, see the Italy tipping guide.
- Tipping in Italy — restaurants, taxis, hotels and bars
- How much to tip a waiter — the US standard and calculator
- Compare tipping in all 53 countries
Reviewed 2026-08-10. Customs vary by venue and region; check the bill before tipping.