Free tool
LA Tip & Sales Tax Calculator
Pick the city you're eating in and type the bill. Get the sales tax, a fair tip and each person's share in one go.
Restaurant meals in the City of Los Angeles carry 10.25% sales tax (since October 1, 2026), and the customary tip is 15 to 20% of the bill before tax. On a $100 dinner that is $10.25 tax and a $15 to $20 tip, so about $125 to $130 in total. Santa Monica and Culver City charge 11.25%.
Tipping in Los Angeles, briefly
- Restaurants: 15–20% is customary. A gratuity is only included if the check says so.
- Taxis: 15–20% of the fare — see the Metro, LAX and taxi fare calculator.
- Luggage handlers: $1–$2 per bag.
- Valets and parking attendants: $1–$2.
- Hotel housekeeping: $1–$2 a day, or $5–$10 a week.
Those are Discover Los Angeles's guidelines. Hotel rooms aren't charged sales tax, but rooms in the City of Los Angeles carry a 14% transient occupancy tax.
Looking for somewhere worth tipping well? Start with our best restaurants in LA and every other guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax on a restaurant meal in Los Angeles?
In the City of Los Angeles it is 10.25% from October 1, 2026, when Los Angeles County's district tax went up half a point; it was 9.75% before, which is why older guides still quote that. Several neighboring cities charge more: 11.25% in Santa Monica and Culver City, and 11% in West Hollywood, Pasadena and Long Beach. Beverly Hills is 10.25%.
How much should I tip at a restaurant in LA?
Discover Los Angeles, the city's official tourism board, says tipping is voluntary but 15 to 20% is customary for restaurant service, and the same for taxis. A gratuity is not added to the bill unless the check says so. Most diners work out the tip on the bill before tax.
Do restaurant servers in California get paid minimum wage?
Yes. California does not let employers count tips toward the minimum wage, so servers earn at least the full minimum wage before tips. The tip is still a customary part of their pay in LA, and Discover Los Angeles puts the norm at 15 to 20%.
Some LA restaurants add a service charge. Do I still tip?
Read the menu and the bill. California lets restaurants and bars charge a mandatory fee on top of menu prices as long as it is clearly and conspicuously shown wherever prices are shown. A service charge is not necessarily a tip for your server, so ask if it isn't clear. If the bill already includes a gratuity, you don't need to add another full tip.
How much do you tip hotel staff, valets and porters in LA?
Discover Los Angeles suggests $1 to $2 per bag for luggage handlers, $1 to $2 for valets and parking attendants, and $1 to $2 a day or $5 to $10 a week for housekeeping.
Sources and how current this is
Every fare, rate and norm on this page comes from the official source below and was checked in November 2026. Operators change prices, so check the source before you rely on a number.
- CDTFA — California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates — every city's rate above, effective October 1, 2026
- CDTFA — Special Notice L-1037 (August 2026) — Los Angeles County's rate change from 9.75% to 10.25% on October 1, 2026
- Discover Los Angeles — Smart travel tips — 15–20% tip norm for restaurants and taxis; porters, valets and housekeeping; 14% hotel tax
- California Labor Commissioner — Minimum wage FAQ — employers may not count tips toward the minimum wage
- California Attorney General — Hidden fees (SB 478) — restaurants and bars may add a mandatory fee if it is clearly shown wherever prices are shown
Related guides
- The 10 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles
- The 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Los Angeles
- The 9 Best Date Night Restaurants in Los Angeles
- The 10 Best Cheap Eats in Los Angeles
- The 8 Best Taco Spots in Los Angeles
- The 10 Best Brunch Spots in Los Angeles
- The 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles
- The 8 Best Kosher Restaurants in Los Angeles
Now find somewhere worth the tip
Hand-picked guides to LA's best restaurants, tacos, Korean BBQ and kosher dining.
Browse every guide