Restaurant tip calculator (service compris)

French restaurant service is included by law. So why is there sometimes a "pourboire" line on the receipt, and why do waiters sometimes seem to expect more? This calculator tells you when to tip, when to leave nothing, and when the receipt itself is asking for something.

Bill amount (€)

Receipt type

Venue type

Service quality

Card vs cash

What this tool actually solves

In France, "service compris" is mandatory by law — the tip is included in the price of the meal. Leaving more is welcome but not required. The confusion comes from three sources:

The "pourboire" line: a leftover habit, where the bill suggests "leave a tip". It is not a charge. If you don't leave one, nothing happens.
The "service compris" vs "service non compris" distinction: only high-end restaurants can legally put "service non compris", and even then the law requires the tip to be optional and clearly flagged. Almost all bills show service compris.
Brasserie vs Michelin: brasseries are not Michelin — the staff is on a normal wage, tips are welcome but not life-changing for them. Michelin-starred waiters may rely on tips for 30–40% of their income, like in the US.

How to read the result

Three numbers: minimum (round up to the nearest euro or two, or leave nothing), typical (what most French diners leave), generous (special-occasion or Michelin). The "what to say to the waiter" line tells you how to phrase it at the table.

Limitations

Tipping norms evolve. In 2025–2026, the "arrondir la note" (round up) pattern is still dominant in casual venues; "5–10%" is creeping in at Michelin-starred restaurants. In Paris and Lyon, the brasserie-tip floor is creeping up to €1 per person from €0.50.

FAQ

If I don't leave anything, do I look cheap?

No. "Service compris" means the service is already paid for. Not leaving a tip is normal and not interpreted as a complaint. If you want to signal "the service was good", leaving €2–€5 on a €60 bill is plenty.

What about the café "1€ par consommation" rule?

Cafés in France do not require a 1€ tip per consumption. They may have a small tip jar on the counter for "la pièce" (the loose change). If you pay by card, the jar is usually ignored. If you pay in cash and have a 5c coin, dropping it in is a polite gesture, not a norm.

About

1 of 38 tools in France Trip Toolkit. Independent of the hospitality industry.

Privacy

No tracking.

Disclaimer

Estimate only. Tipping norms evolve. Use your judgment in the moment.