Washington Ranks Among the Lowest Tipping States in the Country

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I always tip for service, whether it's good, mediocre, or bad. Yes, even when service is poor, I do tip.

However, according to recent research from the restaurant app Toast, Washington customers are among THE WORST tippers in the nation.

Toast Analyzed Transactions From 171-Thousand Locations

The average restaurant tip at Toast restaurants in the U.S. is 19.3% at full-service restaurants (FSRs) and 15.8% at quick-service restaurants (QSRs) as of Q1 2026.

Read More: WA's Most Beloved Raccoon Gets His Own Night With the Mariners

The average tip at full-service restaurants in Washington was at 17.8%. That's just barely above Washington D.C. (17.5%), and California (17.3%).

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Where Are the Best Tippers in the Nation?

On the other end of the spectrum, Delaware comes in as the best with the highest average tip at 22.1%, followed by West Virginia (21.0%), and New Hampshire (20.9%).

Acording to Toast, How Customers Receive Their Food Affects the Tip Amount Given

• Dine-in service = Highest tipping rates
• Take-out orders = Moderate tipping rates
• Delivery orders = Lower tipping rates than dine-in

This pattern suggests that the level of personal service and interaction directly correlates with tipping behavior in restaurant settings.

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The average tip percentage for eating out is 15% to 20%.