Rule of thumb · FinanceNº 36 / 96

Double the tax, round up

In the US, doubling the sales tax on the receipt gives a quick tip estimate.

Why it works

US sales tax runs roughly 6–10% in most states, so doubling it lands close to the historical 15–20% tipping range — a genuinely fast mental-math shortcut, though it can undershoot the 18–20%+ baseline several 2026 etiquette guides now cite for ordinary good service.

Do it exactly

Estimate with the rule, then check it against the calculator that models it properly.

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