Short answer: Rideshare drivers in the US are usually tipped 15 to 20% of the fare, with $2 to $3 as a minimum on a short trip. With no cash on you, the options are: tip in the app, scan the driver's own code, ask whoever booked, or use a payment app.
How much to tip an Uber or Lyft driver
| Situation | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| $12 short trip | $2 to $3 |
| $45 airport run with luggage | $7 to $10 |
| Driver waits or makes an extra stop | Add a few dollars |
These are customary amounts in the United States, in US dollars. They are a guide, not a rule: tip more for exceptional service.
Do you have to tip an Uber or Lyft driver?
It is optional in the app and customary in the US. Drivers pay for their own fuel, insurance and maintenance, and they are not shown your tip until after they have rated you.
Can you tip an Uber or Lyft driver by card?
Yes, in the app. Uber and Lyft both let you tip when the ride ends and for some time afterwards from the trip receipt, and the companies state that the whole tip goes to the driver.
4 ways to tip an Uber or Lyft driver without cash
- Tip in the app. Open the trip in your ride history if you missed the prompt.
- Scan the driver's own code. Some drivers keep a QR code on the headrest. It is useful when someone else booked and paid for the ride.
- Ask whoever booked. If a friend or your employer ordered the ride, they are the only one who can tip in the app.
- Use a payment app. Drivers will give you a handle if you ask.
What a tip QR code does
If an Uber or Lyft driver shows you a QR code, point your phone camera at it. A payment page opens in your browser, you choose an amount, and you pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. You do not install anything or create an account, and it works with cards from other countries.
If you cannot tip on the day
You can add a tip later from the trip receipt, so there is rarely a reason to skip it.
Outside the United States
In the UK, Australia and Europe a rideshare tip is optional and uncommon on short trips. Rounding up in the app is typical.
Do you work as a rideshare driver?
Riders mean to tip in the app and forget once the door shuts. When a ride is booked by an employer, a hotel or a friend, the passenger in your car cannot tip you in the app at all.
See how rideshare drivers take card tips with a QR code: where to put it, what to write on the sign and how to mention it.
Common questions
How much should I tip an Uber or Lyft driver?
Rideshare drivers in the US are usually tipped 15 to 20% of the fare, with $2 to $3 as a minimum on a short trip.
Do I have to tip an Uber or Lyft driver?
It is optional in the app and customary in the US. Drivers pay for their own fuel, insurance and maintenance, and they are not shown your tip until after they have rated you.
Can I tip an Uber or Lyft driver with a card or Apple Pay?
Yes, in the app. Uber and Lyft both let you tip when the ride ends and for some time afterwards from the trip receipt, and the companies state that the whole tip goes to the driver.
What if I have no cash to tip an Uber or Lyft driver?
You can add a tip later from the trip receipt, so there is rarely a reason to skip it.