Free tool
Singapore Tipping, Service Charge & GST Calculator
Type the menu prices. We'll add the service charge and 9% GST the way the bill will, add a tip only if you want to, and split it.
Tipping isn't customary in Singapore. Most restaurants add a service charge (typically 10%) and then 9% GST on the total, shown as "++" on the menu, so a S$100 meal comes to S$119.90. The Singapore Tourism Board says a tip is welcome for good service, but nobody expects one.
Tipping in Singapore, briefly
- Restaurants: a service charge (typically 10%) is usually on the bill, with 9% GST on top. No tip needed.
- Hawker centres: no tip.
- Anywhere else: tipping isn't customary, but the Singapore Tourism Board encourages it for good service.
Hungry? Start with our best hawker centres and best restaurants in Singapore.
Frequently asked questions
Do you tip in Singapore?
It isn't customary. The Singapore Tourism Board says tipping is not customary, but if you've had good service you're encouraged to tip. Most sit-down restaurants already add a service charge, so at those there's no need to leave more.
What does ++ mean on a Singapore menu?
It means the prices shown don't yet include the service charge or GST. Singapore normally requires GST-inclusive prices, but restaurants and hotels that add a service charge may show GST-exclusive prices if they say clearly that prices are subject to GST and service charge. The service charge is typically 10%, and the 9% GST is then charged on the total including the service charge.
How is GST calculated on a restaurant bill?
On the food and drink plus the service charge. IRAS's own example: a S$100 meal plus a 10% service charge (S$10) gives S$110, and 9% GST on that is S$9.90, so you pay S$119.90.
Do you tip at hawker centres?
No. Tipping isn't customary in Singapore, and that includes hawker stalls. Our hawker guides list the stalls worth queuing for.
Can tourists get the GST back?
On shopping, yes. The Singapore Tourism Board says tourists can claim a refund of the 9% GST if they spend more than S$100 at participating shops. It applies to purchases at those shops.
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.
- Visit Singapore (Singapore Tourism Board) — Essential travel information — tipping is not customary but encouraged for good service; 9% GST refund for tourists spending over S$100 at participating shops
- IRAS — Hotel and food & beverage (GST) — service charge typically 10% and subject to GST; GST on the total incl. service charge; the S$119.90 example; GST-exclusive price display concession
- IRAS — Current GST rates — 9% GST
Related guides
- The 12 Best Hawker Centres in Singapore
- The 12 Best Restaurants in Singapore
- The 9 Best Chilli Crab Restaurants in Singapore
- The 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Singapore
- The 10 Best Michelin-Listed Hawker Stalls in Singapore
- The 8 Best Buffets in Singapore
- The 4 Best Kosher Restaurants in Singapore
- The 11 Best Rooftop Bars in Singapore
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