# Nail Salon Tip Calculator

> How much to tip at a nail salon: 15–20% of the manicure or pedicure price. Use the nail salon tip calculator to split between nail techs and see the exact cash.

Use it free at https://k4converter.com/how-much-to-tip-nail-salon. Runs entirely in your browser.

## How Much Do You Tip at a Nail Salon?

The Emily Post Institute general tipping guide (checked October 2026) puts the tip for a manicurist at **15–20%** of the service, and the same applies to pedicures, gel and acrylic sets. **20% is the most common choice** for good work. Tip on the price before tax and on the full price even if you used a coupon or package deal.
Nail salon tip chart
| Service price | 15% | 18% | 20% | 25% || $20.00 | $3.00 | $3.60 | $4.00 | $5.00 || $25.00 | $3.75 | $4.50 | $5.00 | $6.25 || $30.00 | $4.50 | $5.40 | $6.00 | $7.50 || $35.00 | $5.25 | $6.30 | $7.00 | $8.75 || $40.00 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 | $10.00 || $45.00 | $6.75 | $8.10 | $9.00 | $11.25 || $50.00 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 | $12.50 || $60.00 | $9.00 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $15.00 || $70.00 | $10.50 | $12.60 | $14.00 | $17.50 || $80.00 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 | $20.00 || $100.00 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |

## How Much to Tip for a Pedicure

A pedicure is tipped like any salon service: **15–20%**. On a $45 pedicure that's **$7–9**; on a $70 spa pedicure, **$10.50–14**. Tip at the higher end for long massages, callus work or extra time.

## How Much to Tip for a Manicure, Gel or Acrylic Nails

The same 15–20% applies. A $30 manicure is **$4.50–6**; a $60 acrylic full set is **$9–12**. Nail art and add-ons are part of the service, so include them in the price you tip on.

## Why Some Sites Say 10–20%

You may see "10–20%" quoted (for example by NerdWallet, citing an etiquette expert who uses 10% for adequate, 15% for great and 20% for exceptional service). Etiquette guides such as the Emily Post Institute use 15–20% as the standard, and that's what we recommend: treat 10% as the floor for service you weren't happy with.

## Two Nail Techs? How to Split the Tip

If one technician did your manicure and another your pedicure, tip each on their own service, or set *Split between* to 2 and the calculator divides the tip evenly, rounded to whole dollars for cash.

## Cash or Card at the Nail Salon?

Many nail salons prefer cash tips: they go straight to your technician, and some salons pass card processing fees on to staff. With *Round up to whole dollars* on, the calculator shows exactly which bills to leave.

## Holiday Tip for Your Nail Tech

For a technician you see regularly, the Emily Post Institute holiday tipping guide suggests up to **the cost of one salon visit** or a gift.

## More Tipping Guides

- Tip Calculator- How Much to Tip a Hairdresser- How Much to Tip a Dog Groomer

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much do you tip for a pedicure?

15–20% of the pedicure price before tax. A $45 pedicure is a $7–9 tip; a $70 spa pedicure is $10.50–14.

### How much do you tip for a manicure?

15–20%. A $30 manicure is about $4.50–6, usually rounded up to $5 or $6 in cash.

### How much do you tip for a $60 mani-pedi?

$9–12 at 15–20%. If two technicians worked on you, split it between them.

### How much do you tip for acrylic or gel nails?

The same 15–20% of the full price, including nail art and add-ons. A $60 full set is a $9–12 tip.

### Is 10% a bad tip at a nail salon?

Etiquette guides use 15–20% as the standard, so 10% reads as a sign you weren't happy with the service.

### Should you tip nail techs in cash?

Cash is often preferred because it goes straight to your technician, but a card tip is fine too.

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By Prakhar Singh, creator of K4Converter. Last updated October 2026.