Tip screens on card machines in Ontario and BC: why they ask and how to choose your own amount

The card machine at a Canadian counter now often turns toward you before you tap. It shows three or four buttons, a percentage on each, and a smaller button for "No tip" or "Custom". For visitors, and for many residents, that moment is uncomfortable. Here is what is going on and how to choose without pressure.

Why do tip screens appear at the counter?

Payment terminals made by the big providers can be set to ask for a tip before the payment is taken. Businesses turn the feature on because tips at the counter can be a real part of their staff's income. In a café or a takeout shop the tip is not expected in the way it is at a table with a server, but the screen makes it easy to give. The screen does not mean a tip is required.

Do you have to tip at the counter?

No. At a counter where you order, pay and pick up your own food, a tip is optional. Many people tip a dollar or two for a coffee order, or choose "No tip" without any trouble. For a large or complicated takeout order, such as a catering box, some people tip about 10 percent.

How much should you tip at a table with a server?

At a sit-down restaurant, 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax is the normal range in both Ontario and British Columbia. If a handheld terminal comes to your table, the screen will often show 18, 20 and 25 percent. Choose what you think the service deserves.

Is the percentage on the screen worked out before tax?

Not always. Some terminals calculate the percentage on the total including tax, which makes each button a little larger than it would be on the pre-tax amount. Quebec has a rule that suggested percentages on a terminal must be worked out on the price before tax. Quebec's rule is the one to know about. Elsewhere, check how each terminal is set up, since the business may choose how it works.

To tip on the pre-tax amount:

1. Look at the subtotal on the bill. It is the figure before GST or HST.
2. Choose "Custom".
3. Type the dollar amount you want, such as 15 percent of the subtotal.

If you are using a calculator, 15 percent is the subtotal times 0.15, and 20 percent is the subtotal times 0.20.

What is the tax on the bill?

In Ontario, 13 percent HST is added to restaurant meals. In British Columbia, 5 percent GST is added to food, and alcohol carries an extra provincial tax. These are on top of menu prices, which is why a bill is larger than the menu suggests. A rebate on part of the HST applies to some low-priced prepared food in Ontario.

Where do tips go in Ontario and BC?

In Ontario, the law says tips belong to the employees. An employer may not take them, except to share them in a pool among staff. British Columbia has its own rules for employers on gratuities and pooling. If you want to be sure your tip goes to the person who served you, tipping in cash is one option, though most staff are happy with card tips.

What if you feel pressured?

You can tap "No tip" or "Custom" at any time. A good restaurant will not comment. If a staff member makes you uncomfortable, you do not have to explain. Tipping is a custom, not a law, and everyone's budget differs.

Is a service charge the same as a tip?

No. A service charge or automatic gratuity added to a bill, often for large groups, is part of the bill. Check whether it is already on your bill before you add a tip. If a restaurant says a charge is for staff, it should be treated like a tip.

How do you tip on delivery and takeout apps?

Apps ask for a tip at checkout. It is for the driver, and the amount is up to you. Tipping on takeout you collect yourself is optional.

Do tip screens appear at bars and for takeout?

Yes. At a bar, a dollar or two per drink is common, or 15 to 20 percent on a tab. For takeout, you can usually skip the tip or leave around 10 percent for a big order. A tip screen at a takeout counter is an invitation, not a bill. If you pay at a self-serve kiosk, the same options apply.

How do you remember where service was worth a tip?

A tip screen is a quick moment, and the meal behind it is easier to judge later. In the Mosey app, rate the dish and add a line about the service, such as "server explained the specials" or "ordered at the counter, food came fast". Tags like Quick Service tell friends what to expect before they stand at the machine.

Start a list called Worth going back to and invite a friend with the link, so the two of you build a shared record of places that got both food and service right.

More guides to read next:

• Kingston, Ontario food guide: the Public Market, downtown and the Thousand Islands
• Windsor, Ontario food guide: Windsor-style pizza, Italian, Middle Eastern and Greek food
• Where to eat in Niagara Falls, Ontario: how to avoid the tourist traps (2026)

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.

After your next meal, open the Mosey app and rate the dish before you tap the machine.