UK Taxi Tipping Calculator: How Much to Tip in Pounds
British taxi-tipping is gentler than American. The norm is to round up to the nearest pound, with roughly ten per cent for a long, helpful ride. Type your fare and we'll show what locals actually leave.
Round-up tip. A small, polite gesture.
How British tipping actually works
UK taxi drivers are not paid below minimum wage; tips here are a thank-you rather than a wage top-up. We see three live conventions among Londoners:
- Round up to the next pound for any short fare under £15.
- Add 10 per cent on a longer journey above £20, or whenever the driver does the proper Knowledge-style routing.
- 10 to 15 per cent for airport runs, late-night assistance, or wheelchair-accessible help.
American-style 18 to 22 per cent is not expected and many drivers will look surprised if you insist. The card terminal in TfL-licensed black cabs offers 10, 15, and 20 per cent prompts plus a custom button — using custom and entering a few pence to round up is normal.
Cash or card?
Both are fine. Many drivers prefer cash tips because the card terminal occasionally pools the tip into the company. If you have coins, dropping the change on the tray is enough.