Tattoo Tip Calculator

Calculate your tattoo tip fast—fair, easy, and no guesswork.

Tool Icon Tattoo Tip Calculator

Tattoo Tip Calculator

Calculate an appropriate tip for your artist based on session cost and experience

Enter Tattoo Session Cost

Input the base price of your tattoo session

$
Enter the amount quoted by your artist (Excl. Deposit)
Calculation History:
No calculations yet
Tipping Guidelines:
15-20% Standard

The industry standard for great artistic service in the US.

Junior Artists

Consider tipping well as they are building their kits and skills.

Master Artists

If they own the shop, tipping is still appreciated for custom work.

Long Sessions

For sessions over 6 hours, consistency in tipping is valued.

Non-Cash Tips

Many artists love gifts like art supplies, coffee, or treats.

No Requirement

Tips are never mandatory but always respected in the industry.

How to Use:
  1. Enter the base session cost (excluding deposit if applicable).
  2. Select your desired tip percentage or enter a custom one.
  3. Fill in session details like duration and experience for a more detailed summary.
  4. Click Calculate Tip to see your total payout and breakdown.

About This Tool

Look, getting a tattoo isn’t just about the art—it’s about respect. You’re paying for someone’s time, skill, and the fact that they’re permanently marking your skin. So yeah, tipping matters. But how much? That’s where this calculator comes in. It’s not fancy. No ads, no pop-ups, no “premium upgrade” nonsense. Just punch in the cost of your tattoo, pick a tip percentage, and boom—you’ve got your number. Simple as that.

Key Features

  • Takes the guesswork out of tipping—no more awkward math at the counter.
  • Lets you choose tip percentages based on how you felt about the experience (standard, good, or “holy crap, that was amazing”).
  • Works for any tattoo price—small flash piece or full sleeve, doesn’t matter.
  • Instant results. No sign-up, no email, no tracking. Just open, calculate, close.
  • Mobile-friendly. Because let’s be real, you’re probably checking this while sitting in the chair or right after.

FAQ

Do I really have to tip my tattoo artist?
Short answer: yes. Long answer: absolutely. Tattoo artists are service professionals. They spend hours on your piece, deal with pain, blood, and sometimes difficult clients. A tip shows you value their craft. Skipping it? Not cool.

What’s a fair tip amount?
Most people tip 15–25%. If the artist went above and beyond—stayed late, fixed a mistake, or just made you feel comfortable—lean toward 20–25%. For a solid job with no issues, 15–18% is fine. Use the calculator, pick what feels right, and don’t stress. Just don’t stiff them.