Tattoo Tip Calculator

Calculate your tattoo tip fast—fair, simple, 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

Alright, let’s talk tattoos. You just sat through hours in the chair, maybe bled a little, definitely hurt a lot—and now you're staring at the bill. You know you should tip your artist. But how much? Is 15% enough? Should it be more? Honestly, it depends. That’s where this tattoo tip calculator comes in. It’s not fancy. It’s not trying to sell you anything. It’s just here to help you figure out a fair tip without overthinking it.

I built this because I got tired of doing math in my head while my arm was still throbbing. You shouldn’t have to stress about percentages when you’re already emotionally and physically drained from the session. This tool takes the guesswork out of it. Plug in the cost, pick a tip percentage based on how the experience went, and boom—you’ve got your number. Simple. No drama.

Key Features

  • Quick tip calculation based on tattoo cost and service quality
  • Preset percentage options (15%, 18%, 20%, 25%) so you don’t have to decide on the spot
  • Custom tip option if you want to go above and beyond (or, you know, cut it close)
  • Shows total amount including tip—because nobody wants surprises at checkout
  • Works on your phone, tablet, or laptop. No app to download, no login required
  • No tracking, no ads, no nonsense. It’s just a calculator. That’s it.

FAQ

Q: Do I really have to tip my tattoo artist?
A: Yes. Tattooing isn’t just a service—it’s art, skill, and often a deeply personal experience. Artists spend years honing their craft, and they’re working with your body. Tipping shows respect for their time, talent, and the emotional labor that goes into every piece. Think of it like tipping a bartender or hairdresser, but with more needles.

Q: What’s a good tip percentage?
A: It really depends. 15% is the bare minimum if everything was okay. 18–20% is standard for solid work and good vibes. If your artist went above and beyond—stayed late, fixed a mistake, made you laugh through the pain—25% or more is totally fair. When in doubt, err on the side of generosity. They earned it.