We recommend tipping a Seattle taxi driver 15–20% of the metered fare.
Do you tip a taxi driver in Seattle?
Yes. We recommend a tip on every metered taxi ride in Seattle.
How much to tip a taxi driver in Seattle
Use 15% when the ride was a plain trip from one door to another. Use 20% when the driver loads bags, waits while you step inside, or works through heavy rain or a steep route. Both ends are the same rule. Seattle does not get a second percentage.
Total fare before tip
Base tip percentage before adjustments
Quick presets
Tip Amount
$4.50
Total
$29.50
Effective tip
18%
The calculator starts at 18%, which sits inside 15–20%. Leave Luggage on None and Traffic Conditions on Normal, because the other settings change the rate. Some luggage multiplies the tip by 1.05, heavy luggage by 1.15, light traffic by 0.95, and heavy traffic by 1.10. Enter the metered fare. The figures below are examples for the math only. They are not Seattle rates.
| Example fare | Tip at 15% | Tip at 18% | Tip at 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $12 | $1.80 | $2.16 | $2.40 |
| $25 | $3.75 | $4.50 | $5.00 |
| $40 | $6.00 | $7.20 | $8.00 |
| $60 | $9.00 | $10.80 | $12.00 |
On a $25 fare the calculator shows a $4.50 tip at 18%, and $29.50 with the tip included.
What to calculate the tip on
Tip on the metered fare. If the meter shows a total that already mixes in a toll or an airport fee, and you can see those lines, leave them out of the tip and use the ride charge. If the receipt does not split them, tip on the amount you were charged for the ride and do not invent a second base.
This page covers Seattle taxis. For the same percentage on any other metered cab, use how much to tip a taxi driver. For Uber and Lyft, use How much to tip an Uber driver.
Airport pickups and upfront fares in Seattle
King County and the City of Seattle set a $20 minimum fare for any taxi trip that starts at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, not counting fees, surcharges or tolls. Their joint rule also says an upfront fare on a hailed trip is the final charge, and that it excludes tips. (King County and City of Seattle: Fares and Rates for Taxicabs and For-Hire Vehicles, effective August 6, 2025, checked October 24, 2026) Tip 15–20% of the fare you were charged, including the $20 minimum when it applies. Add it on top of an upfront fare.
Cash or card
Pay the tip the way the cab lets you.
- Cash: hand the driver the fare plus the tip, or hand the tip after the card charge for the fare.
- Card: pick a percentage on the reader, or type the dollar amount. 15%, 18%, and 20% are all inside our range. 18% is the middle we use on the calculator.
Carry a few small bills if you want the tip in cash. Say thanks when you pay. A short ride in the rain still uses 15–20%. It does not switch to a flat dollar rule.
When to use 15% or 20% in Seattle
Move toward 20% when the driver:
- loads or unloads bags
- makes an extra stop you asked for
- takes a careful route in heavy rain
- drives a steep trip without rushing the car
Stay at 15% for a direct ride with no extras. We do not recommend a tip when the driver is rude or takes a route you did not agree to. Say what went wrong before you get out, so the driver can answer.
The same calculator is on the travel hub.