The Etiquette of Tipping for a Massage: When and How Much

• Show appreciation to your massage therapist with a 15–20% tip for their services. Consider giving more if you're exceptionally pleased with your massage.
• Even if your experience wasn't perfect, leave a 15% tip and communicate any concerns to your massage therapist for improvement.
• If tipping isn't feasible, express gratitude to your massage therapist and recommend them to friends or family. Alternatively, if you have a close relationship with the masseuse, consider a small token of appreciation.

15–20% If you're satisfied with your massage therapist's work, a tip of approximately 15% is customary in massage parlors. Exceptional service deserving of a more generous tip can warrant up to 20%. Whether you attended alone or for a couples massage, the tipping range typically remains consistent. While these are standard guidelines, don't hesitate to tip a bit extra if you're feeling particularly appreciative.

• Even if you received a discount or a complimentary massage, still consider tipping 15–20% of the original service price.
• To easily calculate your tip, move the decimal point one place to the left from the full price of the massage to determine 10%. Then, double this amount for a 20% tip. For instance, if your bill was $100 USD, 10% would be $10 USD, and 20% would be $20 USD.
• Alternatively, consider tipping approximately $5–10 USD per every 30-minute segment of your massage.

Massage therapists typically receive a small fraction of the total payment. Whether they work independently or at a spa, massage therapists often only receive a portion of the original service fee. Tipping allows them to retain more of the money for themselves, demonstrating appreciation for their dedicated effort during the session.

Consider tipping around 15% even if you're not entirely satisfied with your massage. If your massage therapist applied incorrect pressure, was slightly tardy, or behaved impolitely, it's still courteous to leave a tip on the lower end of the spectrum.

• If something during the massage isn't comfortable, inform your therapist immediately so they can make adjustments. After the session, provide feedback on what changes you'd like for future visits.
• If you're uncomfortable discussing issues directly with your therapist, address them with a staff member at the reception desk.

Show gratitude to your massage therapist. If tipping for an expensive massage isn't feasible, express your appreciation for your therapist's hard work. Let them know you're highly satisfied with the service and intend to return for future sessions.

• Consider sending a thank-you card with a brief, heartfelt message to further demonstrate your appreciation.
• When scheduling your massage, allocate funds for the tip upfront to ensure it's accounted for.

Recommend your massage therapist to others. If you're exceptionally pleased with your massage experience, spread the word to friends and family, encouraging them to visit the same spa or therapist. For broader outreach, leave a glowing 5-star Google review detailing what made your massage outstanding. Even if a tip wasn't feasible, your therapist will value the influx of new clients you bring their way.

Present a small gift during your next visit. If you've developed a friendly rapport with your massage therapist over time and are unable to tip immediately, offering a gift during your next session is a thoughtful gesture. Consider gifting flowers, candles, a fruit basket, or a houseplant.

• Avoid gifting on your first visit to avoid potential awkwardness.

Forego tipping if you're receiving massage therapy for medical purposes. While it's customary to tip massage therapists at spas or those working independently, it's less expected in clinical or rehabilitation settings. Since the therapist's role is to aid in your recovery from injury or surgery, tipping is typically not anticipated.

Respect a no-tipping policy or included gratuity. Some spas or resorts may already include gratuities in the massage price. Alternatively, certain establishments may have explicit no-tipping policies, especially if they offer all-inclusive pricing or employ student therapists. When preparing for your massage, review the establishment's tipping policy to determine whether tipping is encouraged.

• If you're uncertain about the tipping protocol at your massage venue, don't hesitate to inquire with your massage therapist about standard tipping practices. If you're uncomfortable asking in person, consider phoning ahead to clarify.