United States
Money in United States: currency, ATMs, cards and tipping
The currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Pay by card or phone almost everywhere and carry US$20–40 in small bills for tips, tip jars and the odd cash-only counter. Shelf prices exclude sales tax (0–10%+ by state and city), and restaurant bills add a tip of 18–22% on top.
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GuideUnited States
Key facts
- Currency
- US dollar (USD, $); 100 cents to the dollar
- Cards and phone payments
- Accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and market stalls
- Cash you actually need
- US$20–40 in US$1, 5 and 10 bills for tips and small vendors
- Sales tax
- Added at the till, 0–10%+ depending on state and city; not shown on shelf prices
- Restaurant tip
- 18–22% of the pre-tax bill, added on top of tax
- Hotel extras
- Resort or destination fees and parking are often added to the room rate
- ATM feescheck
- Out-of-network withdrawals commonly cost US$2.50–5 plus your own bank's fee — check
- Tipping on card
- Normal; the tip line on the receipt or terminal is added before you pay
By purse, month and cost type
The table below is the quick version: what changes for your card, your cash and your timing. Everything is a 2026 estimate and per person unless stated.
| Situation | What to carry or expect | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| US or Canadian card | Card or phone for almost everything | Some terminals ask for a ZIP code; foreign cards may be declined at fuel pumps — pay inside |
| UK, EU, AU, NZ card | Contactless card or phone; a backup card | Your bank may add a foreign transaction fee of 1–3% — check |
| Cash-only traveller | US$20–40 in small bills per day | Many places cannot break a US$100 note early in the day |
| First 24 hours | US$40–60 in cash until you find an ATM | Airport exchange desks usually give a poor rate |
| Restaurant meal | Card, plus 18–22% tip | Tip is calculated on the pre-tax amount, not the total |
| Hotel stay | Card for the room, cash for housekeeping | Resort or destination fee and parking are often added at checkout |
| Tax-free state (e.g. Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware) | Same as anywhere else | No sales tax at the till, but tips are unchanged |
| High-tax city (e.g. New York City, Chicago) | Budget 8–10%+ on top of shelf prices | Tax applies to meals, drinks and most goods |
Sales-tax rates and ATM fees change; confirm locally. 2026 estimate.
Step by step
Get a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees before you fly, and tell your bank you are travelling. Two cards from different networks (Visa and Mastercard, for example) cover you if one is blocked. A phone wallet works at most terminals and is the fastest option at cafés and transit gates.
Withdraw cash from a bank ATM rather than a standalone machine in a shop or bar. Bank ATMs at branches and in supermarkets give better rates and lower fees. Decline the machine's own conversion offer and let your bank do the conversion; the machine's rate is usually worse. Take US$100–200 out at a time, in mixed bills, and keep small notes for tips.
At the till, expect tax to be added after the price you saw on the shelf. A US$10 menu item in a city with 9% tax and an 18% tip costs about US$12.70. On a card terminal, the tip screen often appears before you pay; choose a percentage or enter your own. On a paper receipt, write the tip on the tip line and the new total on the total line.
For hotels, read the total before booking: resort or destination fees, parking and sometimes a separate housekeeping charge can add US$30–80 a night in big cities. For rental cars, insurance and fuel are separate from the quoted rate. For national parks, entry is per vehicle and a non-resident surcharge applies at some parks — check before you go.
- Carry two cards from different networks plus a little cash.
- Use bank ATMs, decline the machine's conversion, and take mixed bills.
- Add sales tax and tip to every restaurant price you see.
- Check hotel totals for resort fees and parking before booking.
Notes
Tipping is the part that trips up most visitors. Sit-down restaurants: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill. Bars: US$1–2 per drink or 18–20% on a tab. Coffee counters and takeaway: a tip jar or a screen prompt, US$1 or 10–15% is fine. Taxis and ride-hailing: 15–20%. Hotel housekeeping: US$2–5 a night. Bellhops: US$2–3 a bag. Tour guides: US$5–10 for a half day. These are conventions, not law, and service charges are rarely included.
Cash is not required for most spending, but it is useful for tips, small vendors, farmers' markets and some food trucks. Keep a few US$1 and US$5 bills. If you pay a tip on a card, it is added before the payment is finalised, so check the total on the screen.
Sales tax is set by state and city, so the same item costs different amounts a short drive apart. Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire and Delaware have no state sales tax; New York City and Chicago are among the higher totals once city tax is added. Prices on menus and shelves are always shown before tax.
Sources and checked date
Currency, card acceptance, sales-tax treatment and tipping ranges follow the site's United States country facts and are marked as 2026 estimates. ATM fees, individual state and city tax rates, and park surcharges change; confirm locally before you rely on a figure.
Questions people ask
What currency is used in United States?
The US dollar (USD, $), divided into 100 cents. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry US$20–40 in small bills for tips and small vendors.
Should I use cash or a card in United States?
Use a card or phone for almost everything, including taxis and market stalls. Keep a little cash for tips, tip jars and the occasional cash-only counter. Withdraw from bank ATMs, not shop machines.
How much should I tip in United States?
Sit-down restaurants 18–22% of the pre-tax bill; bars US$1–2 a drink or 18–20% on a tab; taxis and ride-hailing 15–20%; housekeeping US$2–5 a night; bellhops US$2–3 a bag. These are conventions, not law.
Are prices in United States shown with tax?
No. Shelf and menu prices exclude sales tax, which is added at the till and varies by state and city, from 0% in Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire and Delaware to 10%+ in some cities.
Can I use a foreign card in United States?
Yes, at almost all terminals. Some machines ask for a ZIP code, and fuel pumps may decline foreign cards, so pay inside. Your bank may add a 1–3% foreign transaction fee — check.
Do hotels add fees on top of the room rate?
Often. Resort or destination fees, parking and sometimes housekeeping charges are added at checkout, commonly US$30–80 a night in big cities. Read the total before booking.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check