Delivery Tip Calculator
For DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and pizza delivery — enter your order subtotal to see a fair tip.
Written by Ricardo Castro · Last updated
Fair-pay estimate: 5% of the subtotal plus $0.50 per one-way mile, with a $4 floor. Add more for bad weather or stairs.
Two ways to size a delivery tip: a straight percentage of the subtotal, or a distance-based estimate that tracks what the trip actually costs the driver in gas and time. Switch modes above. Either way, the suggested figure never drops below the $4 minimum.
How Much to Tip Delivery Drivers
Delivery drivers for apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and independent pizza chains are typically paid a low base rate per delivery and rely on tips to make deliveries worth their time — especially for short trips or bad weather.
- 10%: Short distance, good weather, simple order
- 15%: Standard delivery, normal conditions
- 20%+: Long distance, bad weather, large or heavy order
- Minimum $3-5: Even on small orders, regardless of percentage
Important: the delivery fee and service fee shown at checkout go to the platform, not the driver. Your tip is the only amount that reaches them directly. Ordering through a specific app? Try our DoorDash tip calculator, Uber Eats tip calculator, or Instacart tip calculator for platform-specific guidance.
The Distance-Based "Fair Pay" Formula
A flat percentage under-tips long trips and over-tips short ones. Delivery drivers themselves tend to judge an order by what it pays per mile. The distance mode in the calculator above uses the model driver forums have converged on:
Tip = 5% of the subtotal + $0.50 per one-way mile, with a $4 minimum.
| Subtotal | One-way distance | Percentage tip (18%) | Distance-formula tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | 1 mile | $4.50 | $4.00 (floor) |
| $25 | 6 miles | $4.50 | $4.25 |
| $40 | 8 miles | $7.20 | $6.00 |
| $60 | 3 miles | $10.80 | $4.50 |
| $120 | 10 miles | $21.60 | $11.00 |
Use whichever is higher when the two disagree — a $60 order going three miles is still worth a proper 15–20%, and a small order going ten miles still needs to cover the driver's gas. The formula is a floor for effort, not a ceiling.
When to Tip More
- Rain, snow, extreme heat, or icy roads
- Long distances or rural addresses
- Apartment buildings without elevators, or multiple flights of stairs
- Large, heavy, or easily-spilled orders
- Holidays and major sporting events, when demand is high
For a bill that also includes sales tax, use the tax and tip calculator. Ordering for a group instead? Try the split bill calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip a delivery driver?
Tip 15-20% of the order subtotal, with a minimum of $3-5 regardless of order size. For short distances in good weather, 15% or the $3-5 minimum is fine. For long distances, bad weather, or large/heavy orders, tip 20% or more.
Do delivery fees go to the driver?
No. Delivery fees, service fees, and small-order fees charged by apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub go to the company, not the driver. Your tip is the only part of the payment that goes directly to the person delivering your food.
Should I tip more in bad weather?
Yes. Rain, snow, extreme heat, and icy roads make deliveries slower and harder. Add $2-5 on top of your normal tip when conditions are bad — many drivers prioritize orders with higher tips during storms.
What's the minimum tip for delivery?
$3-5 is the generally accepted minimum, even for small orders. Drivers are often paid a low base rate per delivery and rely on tips to make the trip worthwhile, especially for short or low-value orders.
Should I tip before or after delivery?
Both are common. Pre-tipping (in the app, before delivery) is standard and doesn't affect service quality on most platforms. If you tip in cash after delivery, hand it directly to the driver rather than leaving it at the door.
Do I tip for pickup orders through delivery apps?
Tipping for self-pickup orders placed through an app is optional but appreciated if staff prepared a complex order. It's not expected the way delivery tips are, since no driver is involved.