Food Delivery Tipping Guide: How Much to Tip
Delivery drivers use their own cars, fuel and time, and app base pay is often low, so tips make up a large share of their earnings. Percentage works for bigger orders; a flat $2–$5 floor keeps small orders fair. Tipping in the app before delivery can help your order get picked up faster during busy periods.
Work out a delivery tip
Delivery tip by order size (at ~18%)
| Order total | Suggested tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under $15 | $3–$5 | Use the flat minimum, not a percentage |
| $15–$30 | $4–$6 | Round to a comfortable amount |
| $30–$60 | $6–$10 | Standard 15–20% |
| $60–$100 | $10–$18 | Large / group orders |
| Bad weather or 5+ miles | +$2–$5 | On top of the above |
Should you tip before or after delivery?
On most apps you tip when you order, and that upfront tip helps your order get accepted quickly — many drivers filter low- or no-tip orders during busy times. If service is poor you can usually adjust the tip down within a set window afterward. For cash-on-delivery or pizza, tipping at the door is normal; have the amount ready.
When to tip more than 20%
Bump the tip for heavy or bulky orders (cases of drinks, large group meals), severe weather, long distances, apartment complexes or offices with hard-to-find entrances, and late-night runs. Grocery-delivery shoppers who hand-pick and substitute items are effectively doing your shopping — 15–20% of the basket is fair, more for large or particular orders.
Do delivery drivers keep the whole tip?
On DoorDash, Uber Eats and most major apps, 100% of the tip goes to the driver. Base pay from the app is separate. For restaurant-employed drivers (some pizza chains), the tip still goes to the driver, though a listed “delivery fee” is a charge kept by the business — it is not a tip, so don’t skip tipping because you saw one.
Related tipping guides
- How much to tip a food delivery driver
- How much to tip a pizza delivery driver
- How much to tip a grocery delivery shopper
- How much to tip a courier
FAQ
How much do you tip a DoorDash or Uber Eats driver?
15–20% of the order with a $2–$5 minimum, and more for weather, distance or large orders. The tip goes entirely to the driver.
Is the delivery fee a tip?
No. The delivery fee is charged by the app or restaurant and does not go to the driver as a tip. Add a separate tip.
Do you tip on pizza delivery?
Yes — about 15–20%, or a $3–$5 minimum for small orders, given in cash or through the app.
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Reviewed 2026-08-10. Tipping is customary, not mandatory; adjust for your budget and service quality.