Delivery Tipping Guide: How Much to Tip for Food, Groceries, and More
Delivery services have exploded in popularity, and with them came confusion about tipping. How much should you tip your food delivery driver? Your grocery shopper? The person delivering your new sofa? This guide covers every delivery scenario.
Food Delivery Tipping
| Service Type | Recommended Tip | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant delivery (driver employed) | 15-20% of order total | $3 | Standard, same as dine-in tipping |
| DoorDash / Uber Eats / Grubhub | 15-20% of order total | $3-$5 | These workers rely heavily on tips |
| Large catering order | 15-20% | $10-$20 | More items = more trips to the car |
| Pizza delivery | $3-$5 or 15-20% | $3 | Classic, tip well especially in bad weather |
Grocery Delivery Tipping
| Service | Recommended Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Instacart / Shipt | 10-15% of order total or $5 minimum | Shopper shops AND delivers �more work than restaurant delivery |
| Walmart / Target delivery | $5-$10 or 10% | Driver only delivers (store staff shops) |
| Amazon Fresh / Whole Foods | 10-15% or $5 minimum | Tip in app after delivery |
| Large grocery order ($100+) | 10-15% ($10-$15) | Heavy items = higher tip |
Package and Furniture Delivery
| Service | Recommended Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mail carrier (USPS) | Holiday gift only ($10-$20) | Federal employees cannot accept cash tips |
| UPS / FedEx driver | Holiday gift ($15-$30) | Not expected but appreciated |
| Furniture delivery (2-person team) | $10-$20 per person | Especially if they bring it inside and assemble |
| Appliance delivery | $10-$20 per person | More if they haul away old appliance |
| Amazon delivery driver | $0-$5 | Not expected, very appreciated |
Special Delivery Scenarios
Bad Weather
If it's raining, snowing, or extremely hot/cold, add 20-50% to your usual tip. Drivers are working in uncomfortable conditions to serve you.
Large or Heavy Items
Cases of water, large pet food bags, heavy furniture �if your delivery requires significant effort, tip accordingly. Add $2-5 per heavy item.
Apartment / Walk-Up Deliveries
If the driver has to navigate an apartment building, wait for an elevator, or climb stairs, add $2-5 to the tip. No elevator in a 4th floor walk-up? Double the tip.
No-Contact Delivery
Tip the same as regular delivery. The work is the same, just the handoff is different.
Pre-Tipping vs. Post-Tipping
Should you tip before or after delivery?
| Approach | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-tip (in app) | Order prioritized, driver accepts faster | Can't adjust for bad service |
| Post-tip (after delivery) | Can reward/punish based on service | Less incentive for driver to accept |
Recommendation: Tip a reasonable amount upfront (10-15%) and add more after delivery if service was excellent. This balances driver incentive with your ability to reward quality.
Holiday Tipping for Regular Delivery People
If you have regular delivery people (weekly grocery delivery, daily mail, frequent package deliveries), consider holiday tips:
- Mail carrier: $10-$20 gift card (cash not allowed)
- UPS/FedEx driver: $15-$30
- Regular food delivery driver (if you use same person): $20-$50
- Grocery delivery shopper: $20-$40
Tipping by Delivery Service (Quick Reference)
| Service | Recommended | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | 15-20% ($3 min) | $3 |
| Uber Eats | 15-20% ($3 min) | $3 |
| Grubhub | 15-20% ($3 min) | $3 |
| Instacart | 10-15% ($5 min) | $5 |
| Pizza delivery | $3-$5 or 15% | $3 |
| Furniture delivery | $10-$20/person | $10/person |
| Amazon delivery | $0-$5 | $0 |
Final Thoughts
Delivery drivers rely on tips for a significant portion of their income, especially gig-economy workers who don't receive hourly wages or benefits. While the proliferation of delivery services has made tipping more frequent, the amounts aren't large �a few dollars per delivery. When in doubt, tip what you'd want to receive if you were making the trip in the same weather and conditions. Use QuickMath's Tip Calculator to quickly figure the right amount.