How much to tip a delivery driver
For a US food delivery, start with 15 to 20% of the order. That works for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or a restaurant's own driver; use at least a few dollars on a small order.
Tip in the app before the drop when the platform asks. Do not tip twice.
This order
Add a few details to see what to tip.
20% of a $35 order (min $4)
$7
$7 in the app (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or the restaurant’s own). That is 20%, floored so tiny orders are not coins.
What to tip
15 to 20% of the order. $4 minimum so a $12 burrito is not a $1.80 tip.
25% for a long run, stairs, rain, snow, or a stacked order they protected.
$0 extra if you already tipped in the app, the order never arrived, or the driver was hostile.
When to adjust it
Already tapped 20% in the app
That is the tip. Cash on the porch is only for something well beyond the drop.
A delivery fee is on the bill
Check the tip line separately. A delivery or service fee is not the same as a tip to the driver.
Restaurant’s own driver vs gig app
Same percent band. Cash still reaches a restaurant driver more reliably than a line on some POS tickets.
No-contact drop
Still tip in the app. Leaving food at the door is the job, not a reason to zero the tip.
Location matters
United States (default)
Tipping delivery drivers is customary in the US. These ranges are compiled custom, not any app’s own policy.
High-cost cities
20% is normal. What really matters is a long hunt for parking and a building with no elevator.
Outside the US
In some countries delivery is not a tipped job. Follow local practice.
Common questions
How much do you tip a delivery driver?
Plan on 15 to 20% of the order in the US. Use a few dollars minimum on small tickets so the percent does not collapse to coins.
Do you tip DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub the same?
Yes for the percent band. Tip in whichever app took the order; do not stack cash on top unless they earned it.
Is the DoorDash delivery fee the tip?
No. Check the tip line separately; the delivery fee is not the driver's tip. Use the same 15 to 20% starting range as other food deliveries.
Should you tip before or after delivery?
Many apps let you tip at checkout and some also let you add or adjust a tip afterward. The timing varies by platform and location, so check your order receipt before adding another tip.
What about bad weather?
Add a few dollars for rain, snow, or extreme heat. That is a named bump, not a new percent forever.
Sources and policies
These links show relevant company policies and tipping guidance. Our amounts are starting points, and practices can change. Check your booking, bill, or provider before paying.