Start with the trip, not just the bill.
Ask how far the driver travels, how much shopping is involved, and whether your delivery has extra work attached. A percentage can be a starting point, but it can miss those differences.
For restaurant delivery
Consider the pickup wait, the drive, the route away from your address and the handoff. A small meal doesn’t make a long drive shorter.
For shop-and-deliver orders
The job can include locating items, checking produce, messaging about replacements, queuing, checking out, loading and carrying everything to your door. Consider the number and type of items—not only their price.
For curbside grocery delivery
The driver may not shop the order, but pickup delays, loading, travel and unloading still matter. It’s a different task from a full shop; the calculator lets you adjust the time.
For heavy items, stairs and tricky access
Water cases, multiple trips, long apartment corridors and missing gate codes add work. Clear directions, a visible address and timely replies help too.
For upfront and after-delivery tips
Where an upfront tip is reflected in the offer, it can help a driver judge the job before accepting. An intended cash or later tip may not be visible at that point. Platform rules and regional pay arrangements differ.
That’s a more useful question than assuming the driver’s costs are covered by whatever your app calls a delivery fee.
Try your own numbers ↗