Do I tip for grocery delivery?
Plan on 10–15% of the order, with roughly a $5 floor. The app's default suggestion often lowballs it, and the people doing the work are gig shoppers whose pay leans heavily on the tip.
It's more than a handoff: they walk the aisles, pick your produce, swap out-of-stock items, bag it, and drive it over, all on their own clock and gas. A big or heavy haul earns the top of the range.
Most apps let you adjust the tip for a day or two after delivery, so you can bump it once you see how well they actually shopped.
On a $90 grocery order, 10–15% is about $9–$14. A small order still warrants the roughly $5 minimum.
When to tip more
Push past 15% for a heavy or bulky haul, a long drive, bad weather, or a shopper who nailed a pile of substitutions.
Quick questions
How much do you tip for grocery delivery?
10–15% of the order, with about $5 as a minimum. More for a big, heavy, or far order. The in-app default is often lower than the going norm.
Is the Instacart service fee a tip?
No. The service fee goes to the platform, not the shopper. The shopper is paid mostly through your separate tip, so it's worth setting one.
Related situations
Verdict based on: NerdWallet (2025), Consumer Reports (2024).
Tipping guide · Methodology.
General etiquette guidance, not financial or legal advice. Norms vary by region and situation, and tipping is always your call.