Tipping for Postmates and Grubhub delivery follows the standard food delivery guideline of 15-20% of the order total. For small orders under $15, a $2-4 minimum is appropriate to ensure the driver is fairly compensated. For large orders over $50, 18-20% is recommended given the extra handling required. However, there are important differences between the two platforms: Postmates (now part of Uber Eats) historically promoted a tipless delivery model with higher service fees, but has since shifted to standard 15-20% tipping expectations. Grubhub has always included built-in 15-20% tipping at checkout, making the expectation clearer for customers. Our Postmates and Grubhub tip calculator factors in order total, delivery distance, service fee, platform choice, and delivery time to provide a fair, context-aware recommendation for either platform.

1. 1. Choose Your Platform & Order Details: Start by selecting whether you're ordering on Postmates or Grubhub. Each platform has different tipping norms and history. Then enter your order total, delivery distance, and the service fee shown at checkout. The order total is the base for percentage-based tips (15-20%), while the distance determines the distance modifier.
2. 2. Select Delivery Time: Choose the delivery time accuracy: Early (arrived before estimated time, 1.25x multiplier), On Time (arrived within the window, 1.0x), Delayed (10-20 min late, 0.8x), or Very Delayed (20+ min late, 0.5x). This adjusts your tip recommendation to reflect the quality of service you received.
3. 3. Review Your Personalized Recommendations: The calculator displays four tip options side by side: the flat minimum tip (based on a $2-4 range adjusted for distance), the 17.5% percentage-based tip, the full 15-20% range, and the recommended tip (best of all methods, fully adjusted for time and distance). A highlighted card marks the recommended tip with a detailed explanation of how it was calculated.

• Order Total: The primary factor in determining tip amount. Standard tipping is 15-20% of the order total. For orders under $15, a flat $2-4 minimum ensures the driver is fairly compensated regardless of the percentage calculation.
• Delivery Distance: Longer deliveries mean more gas, more wear and tear on the vehicle, and more time spent away from the restaurant. Our calculator adds $0.50 per mile beyond the first mile, capped at $4. A 3-mile delivery adds $1.00, while an 8-mile delivery adds the maximum $4.00.
• Delivery Time: The timeliness of your delivery affects the recommended tip. Early deliveries (before the estimated time) earn a 1.25x premium. On-time deliveries use the standard rate. Delayed deliveries (10-20 min late) reduce the tip to 0.8x, and very delayed (20+ min late) to 0.5x.
• Platform Choice: Postmates and Grubhub have different tipping histories and norms. Postmates (now Uber Eats) originally had a tipless model but has moved to standard tipping. Grubhub has always had built-in 15-20% tipping. Our calculator provides platform-specific guidance for each.
• Service Fee vs Tip: The service fee charged by the platform covers operating costs and does NOT go to the driver. The tip is entirely separate and goes directly to the driver. Always tip on top of the service fee.

Tipping customs vary by region and restaurant. While 15-20% is the standard recommendation, some deliveries may warrant different amounts based on specific circumstances. Cash tips are often preferred by delivery drivers as they receive the full amount immediately. If tipping through the app, check whether the tip goes entirely to the driver - most platforms pass 100% of tips to drivers, but policies can vary. Delivery fees charged by the restaurant or platform typically do NOT go to the driver - they cover the platform's operating costs, insurance, and technology infrastructure. Postmates(now part of Uber Eats) has transitioned from a tipless delivery model (where drivers were paid a higher delivery fee) to a standard tipping model, so tipping is now expected. Grubhub has always been tip-inclusive with built-in tipping at checkout. This calculator provides recommendations based on common tipping practices and should be used as a guide. All calculations run locally in your browser - no data is sent to any server.