Are you confused about how much to tip your Instacart shopper? 

You're not alone. 

Figuring out the right amount can be tricky, especially when you're already paying delivery fees and service charges. 

But here's the thing - your tip directly impacts your shopper's earnings and livelihood.

Let's break down everything you need to know about tipping on Instacart, from standard amounts to why it's so important in the first place.

What Is Instacart and Why Tipping Matters

Instacart connects you with personal shoppers who buy and deliver your groceries. 

Most customers work with full-service shoppers who handle both shopping and delivery. 

These shoppers aren't employees - they're independent contractors who rely heavily on your tips.

Your shopper's income comes from two sources:

1. Base Pay (Batch Pay): Instacart pays shoppers about $5-$7 per order (up to $10 in major cities like NYC). This base amount rarely covers the time spent on a full shopping trip.

2. Tips: Shoppers keep 100% of customer tips, which make up a substantial portion of their earnings. According to our research, about 45-50% of grocery delivery workers' income comes from tips, making them as dependent on gratuities as restaurant servers.

Without tips, an Instacart shopper might earn as little as $3-$4 per hour once you factor in time and expenses - far below minimum wage. 

Your tip bridges that gap.

Instacart's Tipping Policy and App Features

Instacart makes tipping straightforward but comes with some nuances worth understanding:

Default Tip and Adjustments

By default, Instacart suggests around 5% of your order total as a tip (with a $2 minimum) at checkout. 

The app may suggest higher percentages based on your tip history, order size, or even bad weather.

You can easily edit this amount during checkout or:

• Increase the tip up to 14 days after delivery

• Reduce or remove the tip within 2 hours after delivery (after that, you can't reduce it)

Tip Visibility to Shoppers

Here's something crucial to know: Instacart shoppers see your tip amount before accepting your order. 

This means shoppers know in advance if you tipped well, poorly, or not at all.

As a result, orders with no tip or very low tips are often ignored by experienced shoppers. 

A generous tip makes your order more attractive and likely to be picked up quickly by skilled shoppers.

Service Fee vs Tip

Don't confuse Instacart's fees with tipping:

• Instacart charges a service fee and possibly a delivery fee on orders

• These fees go to Instacart, not your shopper

• They are not a substitute for a tip

You should budget for a tip in addition to these fees since the tip is the only portion that directly rewards your shopper's service.

Tip Baiting Protection

"Tip baiting" happens when a customer offers a large tip to get their order picked up fast, then reduces or removes it after delivery. 

Instacart has implemented several protections against this practice:

• Customers must provide feedback if they remove a tip post-delivery

• Instacart will cover up to $10 of a removed tip if a customer zeroes it out with no reported issue

• Tip baiting is extremely rare (less than 0.5% of orders)

• Instacart may deactivate customers who repeatedly engage in tip baiting

Why Tips Are Crucial: Inside a Shopper's Costs and Pay

To truly understand why tipping 15-20% is the norm, let's look at the economics from your shopper's perspective:

Limited Base Pay

Remember that base pay per order is low (often around $7). If an order takes an hour and base pay is $7, that's $7/hour without a tip - well below minimum wage.

Shopper Expenses

Your Instacart shopper covers numerous costs out-of-pocket:

• Gasoline (with current prices adding up quickly)

• Vehicle wear-and-tear (the IRS estimates this at about $0.67 per mile in 2024)

• Auto insurance

• Self-employment taxes (roughly 30% of earnings)

• Possibly parking fees or tolls

These expenses significantly cut into what might seem like decent earnings on the surface.

Time and Effort

A typical Instacart order takes 60 to 90 minutes from start to finish. 

This includes driving to the store, shopping, checkout, and delivery driving. 

With only base pay, a shopper would earn under $10 before expenses for an hour of work.

Many experienced shoppers follow a "no-tip, no-trip" policy - meaning they decline orders with $0 tips because it's simply not worth their time. 

By tipping well, you increase your chances of faster delivery and service from high-quality shoppers.

How Much Should You Tip on Instacart?

Let's get to the heart of the matter - specific tipping recommendations for different situations.

Standard Tip Amount

Tip 15-20% of your order total in most cases. 

This aligns with customary restaurant tipping norms in the U.S. If service was excellent or your order was especially large or complex, go higher (20-25% or more).

Minimum Tip: Aim for at least $5 even on small orders. Many shoppers consider $5 the floor for any delivery to make it worth the trip.

Order Size Guidelines

Small Orders (a handful of items): Using the percentage rule might give a very low tip on small orders. 

For these cases, use a flat $5-$10 tip depending on effort. Even a small order requires the shopper to do the same driving and checkout process.

An experienced shopper recommends:

• $5 minimum for 1-9 items

• $8-$10 for 10-20 items

Large Orders (full cart loads): The 15-20% guideline works well here. Large grocery trips usually entail significant time shopping and heavy lifting.

For example, on a $150 order, 15% is $22.50 - rounding up to $25 is a nice gesture if the service was good. For particularly complicated orders, even 25-30% can be appropriate.

Special Situations

Heavy or Bulky Items: If your order contains a lot of heavy items (cases of water, large pet food bags, soda packs), tip extra on top of your percentage. Consider adding an extra $5-$10 for a heavy order, especially if you live in an apartment with stairs.

Long Distance Deliveries: If you live far from the store, factor that into your tip. While Instacart's base pay does account for mileage somewhat, adding a few extra dollars acknowledges the extra gas and time.

Bad Weather: Instacart encourages customers to tip more during bad weather, and for good reason. If it's snowing, storming, or extremely hot, tip closer to 20-25% even for a standard order.

Exceptional Service: When a shopper goes above and beyond with great communication, perfect replacements, or finding hard-to-get items, reward them with more than 20%. You can increase the tip after delivery if you're particularly impressed.

Instacart vs Other Delivery Services: Tipping Comparison

If you use multiple delivery services, here's how tipping expectations compare:

Instacart vs. Shipt (Target's delivery service)

Both have similar tipping expectations (15-20%). The key difference: on Instacart, shoppers see your tip upfront, while on Shipt, they don't see it until after delivery. 

This means Shipt shoppers accept orders "on faith," hoping you'll tip well later.

Instacart vs. DoorDash

DoorDash delivers prepared meals, not full shopping services. Tips on DoorDash average $4-5 per delivery (often 15-20% of smaller food orders). 

On Instacart, because grocery bills are higher and work is more involved, tips average around $6-7 per batch or more.

Unlike Instacart, DoorDash sometimes hides a portion of large tips until after delivery. 

Read more about in our full comparison of Doordash vs Instacart! 

Instacart vs. Amazon Fresh

When ordering from Amazon Fresh, they usually pre-select a $5 tip by default. 

For large Whole Foods orders, you should bump that tip up similar to Instacart's guidelines (15-20% for big or complex orders).

The fundamental principle across all platforms: if someone is bringing goods to your doorstep, budgeting 15-20% for a tip ensures you're seen as a respectful customer who values the worker's time.

Conclusion: Fair Tipping Makes Grocery Delivery Work

Tipping your Instacart shopper isn't just a nice gesture – it's an essential part of making the gig economy work. 

By tipping fairly (15-20% or more for great service), you ensure your shopper is compensated for their time and effort, and you're more likely to get fast, reliable service.

Most Instacart customers do tip - Instacart noted that over 80-90% of customers tip after recent improvements. 

By tipping appropriately, you're helping make grocery delivery a sustainable service.

When you value having someone save you a trip to the store, showing it through your tip creates a win-win relationship. 

Many shoppers remember which customers tip well, and they're more likely to provide exceptional service to those who value their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Instacart shoppers see your tip? 

Yes – Instacart shoppers can see your tip amount when the order is offered to them. 

This means if you leave no tip, they'll know, and your order may wait longer to be picked up. If you plan to tip in cash, consider communicating that so the shopper isn't deterred.

How much should I tip for a $100 Instacart order? 

A good tip for a $100 grocery order is $15 to $20 (15-20%). For complex orders, heavy items, or excellent service, consider tipping more (around $25). 

Your shopper likely spent an hour or more on that order – $15-20 is a fair reward.

Is it okay not to tip on Instacart? 

Generally, no. 

While technically "optional," shoppers expect tips as part of their compensation (similar to waitstaff). 

Without a tip, your order may be delayed as it's less appealing to shoppers. If budget is a concern, it's better to order less frequently than to shortchange your shopper.

Does the Instacart service fee go to the shopper as a tip? 

No – the service fee and delivery fee go to Instacart, not to your shopper. Only the tip amount goes directly to them. 

Always use the dedicated tip feature (or cash) if you want to ensure the shopper receives that money.

Want to learn more about fair tipping practices? 

Check out this comprehensive delivery driver tipping guide that covers multiple services.

Considering other grocery delivery options? Compare Instacart alternatives.

If you're wondering about the best times to schedule your Instacart delivery, timing can affect both service quality and potentially the tipping expectations, especially during peak hours.