Updated October 9, 2026. Tip 15% to 20% of the Instacart order in 2026, with a floor of about $5. A 10% default, which an older version of this page recommended, is low for someone who shops the list, substitutes items, and carries the bags to the door.
Instacart’s own help page says tips are optional, 100% of the tip goes to the shopper, and a two-shopper order splits the tip evenly. You can raise the tip for up to 14 days after delivery. You can lower it for up to 2 hours after delivery. You cannot change it while the order is in progress. The app may suggest a default, including a higher one in bad weather. You can type a different amount.
Add a few dollars for stairs, cases of water, or a storm. A large order should follow the percentage, not a flat $2. If the shopper misses most of the list or damages groceries, reducing the tip inside the two-hour window is the in-app path. Do not withhold the whole tip for a substitution you approved.
Source: Instacart Help, Tipping.