As for delivery, 10% to 15% is the standard amount suggested by experts, but some recommend tipping even more. Maryanne Parker, founder of Manor of Manners, recommends tipping 25% to 30% — but said it's really up to your discretion.

In the current 2026 tipping landscape, a 10% to 15% tip for takeout is considered generous and well-appreciated, but it is not as "mandatory" as the 20% standard for sit-down service. Traditionally, takeout tipping was seen as optional because you aren't receiving table service. However, since the 2020s, it has become more common to tip a small amount to acknowledge the staff who packaged the meal, ensured order accuracy, and managed the pickup logistics. If you are picking up a very large or complex order for a group, a 15% tip is a kind gesture to compensate for the extra labor involved. If you are just grabbing a single coffee or a sandwich, many people choose to leave $1 or $2, or simply "round up" their change. While some digital payment screens now suggest 18% or 20% for takeout, you should not feel pressured to tip that much unless the service was exceptional. Ultimately, a 15% tip for a standard takeout order is seen as a sign of a very "good" and supportive customer.