The Gig Calculator
Instacart • Net earnings estimate

Instacart Net Earnings Calculator

Estimate what you actually take home from Instacart after mileage, expenses, and self-employment tax. This is an estimate tool, not tax advice.

Enter your numbers

Use your total (batch pay + tips + promos/bonuses, if included in your summary).
Used to estimate your effective hourly rate.
Shopping adds time—miles + time together drive your true net rate.
If you don’t track fees separately, you can leave this at $0.
Examples: insulated bags, cart/utility items, phone mount, supplies, parking, etc.
Assumptions: self-employment tax estimate uses 15.3% of net profit (estimate only). Mileage uses a default rate (you can switch to custom).

Results

These are estimates based on what you enter.

Estimated expenses $0.00
Net profit (pre-tax) $0.00
Self-employment tax (estimate) $0.00
Estimated take-home $0.00
Effective hourly rate $0.00/hr

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not tax or financial advice. Actual results vary.

đź’ˇ IRS Mileage Pro Tip

If you drive your own vehicle for gig work, you may be able to deduct $0.67 per mile using the IRS standard mileage rate. This deduction often reduces taxable income far more than drivers expect. The IRS standard mileage rate can change annually. Always verify the current rate when filing taxes.

This calculator estimates take-home pay only. Mileage deductions are claimed when you file taxes, not paid by the platform.

Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not tax or financial advice. Actual results vary.

Common mistakes that skew gig pay estimates

  • Under-counting miles: Many drivers forget dead miles between trips.
  • Using gross summaries: Platform summaries may hide fees or adjustments.
  • Ignoring small expenses: Parking, supplies, and wear add up over time.

This tool works best with reasonable estimates — precision improves over time.

How Instacart pay typically breaks down

  • Gross earnings may include batch pay, tips, and promotions/incentives.
  • Shopping time is part of the job—two batches with the same gross can have very different net-per-hour.
  • Miles still matter (fuel + wear), but time inside the store can be the hidden cost.
  • Taxes are generally based on net profit, not gross earnings.

Tip: Track both hours and miles so you can compare batches by net-per-hour (not just payout).

Instacart earnings FAQ

Q
Should I include tips in gross earnings?
Yes, tips are part of your income and affect take-home.
Q
What’s the biggest “hidden” cost with Instacart?
Time. Shopping time can lower effective hourly rate even if the batch payout looks good.
Q
Do I need to enter platform fees?
No, if you don’t track fees as a separate line, leave it at $0.

This site is not affiliated with Instacart.