How to Use the Monthly Delivery vs Home Cooking Calculator
Ordering delivery a few times a month because you're busy can quietly add up to far more than expected. This calculator takes your monthly order count, the average cost of delivery versus cooking, and the average calories for each, then shows exactly how much you'd save per month — and how many calories you'd cut — by switching those orders to home-cooked meals.
Delivery orders typically run higher than the same dish made at home once you factor in delivery fees, extra items added to hit a minimum order amount, and packaging costs. Restaurant kitchens also tend to use oil, salt, and sugar more liberally than a home cook would, which pushes calories up along with cost. That gap varies a lot by cuisine, restaurant, and cooking method, so pulling your own numbers from a few recent months of orders and meals gives you the most accurate comparison.
This calculator only compares cost and calories — it doesn't factor in the time spent shopping, cooking, or cleaning up. If you're looking for a middle ground, like ordering delivery once a week and cooking the rest, just lower the monthly order count to your target number and see the savings for that compromise instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Delivery food generally uses more oil, salt, and sugar in preparation, so it often runs higher in calories than the same dish made at home. The actual gap depends heavily on the dish and cooking method, so entering your own averages gives the most accurate result.
This calculator only compares cost and calories — it doesn't include time spent cooking, shopping, or cleaning up. If time matters to you, compare the calculated savings against what your time is worth per hour to decide.