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# How Delivery Preparation Time Differs from Estimated Delivery Time

# How Delivery Preparation Time Differs from Estimated Delivery Time

|| Delivery Preparation Time and Estimated Delivery Time serve different purposes. Preparation time refers to how long the kitchen needs to prepare an order, while estimated delivery time refers to the expected time for delivery travel.

## Where to Find These Settings

* **Preparation Time:** Settings → Delivery → Time & charges


  ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/e/c/2/fec2bb2c3e13f800/screenshot-2026-10-10-at-81038_12etoxw.png =900x700)

* **Estimated Delivery Time:** Settings → Delivery → Delivery Zone → Edit zone


![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/e/c/2/fec2bb2c3e13f800/screenshot-2026-10-10-at-81526_1sg8hqn.png =900x700)

## 1. Delivery Preparation Time

The **Default Preparation time (minutes)** setting defines the default time needed to prepare a delivery order.

### How to Configure It

1. Go to **Settings → Delivery**.
2. Open the **Time & charges** tab.
3. Enter the required time in **Default Preparation time (minutes)**.
4. Click **Save charges**.

Example: If you set the preparation time to **20 minutes**, the system uses 20 minutes as the default kitchen preparation time for delivery orders.

## 2. Estimated Delivery Time

The **Estimated delivery time (minutes)** field is configured separately for each delivery zone. It represents the estimated delivery travel time shown to customers.

### How to Configure It

1. Go to **Settings → Delivery**.
2. Open the **Delivery Zone** tab.
3. Click **Edit zone** for the required zone.
4. Enter the time in **Estimated delivery time (minutes)**.
5. Click **Save changes**.

Example: You could configure an estimated delivery time of **30 minutes** for a particular zone.

## 3. Example: Understanding the Difference

Suppose your restaurant uses these settings:

| Setting | Configured Time |
| ---- | ---- |
| Default preparation time | 20 minutes |
| Estimated delivery time | 30 minutes |

* **Preparation time:** The kitchen's expected time to prepare the order.
* **Estimated delivery time:** The estimated time for delivery travel.

These values describe different stages of fulfilling an order. Do not assume the storefront's final delivery estimate is always the sum of these two values unless your system's calculation confirms it.

## Important Notes

* Preparation time is configured under **Time & charges**.
* Estimated delivery time is configured separately for each delivery zone.
* Review both settings to ensure they reflect your restaurant's kitchen and delivery operations.
* Save each setting using its respective button.