How the estimate is built
The metered fare is the base fare plus distance times the per mile charge plus minutes times the per minute charge. If that total is below the minimum fare, the minimum replaces it. The metered fare is then multiplied by the surge multiplier, the booking fee is added once, and the tip percentage is applied to that amount.
The booking fee is added after surge because it is a fixed charge rather than a distance or time rate. The tip is calculated on the fare including fees, which is how most apps present suggested tips. All tariff amounts are handled in whole pence.
Worked example
A trip of 8 miles taking 22 minutes on a tariff of 2.50 base, 1.50 per mile and 0.20 per minute gives 2.50 + 12.00 + 4.40 = 18.90. With a 1.4 surge multiplier the fare becomes 26.46. A 10% tip adds 2.65, so the estimated total is 29.11, or about 3.64 per mile.
These rates are illustrative. Enter the tariff your operator publishes or the one shown in your app before you book.
Where the rates come from
Licensed taxi fares in England are set by the local council and published as a tariff card, which lists the flag fall, the distance rate and often a waiting rate. Private hire and rideshare operators publish their own rates and apply surge pricing when demand is high.
This page does not hold a fare table and does not query a booking API. You supply the rates, so the estimate is only as good as the tariff you enter. A quoted price in an app remains the authoritative amount.
Surge, waiting and tolls
A surge multiplier of 1 means no surge. Enter 1.5 when the app shows a fare of 1.5 times the normal rate. Surge changes minute by minute, so an estimate made before booking can differ from the price at the moment you confirm.
Waiting time is included only through the minutes you enter. Tolls, airport charges, cleaning fees and cancellation charges are not modelled. Add them separately if you know they apply.
Limits of this estimate
The result is an arithmetic estimate from your inputs, not a quote. It does not account for traffic that changes the trip time after you set off, for route changes, or for operator-specific rounding rules.
For a rail journey instead, compare ticket prices with the train fare calculator, or check weekly costs against a Travelcard with the TfL fare calculator.
For a rail alternative on the same trip, compare quotes with the UK train fare calculator.
For regular London travel, compare fares and caps with the TfL fare calculator.
Inputs for the Uber tariff calculator
Journey distance
Enter the miles your app or meter shows for the trip, including any diversion the route requires.
Journey time
Enter the expected minutes, including time spent waiting in traffic rather than only moving time.
Base fare
The fixed charge at the start of the trip, often called the flag fall on a licensed taxi tariff.
Charge per mile
The tariff rate for each mile. Enter the rate that applies at the time of your journey, not a daytime average.
Charge per minute
The tariff rate for each minute. Enter zero when your operator charges by distance only.
Booking fee
A fixed fee added once per trip. Enter zero when the operator charges none.
Minimum fare
The lowest metered amount charged for any trip. Enter zero when no minimum applies.
Surge multiplier
Enter 1 for no surge, or the multiplier your app shows, such as 1.5 for a fare one and a half times normal.
Tip
The percentage added to the fare after surge and fees. Enter zero when you do not intend to tip.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
Uber tariff calculator UK questions
Is this a live Uber quote?
No. It calculates from the tariff you enter. The price shown in your app at the moment of booking is the authoritative amount.
Why is the booking fee added after surge?
The fee is a fixed charge rather than a distance or time rate, so it is added once and is not multiplied by the surge factor.
Does the estimate include tolls or airport charges?
No. Tolls, airport drop-off charges, cleaning fees and cancellation charges are not modelled and must be added separately.
Why does the minimum fare matter on short trips?
On a very short trip the distance and time charges can be lower than the operator's minimum, so the minimum becomes the metered fare.