---
title: Configuring Default Delivery Estimates
description: "Delivery Promise for WooCommerce uses default delivery settings as the starting point for calculating dispatch and delivery dates. These defaults are used when no specific delivery rule, product lead time, or shipping method override applies. Table of Contents [Toggle](#) -…"
url: "https://wpruby.com/knowledgebase/configuring-default-delivery-estimates/"
updated: "2026-07-01"
category: Delivery Promise for WooCommerce
---

# Configuring Default Delivery Estimates

Delivery Promise for WooCommerce uses default delivery settings as the starting point for calculating dispatch and delivery dates.

These defaults are used when no specific delivery rule, product lead time, or shipping method override applies.

Table of Contents

 [Toggle](#)

- [What are default delivery estimates?](#What_are_default_delivery_estimates)
- [Where to configure default estimates](#Where_to_configure_default_estimates)
- [Processing time before dispatch](#Processing_time_before_dispatch)
  - [Example](#Example)
- [Delivery time after dispatch](#Delivery_time_after_dispatch)
  - [Example](#Example-2)
- [Recommended starting setup](#Recommended_starting_setup)
- [How default estimates are used](#How_default_estimates_are_used)
- [Minimum and maximum days](#Minimum_and_maximum_days)
- [Important notes](#Important_notes)
  - [Use working days, not calendar days](#Use_working_days_not_calendar_days)
  - [Holidays are skipped](#Holidays_are_skipped)
  - [Cutoff time can affect the start date](#Cutoff_time_can_affect_the_start_date)
- [When to use delivery rules instead](#When_to_use_delivery_rules_instead)
- [Example setups](#Example_setups)
  - [Same-day or next-day dispatch](#Same-day_or_next-day_dispatch)
  - [Slower warehouse processing](#Slower_warehouse_processing)
  - [Fast default shipping](#Fast_default_shipping)
- [Testing your default estimate](#Testing_your_default_estimate)
- [Troubleshooting](#Troubleshooting)
  - [The estimate looks too early](#The_estimate_looks_too_early)
  - [The estimate looks too late](#The_estimate_looks_too_late)
  - [The default estimate is not being used](#The_default_estimate_is_not_being_used)

## What are default delivery estimates?

Default delivery estimates are the general processing and transit times your store uses for most orders.

The plugin uses two main values:

- **Processing time before dispatch**
- **Delivery time after dispatch**

Together, these create the estimated delivery range shown to customers.

Example:

```php
Processing time: 0–1 working days
Delivery time after dispatch: 2–3 working days
```

This means the order may dispatch today or the next working day, then arrive 2–3 working days after dispatch.

## Where to configure default estimates

To configure your default delivery estimates:

1. Go to **WooCommerce → Delivery Promise**.
2. Open the **General** tab.
3. Find the **Default Timing** section.
4. Set your default processing time.
5. Set your default delivery/transit time.
6. Save your changes.

## Processing time before dispatch

Processing time is the time your store needs before the order is dispatched.

This may include:

- picking and packing products
- preparing handmade or custom items
- creating labels
- waiting for warehouse processing
- preparing bulky or special-handling products

### Example

If your store usually dispatches orders on the same day or next working day, use:

```php
Minimum processing days: 0
Maximum processing days: 1
```

If your store usually needs 1–2 working days before dispatch, use:

```php
Minimum processing days: 1
Maximum processing days: 2
```

## Delivery time after dispatch

Delivery time after dispatch is the estimated transit time after the order has been dispatched.

This usually depends on the shipping method.

### Example

For standard shipping, you might use:

```php
Minimum delivery days: 2
Maximum delivery days: 4
```

For express shipping, you might create a separate delivery rule instead of changing the global default.

## Recommended starting setup

For many stores, a good starting setup is:

```php
Processing time before dispatch: 0–1 working days
Delivery time after dispatch: 2–3 working days
Working days: Monday–Friday
Cutoff time: 14:00
```

This means:

- Orders placed before the cutoff may dispatch sooner.
- Orders placed after the cutoff start from the next working day.
- Weekends and holidays are skipped.
- Customers see a realistic delivery range instead of a fixed date.

## How default estimates are used

The plugin uses your default timing when no more specific setting applies.

More specific settings can override the defaults, including:

- delivery rules
- shipping method rules
- product-level lead times
- category rules
- stock status rules
- backorder settings

For example:

```php
Default delivery estimate:
Processing: 0–1 days
Transit: 2–3 days
```

But if you create an Express Shipping rule:

```php
Express Shipping:
Processing: 0–1 days
Transit: 1–2 days
```

Then customers who select Express Shipping will see the faster estimate.

## Minimum and maximum days

Delivery Promise uses a range instead of a single fixed date.

This helps avoid overpromising.

Example:

```php
Processing: 1–2 days
Transit: 2–4 days
```

The customer may see a delivery estimate such as:

```php
Estimated delivery: July 4 – July 8
```

The exact dates depend on your working days, holidays, cutoff time, and selected shipping method.

## Important notes

### Use working days, not calendar days

Delivery Promise calculates estimates using working days.

If your store only processes orders Monday to Friday, weekends are skipped.

### Holidays are skipped

Dates added in the **Calendar** section are skipped when calculating delivery estimates.

### Cutoff time can affect the start date

If an order is placed after the cutoff time, the plugin can start the dispatch calculation from the next working day.

Example:

```php
Cutoff time: 14:00
Order placed: Monday 16:00
```

The plugin treats Tuesday as the next possible processing day.

## When to use delivery rules instead

Use default delivery estimates for your normal store-wide delivery promise.

Use delivery rules when you need different estimates for:

- express shipping
- international shipping
- specific products
- specific categories
- backorder products
- bulky or freight items
- made-to-order products
- specific countries or zones

## Example setups

### Same-day or next-day dispatch

```php
Processing: 0–1 days
Transit: 2–3 days
Cutoff: 14:00
Working days: Monday–Friday
```

### Slower warehouse processing

```php
Processing: 2–3 days
Transit: 3–5 days
Working days: Monday–Friday
```

### Fast default shipping

```php
Processing: 0–1 days
Transit: 1–2 days
Working days: Monday–Friday
```

## Testing your default estimate

After saving your default settings, use the **Delivery Promise Tester** to preview the result.

1. Go to **WooCommerce → Delivery Promise**.
2. Open the **Tester** tab.
3. Select a product.
4. Choose a shipping method and destination if needed.
5. Run the test.

The tester shows the calculated dispatch and delivery estimate, plus the reason the date was chosen.

## Troubleshooting

### The estimate looks too early

Check:

- processing time is not too low
- cutoff time is correct
- holidays are added
- working days are configured correctly
- product-level lead time is not overriding the default

### The estimate looks too late

Check:

- processing maximum days
- transit maximum days
- holiday dates
- working days
- matching delivery rules

### The default estimate is not being used

A more specific setting may be overriding it.

Check:

- delivery rules
- product-level lead times
- backorder settings
- shipping method rules
- category rules

Use the **Delivery Promise Tester** to see which rule or setting is being applied.