DoorDash Photo Requirements: Specs That Get Approved
DoorDash has specific photo requirements and 14 different rejection categories. Here's exactly what you need to know to get your menu photos approved - dimensions, formats, and the content rules that trip up most restaurants.
In This Article
- Why DoorDash Photos Drive Sales
- DoorDash Photo Specifications
- The 14 Rejection Reasons
- Getting Your Photos Right
- FAQ
Why DoorDash Photos Drive Sales
DoorDash studied over 15,000 small business merchants and found that menu items with photos generate up to 44% more monthly sales than items without.[1] Header images boost sales by up to 50%, and even just having a logo increases sales by 23%.[2]
The trend is accelerating. According to DoorDash's 2024 Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report, customers' reliance on food photos has increased 11% year over year. 38% of customers now use menu photos to choose a new restaurant.[3]
For Gen Z specifically, the numbers are even higher: 46% in the US and 36% in Canada say food photos influence their ordering decisions.[3] With the food delivery market continuing to grow, ignoring menu photography means leaving money on the table.
DoorDash Photo Specifications
DoorDash has three photo types, each with different specs.
Item Photos
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File Size | Under 16 MB |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (landscape) |
| Minimum Resolution | 1400 x 800 pixels |
| File Types | JPG, JPEG, or PNG |
These appear next to individual menu items. The 16:9 landscape format is different from most other platforms - if you're repurposing photos from Uber Eats (which uses 5:4), you'll need to crop or reshoot. GourmetPix outputs directly in 16:9 format, so you can skip the cropping step entirely.[4]
Logo
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File Size | Under 2 MB |
| Aspect Ratio | Square (1:1) recommended |
| Minimum Resolution | 230 x 230 pixels |
| File Types | JPG, JPEG, or PNG |
DoorDash crops logos to a center square, so upload square format to avoid unexpected cropping.[4]
Header Photos (Carousel)
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File Size | Under 2 MB |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:1 (web) / 16:9 (app) |
| Minimum Resolution | 1400 x 800 pixels |
| File Types | JPG, JPEG, or PNG |
Header photos display differently on web versus mobile. The 4:1 ratio on web is extremely wide - plan your composition with important elements in the center third.[4]
The 14 Rejection Reasons
DoorDash publicly lists 14 categories that will get your photos rejected. Knowing these upfront saves you from the back-and-forth of resubmissions.
Technical Rejections
1. Zoom - Photo is too zoomed in and won't render correctly. Take photos in landscape mode with the entire item visible.
2. Blurry - Menu item is out of focus or below 230x230px minimum resolution. Sharp focus on the food is non-negotiable.
3. Lighting - Photo is too light or too dark. Adjust your lighting setup or turn off the flash if it's washing out the image.
4. Color Issue - Colors appear unnatural or inaccurate. This usually happens with mixed lighting sources or heavy post-processing. Natural window light avoids most color problems.
Content Rejections
5. Background - Distracting or artificial backgrounds. Use neutral surfaces without busy tablecloths, bright patterns, or visible clutter.
6. Overlays - Text or graphics added to the photo. Remove all text, logos, promotional banners, or borders before submitting.
7. Collage - Multiple photos spliced together. Use only a single continuous photo.
8. People in Shot - Photo includes faces. Only hands and arms holding items are acceptable.
9. Unappetizing - Food appears partially consumed, messy, has visible plastic utensils, or is otherwise unappealing. Present the dish as you would serve it to a customer.
Compliance Rejections
10. Non-item Photo - Photo doesn't clearly show the menu item. The entire item must be visible and recognizable.
11. Mismatch - Image doesn't match the menu item or shows items not included in the dish.
12. Duplicate - Same photo submitted twice. Each menu item needs a unique image.
13. Copyright - Photo flagged as potentially not belonging to your restaurant. Only submit photos you own or have rights to use.
14. Non-representative - Image appears artificial, AI-generated in a way that doesn't represent the actual dish, or heavily modified. DoorDash specifically flags photos that don't represent what customers will receive.[4]
That last point is worth noting. DoorDash accepts AI-enhanced photos that accurately represent your food - they reject photos where AI has fundamentally changed what the dish looks like. The goal is authenticity: what you show should match what customers get.
GourmetPix is designed with this in mind. It enhances your existing food photos - improving lighting, backgrounds, and presentation - while keeping your actual dish recognizable. The result passes DoorDash's review because it still represents what customers will receive.
Getting Your Photos Right
Shooting for DoorDash
Landscape orientation is mandatory. The 16:9 aspect ratio means horizontal shots only. Portrait photos will either be rejected or cropped badly.
Keep the whole dish visible. DoorDash specifically rejects photos where the item is cut off or only partially shown. Frame with extra space on all edges.
Neutral backgrounds work best. Clean surfaces - wood, marble, simple solid colors. Busy tablecloths and patterned backgrounds get flagged as distracting.
Natural light, no flash. Position near a window with indirect daylight. Flash creates flat, harsh shadows that make food look unappetizing. For detailed lighting guidance, see our food photo lighting guide.
Aspect Ratio Comparison: DoorDash vs. Others
| Platform | Item Photo Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | 16:9 | Widest format, landscape only |
| Uber Eats | 5:4 to 6:4 | Closer to square, more vertical space |
| Deliveroo | 3:2 (crops to 1:1) | Square thumbnails |
| 1:1, 4:5 | Square or portrait |
If you're shooting for multiple platforms, 16:9 is the hardest to crop from other formats. Consider shooting wide and cropping for narrower aspect ratios, rather than the reverse.
Using GourmetPix for DoorDash
GourmetPix handles DoorDash's requirements out of the box:
- 16:9 aspect ratio - Select "Widescreen" during refinement to match DoorDash's exact format
- 4K upscaling - Outputs at resolutions well above DoorDash's 1400x800 minimum
- Clean backgrounds - Avoids rejection reason #5 (distracting backgrounds)
- Proper lighting - Fixes dark or overexposed photos that trigger rejection reason #3
- Natural colors - Corrects color issues from mixed lighting (rejection reason #4)
For header images displayed in the 4:1 web format, process at 16:9 and crop the top and bottom edges. Keep your dish centered during the original shot to ensure nothing important gets cut off.
Review Timeline
DoorDash reviews photos within 1 business day typically, though busy periods can extend this to 3-5 days.[4] You'll get notifications via email and in the Merchant Portal's Menu Manager.
Free DoorDash Photoshoot
DoorDash offers free professional photoshoots for qualifying merchants.[5] If you're new to the platform or haven't used this option, check your Merchant Portal for availability.
The limitation: one photoshoot covers a fixed number of dishes at a single point in time. When you add seasonal specials, update your menu, or expand to new locations, you're back to scheduling another session.
GourmetPix fills that gap. Transform your own photos into DoorDash-ready images whenever you need them - no scheduling, no waiting for a photographer. Process a new dish in minutes instead of weeks.
Ready to get your DoorDash photos approved? Try GourmetPix free with 10 credits - no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should DoorDash menu photos be?
DoorDash requires menu item photos to be at least 1400 x 800 pixels in 16:9 landscape format, under 16 MB. JPG, JPEG, and PNG formats are accepted.
Why do DoorDash photos get rejected?
The 14 rejection reasons include: wrong dimensions/zoom, blurry images, bad lighting, color issues, distracting backgrounds, text overlays, collages, faces visible, unappetizing presentation, item not clearly shown, image mismatch, duplicates, copyright issues, and non-representative AI-generated images.
Can I use the same photos for DoorDash and Uber Eats?
Not directly. DoorDash uses 16:9 aspect ratio while Uber Eats uses 5:4. You'll need different versions for each platform. With GourmetPix, you can process the same source photo in both aspect ratios - 16:9 for DoorDash, 5:4 for Uber Eats - without reshooting.
How long does DoorDash photo review take?
Reviews typically complete within 1 business day. During busy periods, this can extend to 3-5 days. Plan ahead for menu launches or seasonal changes.
Does DoorDash accept AI-enhanced photos?
Yes, but with conditions. DoorDash accepts AI-enhanced photos that accurately represent your actual dish. They reject photos where AI has created something that doesn't match what customers will receive. Enhancement is fine; misrepresentation is not.
References
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