DV Lottery photo checker
The Diversity Visa entry photo is a file specification first: exactly 600×600 pixels, JPEG, 240 KB or less, head 50–69% of the height. A photo that looks perfect can still be rejected by the entry system for the wrong pixel count — so this checker measures the file as strictly as the face.
We measure, we don’t certify. IDPhotoCheck checks your photo against the published measurements — the issuing authority makes the final decision, and no tool can promise approval.
What this tool will not do to a US photo
The official US rule requires your original, unedited photo: no filters, no retouching, and no software-changed backgrounds. So this checker measures and crops — and refuses to replace the background or “beautify” a face — for US documents. If your background is not white, the honest fix is a retake against a plain white wall or sheet. Why we refuse to edit your photo →
Tap to choose a photo, or drop it here
JPG, PNG, WebP or HEIC — processed on your device, never uploaded
We measure, we don’t certify. IDPhotoCheck checks your photo against the published measurements — the issuing authority makes the final decision, and no tool can promise approval.
The official rules this page checks
| Pixel dimensions | Exactly 600×600 px |
|---|---|
| Head height | Head 50–69% of the image height |
| File | JPEG, 240 KB or less |
| Background | Plain white or off-white background |
Source: U.S. Department of State — Digital Image Requirements — Diversity Visa section (travel.state.gov) (official page). Values checked 2026-11-08. If the official page and this table ever disagree, the official page wins — please tell us.
The State Department also requires: photo taken within the last 6 months; the applicant facing the camera directly with a neutral expression and both eyes open; no glasses; no head covering except for religious reasons; the whole head — top of hair to bottom of chin — inside the frame. Entries are disqualified for non-compliant photos, which is why the measurement matters. The full DV Lottery requirements list collects every published rule with its source.
The three DV file mistakes
- Wrong pixels. 600×600 means exactly that. A 601×600 or 600×599 file is a different file. The export produces the exact dimensions.
- Over 240 KB. Modern phone photos are megabytes. The export compresses under the ceiling — and shows you the achieved size, not an estimate.
- An edited photo. The DV rules require your original photo. Background-replacement services are a disqualification risk; this tool refuses to edit and tells you how to retake instead — why we refuse to edit your photo.
Questions
What are the DV Lottery photo requirements?
From the State Department’s Digital Image Requirements: a square JPEG image, 600 × 600 pixels, 240 KB or less, with the head measuring 50–69% of the image height, on a plain white or off-white background.
Can I use my passport photo for the DV entry?
Only if the file itself meets the DV digital rules — exactly 600×600 px and ≤240 KB. A print scan rarely does. The export here produces the exact DV file from your photo.
Does passing this checker mean my entry is valid?
No. It means the photo measures within the published photo rules we check. Entry validity also depends on the entry form itself and the State Department’s own validation — and a photo that passes measurement can still be refused on sight by an officer.
Applying for a visa interview instead of the lottery? The DS-160 upload is checked on the main checker (“US visa / DS-160”) — same 600×600 family, with a 1200×1200 maximum. Entering a child? Children’s entries use the same file rules; for a baby’s framing see the baby photo checker.