US Diversity Visa lottery photo: size rules and how to meet them
The US Diversity Visa lottery entry form accepts a digital photo only if it is a square JPEG of exactly 600 × 600 pixels, no larger than 240 KB, in colour. An entry with a photo that breaks the rules can be disqualified.
The official rule
up to 240 KB, exactly 600 × 600 px
JPEG, square, exactly 600 × 600 pixels, at most 240 KB, in colour. The head (chin to top of hair) fills 50–69% of the height; the eyes sit 56–69% up from the bottom.
Source: US Department of State — Photo requirements · Last checked 21 October 2026
Rules can change. Check the portal's own instructions before you submit.
Choose your photo
Adjust the framingDrag to move · pinch, scroll or use the slider to zoom
Check and download
🔒 Your photo is processed on this device and never uploaded. Hidden photo data such as GPS location was removed.
Steps
- Take a recent colour photo facing the camera, against a plain white or off-white background, without glasses.
- Open this page and choose the photo. The DV lottery preset is already selected.
- The tool centres and crops your photo to a square. Check that your whole head and the top of your shoulders are visible.
- Download the photo and upload it in the entry form.
Common mistakes
- A photo that is not exactly 600 × 600 pixels, even if it is under 240 KB.
- A rectangular photo squeezed into a square, which distorts the face. This tool crops instead of stretching.
- Reusing a photo from a previous year's entry.
- Wearing glasses. The State Department no longer allows them in visa photos except in rare medical cases.