- JPEG, 600 × 600 px
- 240 KB or less
- Checks your photo as it is
Your photo stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
Use the photo file you plan to upload, not a screenshot of it.
You can also drop an image on this box, or paste one with Ctrl+V (⌘V on a Mac).
0 bytes of your files sentFreeUnlimitedNo login or sign-upAbout this tool
Photos & IDs
DV Lottery photo checker
Already have your DV Lottery photo? Choose the file and see which of the published rules it meets, and which it does not, before you upload it. Nothing is changed or sent anywhere.
Independent tool, not affiliated with any government. Confirm the rules at the official source.
How to check your DV Lottery photo
- 01
Choose the photo file
Use the file you plan to upload, not a screenshot of it. Each person on the entry needs a photo of their own.
- 02
Read the checks
The file type, size in bytes, size in pixels, head size, background, glasses and expression are each marked Good, Almost or Fix.
- 03
Fix what is marked, then check again
If the photo needs more than a resize, make a new one with the DV photo maker, which sizes and checks it for you.
What is checked, and what is not
- The file: a JPEG of 240 KB or less, 600 × 600 pixels, as the published rule says.
- The face: one person, head size, centred and level, eyes open, a neutral expression and no glasses.
- The background: plain and white or off-white, read from the edges of the photo.
- Not checked: when the photo was taken (it must be from the last 6 months) and whether it was edited. Only you know those.
- A photo that passes meets the published size and framing rules. The State Department makes the final decision.
Questions people ask
What does the DV Lottery photo checker look at?
The file type, the file size, the pixel size, and then the face and background in the picture: one person, head size, position, eyes, expression, glasses and a plain white background. Each is marked Good, Almost or Fix.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The photo is read and checked by your browser on your own device, and the face is found by a model that runs there too. Nothing is sent to us.
What size should a DV Lottery photo be?
The published rule is a square JPEG of 600 × 600 pixels and 240 KB or less. A larger square is shown as Almost, because sources disagree about whether it is accepted. 600 × 600 px is the safe size.
Why is my file size marked Almost?
Forms do not say whether 1 KB is 1,000 or 1,024 bytes. A file between 240,000 and 245,760 bytes passes one count and fails the other, so make it a little smaller to be safe.
Can it tell if my photo is too old or edited?
No. The photo must be from the last 6 months and must not be edited with filters or digital changes. A checker cannot see either, so check them yourself.
Does a pass mean my photo will be accepted?
No. It means the photo meets the published size and framing rules as far as a program can measure them. The State Department decides, and it can reject a photo for reasons that cannot be measured here.
Do my spouse and children need their own photos?
Yes. Every person on the entry needs a separate photo that meets the same rules, so check each one.