DV Photo Checker

Never pay an agent to enter the DV Lottery. The only official site is dvprogram.state.gov

Free DV Lottery photo check

Check your DV photo before you enter.

We measure your head size and eye height against the official rules, check the background, and save a correct 600×600 JPEG.

Use a front-facing photo on a plain white wall. Any size from 600 × 600 pixels up — phone photos are fine.

Or drop a photo here.

Free. Private. Your photo never leaves your phone.

Independent tool, not affiliated with the U.S. government. The official check happens when you enter at dvprogram.state.gov

Top of head
Eyes
Chin
The eye line must sit in the blue band. The chin must land in the yellow band.

Questions

What size must a DV Lottery photo be?

Square, 600 × 600 pixels, JPEG format, 240 kB or less, in color (24-bit sRGB). This tool saves your photo in exactly that format.

How big should my head be in the photo?

From the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, your head must be 50–69% of the photo height. Your eyes must be 56–69% of the height, measured from the bottom of the photo.

Can I wear glasses or a head covering?

No glasses (except in rare medical cases). A head covering is allowed only if you wear it every day for religious reasons — your full face must be visible and there must be no shadows on it.

What background do I need?

A plain white or off-white background with no shadows, patterns, or objects. Stand about 1 meter in front of a white wall in good light.

Is my photo uploaded anywhere?

No. The check runs inside your browser and your photo never leaves your device. We only count anonymous usage numbers — never photos or personal data.

Is this the official DV Lottery website?

No. This is a free, unofficial tool, not affiliated with the U.S. government. You can only enter the DV Lottery at dvprogram.state.gov, where the only cost is a small official registration fee (US$1 under a 2025 rule) — never pay an agent. The U.S. Department of State makes the final decision on every photo.