What are the DS-160 photo requirements?

A square color JPEG between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, 240 KB or smaller, taken in the last 6 months on a plain white or off-white background. Your head should take up 50–69% of the image height and your eyes should sit 56–69% up from the bottom.

Why does the DS-160 reject my photo?

The most common reasons are a file over 240 KB, a non-square image, a head that's too small or too large, shadows on the face or background, and glasses. The tool fixes the size, file and framing, and its checklist flags the rest.

Can I wear glasses in a US visa photo?

No. Glasses aren't allowed in new US visa photos unless a doctor confirms you can't remove them for medical reasons.

Is this the same photo as a US passport photo?

The size and head rules are the same 2 × 2 in standard. The visa form needs the digital file under 240 KB; for a passport, use the US passport option on the main tool page.

How much does it cost?

The preview and photo check are free. The HD photo with print sheets costs 200 credits from a credit pack or subscription; the smallest pack covers two exports.

DS-160 Photo Maker for US Visas

Make the digital photo for your DS-160 and other US visa forms: a square 600 × 600 px JPEG under 240 KB, white background, head and eyes where the State Department wants them. Preview free; the HD download costs 200 credits.

200 credits
Free preview, no sign-up
Pay only to download

1 · Document

Size: 2 × 2 in · 600 × 600 px
Head: 50–69% of the height, chin to top of hair
Background: White
File: JPEG, up to 240 KB

2 · Your photo

Face detection and the preview run in your browser. Your photo is only uploaded when you export.

Preview and photo check are free. The HD download costs 200 credits.

Made to the official rules we checked on 2026-10-08. Final acceptance is up to the issuing authority. Official requirements

Ordinary phone photo with the passport frame marked

Finished US visa (DS-160) · 2 × 2 in photo

4 × 6 in print sheet with cut lines — 4 × 6 and A4 print sheets included

Example · US visa (DS-160) · 2 × 2 in

Real example: an everyday phone photo, framed and exported by this tool. Add yours to see your free preview.

US visa (DS-160) photo requirements

The tool frames and exports your photo to these rules. They come from the official page linked below.

Size: 2 × 2 in
Digital file: 600 × 600 px (square, 600–1200 px allowed) · JPEG, up to 240 KB
Head: 50–69% of the height, chin to top of hair
Eye height: 56–69% of the height, measured up from the bottom
Background: White
Glasses: Not allowed
Taken within: The last 6 months

Checked against the official rules on 2026-10-08.Official requirements

Pixwhim is not affiliated with any government agency. Final acceptance is up to the passport office or embassy.

Photo rules for other documents

Real results from everyday phone photos

Each one started as an ordinary picture and was framed, cleaned up and exported by this tool. Pick one to see it in the workbench.

How it works

1
Add a photo
Take off your glasses, face the camera and use even light. The photo stays in your browser while you check it.
2
Check the frame
We size your head to 50–69% of the photo and place your eyes 56–69% up from the bottom, on white.
3
Upload it to the DS-160
Download the 600 × 600 px JPEG, under 240 KB, and upload it on the photo step of the form. 2×2 in print sheets are included.

Why people use it

Made to pass the photo upload

Square, 600 × 600 px, 24-bit sRGB JPEG under 240 KB: the limits the DS-160 photo check enforces.

Head and eye position checked

The checklist measures head size and eye height against the State Department template before you pay.

No glasses, no filters

The checklist reminds you that glasses aren't allowed. We never retouch your face; the rules forbid it.

Prints for the interview

If your consulate asks for printed photos, the 4×6 in sheet holds two 2 × 2 in photos.

The US visa photo rules in one place

The State Department uses one photo standard for the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa form and other visa applications. The digital file must be a square JPEG from 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels, in color (24-bit sRGB), no larger than 240 KB. The photo must be recent (within 6 months), in focus, and taken against a plain white or off-white background with no shadows.

Framing has two measurements. Your head, from the chin to the top of the hair, must be 50–69% of the image height (1 to 1⅜ inches on a printed 2 × 2 in photo). Your eyes must sit 56–69% up from the bottom (1⅛ to 1⅜ inches). The tool frames to the middle of the head range and keeps the eyes inside theirs, then shows both numbers in the checklist.

Common reasons the upload fails

File too large: phone photos are several MB. The export is compressed to the limit without dropping below 600 px.
Not square or too small: cropping by hand often leaves a rectangle or fewer than 600 pixels.
Glasses: not allowed in new visa photos, even clear ones.
Shadows and uneven light: light from one side darkens half the face. The checklist warns about it.
Edited photos: filters, beauty modes or AI edits are not accepted. We only crop and replace the background.

DS-160 and the DV lottery

The Diversity Visa lottery uses the same standard but wants exactly 600 × 600 pixels. If you're entering the lottery, use the DV lottery photo page, which exports that exact size.