Guide
US Visa Photo Size in Inches, Pixels and KB
People search “US visa photo size” for two different answers: the printed 2×2 inch square, and the digital file the DS-160 upload accepts. Both describe the same composition. This page puts inches, millimeters, pixels, and kilobytes in one table so you can match the channel you are using.
Specs checked against official wording on 2026-11-06. U.S. digital image requirements
Make a US visa photo filePrint size vs digital size
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Digital pixels | 600×600 to 1200×1200, square |
| Digital file size | 240 KB or less |
| File format | JPEG |
| Head in frame | 50–69% of image height |
| Eyes from bottom | 56–69% |
At 300 dpi, a 2×2 inch print is 600×600 pixels. That is why many tools export exactly 600×600 for DS-160. Larger squares up to 1200×1200 are also allowed if the file stays at or under 240 KB.
US visa photo vs US passport photo
The face composition is the same 2×2 look. The upload rules are not always the same. Visa (DS-160) is strict about JPEG and the 240 KB ceiling. Passport renewal portals can accept a wider range of file sizes — check the page you are uploading to.
US passport photo requirements guideHow to get the size right without editing your face
- Start from a clear original photo, not a previously rejected tiny JPEG.
- Crop to a square with the head filling most of the frame.
- Export 600×600 (or up to 1200×1200) as JPEG under 240 KB.
- Do not replace the background or retouch skin if the visa rules forbid digital alteration.
ExactPhoto checks size, eye line, sharpness, and whether the corners look plain. It does not guarantee that a consular officer will accept the photo.