US passport photo requirements
The US Department of State sets one size for printed passport photos: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head measuring 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the chin to the top of the head. The background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows or texture.
| Rule | Requirement | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Print size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | Official |
| Head size | 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm), chin to top of head | Official |
| Pixels for a 2 × 2 in print | 600 × 600 px | approx. at 300 DPI |
| Online renewal file | JPG/JPEG, PNG, HEIC/HEIF, 54 KB–10 MB | Official |
| Background | Plain white or off-white | Official |
| Glasses | Remove them | Official |
Official source: travel.state.gov – Passport photos, checked 3 Nov 2026. Always confirm with the issuing authority before you print or upload – rules change. Online renewal file rules: Upload a digital photo.
How to use this page
Take a new, unedited photo in even light, then use the cropper above to frame it as a square with your head centred. The file check tells you the dimensions and file size against the 54 KB–10 MB renewal range. This tool only crops, resizes and checks size. It does not replace backgrounds, retouch faces or decide whether a photo will be accepted.
Common reasons photos are rejected
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Head too small or too large in the frame.
- Glasses, filters or beauty-mode smoothing.
- An old photo – it should reflect your current appearance.
Applying for a visa instead? The digital rules differ – see US visa photo. For other countries, see the passport photo size hub.