US Passport & Visa Photo Size
The United States asks for a square photo of 2 × 2 inches, or 600 to 1200 pixels per side for online uploads. This page lists the official requirements and lets you make a correctly sized photo in your browser.
1. Position the frame
Drag the frame to move it and the round handles to resize it. Put the top of the head at the top of the dashed oval and the chin at its bottom.
2. Preview and options
Use it only where the form allows edited photos. The US, UK and Canada reject photos with a changed background.
Higher removes more background but can eat into hair or shoulders.
3. Your photo
🔒 Runs in your browser. Your files and text are not uploaded.
How to use the US Passport & Visa Photo Size
- Leave the photo type on “United States – passport & visa (2 × 2 in)”. The output is a 600 × 600 px JPEG, which is the minimum for online uploads.
- Drop a recent portrait: plain white or off-white wall, no glasses, neutral expression.
- Move the frame so the head fills the dashed oval, then press “Create photo”.
- Read the checklist and download the JPEG for an online application, or open the print sheet to make six 2 × 2 in prints on one 4 × 6 in sheet.
US photo requirements at a glance
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Printed size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Head size | From the bottom of the chin to the top of the head: 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) |
| Digital photo (online) | Square; at least 600 × 600 and at most 1200 × 1200 pixels; JPEG; the head fills about 50–69% of the height |
| DV Lottery entry photo | JPEG, 600 × 600 pixels, no more than 240 KB |
| Background | White or off-white, with no shadows, texture or lines |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression and pose | Facing the camera, neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not allowed; a signed doctor’s note is needed for a medical exception on paper applications |
| Alterations | No changes with computer software, phone apps, filters or artificial intelligence |
| Paper (paper applications) | Matte or glossy photo-quality paper; no photocopies or scans |
Source: U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements. Last reviewed: October 2026. Photo rules change from time to time, so always confirm the current requirements on the official page before you apply.
Digital upload or printed photo?
Which one you need depends on how you apply. Online renewals and some other services ask for a digital photo that you upload as a JPEG, and the system checks the pixel dimensions: square, at least 600 and at most 1200 pixels per side. First-time applications and paper forms need a printed photo on photo-quality paper; the State Department asks for one colour photo. The Diversity Visa Lottery has its own digital rule: a 600 × 600 pixel JPEG of no more than 240 KB.
This tool’s default output (600 × 600 px, JPEG, tagged 300 dpi, under 240 KB) satisfies the DV Lottery numbers and the digital minimum. For a larger digital upload, use “Custom size” and enter, for example, 1000 × 1000 pixels.
Making the photo with this tool
- Take the photo with the camera at eye level and a plain light wall behind you. Leave space around the head, because the tool crops a square from the picture.
- Frame the head: crown at the top of the dashed oval, chin at the bottom. This puts the head at roughly 60% of the height, in the middle of the 50–69% digital range.
- Create the photo and check the list: pixel size, file size, head size and background.
- For prints, press “Create printable sheet” with paper 4 × 6 in: six photos fit, edge to edge, and you cut them along the lines.
Do not use the optional background replacement for a US passport. The State Department asks that you do not change the photo with software, and an edited background is a common reason for rejection.
Common reasons for rejection
- Glasses, or glare on the lenses.
- Shadows on the face or on the wall behind you.
- A head that is too small or too large, or a face that is cut off.
- Filters, retouching, beauty modes or other computer changes.
- A blurry, grainy or pixelated picture, for example a tiny image scaled up.
- A coloured or patterned background, or a texture such as a curtain.
- A photo older than six months, or one that looks different from your current appearance.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo in pixels?
For digital uploads, 600 × 600 pixels is the minimum and 1200 × 1200 the maximum, and the picture must be square. A 2 × 2 inch print at 300 dpi is 600 × 600 pixels.
What is the file size limit for a US passport photo?
The official digital rules focus on pixels and format. For the Diversity Visa Lottery the file must be a JPEG of no more than 240 KB. For other online forms follow the limit shown on that form.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. Take your glasses off. If you cannot do so for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor with a paper application.
What background colour is allowed?
White or off-white, without shadows, texture or lines.
Can I print the photo at home?
Print on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, at exactly 2 × 2 inches. Do not submit photocopies or scans, and check the size with a ruler.