United States Passport Photo Maker
A US passport photo is 2×2 inches (51×51mm) on a plain white or off-white background. That's the size the US Department of State sets for Form DS-11. This maker crops your head to the exact required range and sets the background, ready to print or upload.
Prepared for the published requirements of: Passport, Passport Card, Visa (DS-160).
Drop a photo, or click to browse
A clear, front-facing photo works best
JPG · PNG · HEIC · processed on your device, never uploaded
Before you upload — United States photo preparation checklist
- A plain, evenly lit background to start (we apply the selected colour)
- Face the camera straight on, both ears roughly visible
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
- A recent photo, taken within the last 6 months
- Shadows on your face or the wall behind you
- Glasses — remove them unless they're medically required
- Hair across the eyes, hats or caps
- Filters, beauty smoothing, or a cropped group photo
Get the head size right
For United States, your face should fill 50–69% of the photo — the maker does this automatically, but here's what it should look like.
Correct head size
Too small / far away
Too close / cropped
Making a passport photo for a baby or infant? Use the baby & infant guide — the lay-on-a-white-sheet method makes it easy.
United States passport photo specification
- Print size
- 51 × 51 mm
- Head height
- 25–35 mm (chin to crown)
- Head % of frame
- 50–69%
- Background
- #FFFFFF
- Digital size
- min 600×600px
- File size
- 54–10240 KB
- Min DPI
- 300
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Expression
- closed-mouth only
Good to know
The US wants a plain white or off-white background and no glasses. Use a photo from the last six months, and leave a little space above your head so there's room to crop.
Verified 4 Jun 2026travel.state.gov
Report outdated informationUS passport photo specification
The photo has to be 2×2 inches square, in colour, taken within the last six months, on a plain white or off-white background. Your head, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35mm). You'll need a neutral expression with both eyes open, and glasses are no longer allowed.
Printing at home, a pharmacy, or online
You can print the 2×2 photo at home on photo paper, take the downloaded file to a CVS, Walgreens or Costco kiosk, or upload it directly when you renew online. The maker gives you a correctly sized 2×2 image plus a 4×6 print sheet so you don't waste paper.
Common reasons US passport photos are rejected
Most rejections come from shadows on the face or background, the head being too large or too small in the frame, wearing glasses, or a non-neutral expression. Sizing the head automatically and replacing the background removes the two biggest causes.
Meeting the United States upload file-size limit
Online United States uploads accept roughly 54–10240 KB. If your portal needs a smaller file, compress the finished photo to an exact size. Your image stays in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo?
Exactly 2×2 inches (51×51mm), square, with the head 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35mm) from chin to crown.
Can I print a US passport photo at home?
Yes. Download the photo and the 4×6 sheet and print on photo paper, or take the file to a pharmacy photo kiosk. The State Department accepts home-printed photos that meet the spec.
Does a US passport photo need a white background?
It needs a plain white or off-white background with no shadows. The tool applies the selected white background; inspect the result before submitting.
How recent does my US passport photo have to be?
It must be taken within the last six months and reflect your current appearance.
What size is a passport photo for United States?
A passport photo for United States is 2×2 inches (51×51mm). EasyPhoto sets this size automatically.
What background colour does a passport photo for United States need?
White or off-white. The tool applies the correct colour for you.
What is the head size in a passport photo for United States?
Your head should measure 25–35mm from chin to crown. We size it to that band and flag it if it's off.
Can I wear glasses or smile in a passport photo for United States?
No, glasses are not allowed. Expression: closed-mouth only.
What file size does the United States online passport upload need?
Online uploads typically accept 54–10240 KB, so compress your photo to fit if needed.
Is the United States passport photo maker free and private?
Yes. It's free, with no watermark, and processed entirely in your browser. Your photo is never uploaded.
Can I use this for a US visa or DV Lottery photo?
The 2×2 inch spec also covers US visa (DS-160) photos. The DV Lottery is stricter (600×600, JPEG, under 240KB), so use the resize tool to meet it.