US Passport Photo Size: 2 × 2 Inch Rules and How to Make One at Home
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Make a 2×2 inch US passport photo →A US passport photo has to be exactly 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). That single number causes more rejected applications than almost anything else, because most phone photos are rectangular and most people crop by eye. This guide walks through the official measurements, the rules that trip people up, and a simple way to produce a correct photo at home without uploading your face to a stranger's server.
Rules can change. Always check the current requirements on travel.state.gov before you apply.
The official measurements
- Print size: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), square.
- Head size: 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, including hair.
- Digital size (online renewal and DS-160 visa): square, at least 600 × 600 pixels and at most 1200 × 1200 pixels, JPEG format.
- Age of photo: taken within the last six months, showing your current appearance.
Because the photo is printed at 2 inches, a 600 × 600 px image works out to 300 pixels per inch, which is exactly the resolution most photo labs print at. If you start with a larger image, the head-size rule is the one to watch: the head should fill roughly 50–69% of the frame height.
Background, expression and clothing
The background must be plain white or off-white, with no patterns, shadows or objects behind you. Stand about a metre (three feet) in front of a white wall and keep light falling evenly on both the wall and your face; a window in front of you works better than a ceiling light directly above, which creates shadows under the eyes.
Face the camera directly with a neutral expression or a natural smile, both eyes open, and mouth closed. Wear your normal everyday clothes. Uniforms, camouflage and clothing that looks like a uniform are not allowed. Hats and head coverings are only accepted for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement, and they must not hide your face.
Glasses are no longer allowed
Since 2016, eyeglasses must be removed for US passport photos unless you have a medical statement from a doctor. This is one of the most common reasons photos are rejected, so take them off before the shot even if you wear them every day.
How to take the photo at home
- Use the rear camera if possible. Ask someone else to hold the phone at your eye level, about 1–1.5 metres away. Selfies distort the face because the lens is too close.
- Avoid zoom and portrait mode. Portrait mode blurs and alters the background edges, which can make the photo look edited.
- Leave space around your head. Take the photo with plenty of room above the head and below the shoulders so that you can crop to a square without cutting anything off.
- Do not use beauty filters. Any retouching that changes your appearance is grounds for rejection.
Cropping to exactly 2 × 2 inches
This is the step where a dedicated tool saves time. Open the Crop Desk US passport photo tool, choose your photo and drag the guide so your chin sits on the bottom line and the top of your hair on the top line. The tool locks the frame to a square and exports a 600 × 600 px JPEG for online use, or a print sheet you can take to a pharmacy or photo kiosk. Everything happens in your browser, so the photo never leaves your device.
Printing it
If you are applying by mail, you need a physical print on photo-quality paper (matte or glossy, not a home inkjet on plain paper). The cheapest option is usually to place two or more 2 × 2 photos on a standard 4 × 6 inch print, which most drugstores and online labs print for a few cents. Make sure the lab prints at 100% scale with no "fit to page" or border cropping, then measure the result with a ruler.
Quick checklist before you submit
- Exactly square, 2 × 2 inches when printed, or 600–1200 px for digital.
- Head height between 1 and 1⅜ inches.
- Plain white background, no shadows.
- No glasses, no filters, eyes open and looking at the camera.
- Photo taken within the last six months.
Need the same photo for a US visa? See our DS-160 visa photo guide, and for other countries the UK and Canada passport photo guide.
Ready? The tool runs entirely on your device.
Make a 2×2 inch US passport photo →Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo in pixels?
For digital submissions the photo must be square, between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels. A 600 × 600 px image printed at 300 DPI comes out at exactly 2 × 2 inches.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. Since 2016 glasses must be removed unless you include a signed medical statement.
Can I take my own passport photo with a phone?
Yes, as long as it meets the size, background, lighting and expression rules. Have someone else take it from about a metre away rather than taking a selfie.
Is my photo uploaded when I use the Crop Desk tool?
No. The cropping runs entirely in your browser and the photo stays on your device.