US Passport Photo: 2x2 Size and Print Requirements
A US passport photo is a square 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) photo, printed at 300 DPI or higher on photo-quality paper, with your head measuring 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to crown against a plain white or off-white background. It must have been taken within the last 6 months and you cannot wear glasses.
The US is one of the few countries that does not use the international 35x45 mm standard, so the size that works for a European or Asian passport will not fit a US application. US passports are square; almost everywhere else they are not. If you are applying for both, you need two different crops.
This page covers the composition rules, what the print itself has to be, and how to submit it with a DS-11 or DS-82 application. Upload a photo above with the US Passport preset selected and download a 600x600 JPG ready to print.
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Photo specifications
- Size
- 51 × 51 mm
- Pixels
- 600 × 600 px
- Output
- 300 DPI
- Backgrounds
Common uses
- First-time passport applications (DS-11). — Submitted in person at an acceptance facility. The agent attaches your photo to the form, so bring it loose and unstapled.
- Renewals by mail (DS-82). — You mail the photo with your application. Follow the instruction sheet on how to include it — usually placed loosely in the envelope rather than attached.
- Passport cards. — The passport card uses the same 2x2 inch photo and the same composition rules as the passport book.
- Children and infants. — Every applicant needs their own photo, including newborns. For babies who cannot support their head, the head-size rule is relaxed, but the background, lighting and eye-visibility rules still apply.
- US visa applications (DS-160). — The visa form uses the same 2x2 format, but it takes a digital upload in a 600-1200 pixel range with a 240 KB file cap rather than a print. See the US visa photo page for those specifics.
US Passport Photo Size in Inches, Millimetres and Pixels
The US passport photo is square, so width and height are identical in every unit. Print size is fixed; only the pixel dimensions change with resolution.
| Unit | Width | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print size | 2 in | 2 in | The size submitted with every US passport application |
| Millimetres | 51 mm | 51 mm | 2 inches is 50.8 mm exactly, rounded to 51 mm |
| Centimetres | 5.1 cm | 5.1 cm | Used on metric application forms |
| Pixels at 300 DPI | 600 px | 600 px | Minimum recommended resolution; prints sharply at 2x2 inches |
| Pixels at 600 DPI | 1200 px | 1200 px | Higher-resolution option, still printed at 2x2 inches |
| Head height | 1 in | 1 3/8 in | Chin to crown — 50% to 69% of the photo height |
Higher pixel counts do not change the print size: a 1200x1200 file and a 600x600 file both print at 2x2 inches. The extra pixels only make the print sharper. What matters is that the file is square and that the head sits inside the 1 to 1 3/8 inch range.
US Passport Photo Requirements in Full
These are the rules the Department of State applies. They cover the print, the composition and the photo itself.
- 1. Size: 2x2 inches, square.The photo must be exactly 2x2 inches (51x51 mm). Any non-square crop is rejected. At 300 DPI that is 600x600 pixels.
- 2. Printed on photo-quality paper at 300 DPI or higher.Matte or glossy photo paper, with no borders and no retouching. Standard office paper is too thin and is a common rejection reason for home prints.
- 3. Head 1 to 1 3/8 inches.Measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, including hair. That is 50-69% of the photo height, with a little space above your crown.
- 4. Plain white or off-white background.No patterns, no other people or objects, and no shadows — including the shadow your head casts on the wall behind you.
- 5. No glasses, neutral expression.Glasses have not been accepted since 1 November 2016. Keep both eyes open, look at the camera, and keep your mouth closed.
- 6. Taken within the last 6 months.It must reflect your current appearance. Significant changes — surgery, major weight change, new facial tattoos or piercings — mean you need a new photo.
- 7. Everyday clothing, no uniform.Uniforms, camouflage and uniform-like clothing are not allowed. Religious or medical head coverings are permitted if worn daily and must not shadow or obscure the face.
Nothing should be written on, stapled to or glued onto the photo. Requirements are updated by the Department of State without notice — check the official guidance linked below before you submit.
Official sources
The figures on this page were checked against these sources. Requirements change, so confirm the details that apply to your own application before you submit.
- US Department of State — Passport Photo Requirements
- US Department of State — Photo Examples (accepted and rejected)
Last reviewed 2026-09-13.
How to Make and Print a US Passport Photo
- 1Select the US Passport preset above. It is set to 2x2 inches (51x51 mm) at 300 DPI, so the pixel dimensions are already correct.
- 2Upload a photo taken in the last 6 months. A plain, evenly lit background gives the cleanest result.
- 3Position your head in the guide box. Use the zoom and arrows so your head measures 1 to 1 3/8 inches within the frame, with space above your crown.
- 4Set the background to white. The tool removes the original background and replaces it with the plain white the US requires.
- 5Download the JPG at 600x600 pixels.
- 6Print at exactly 2x2 inches on photo paper. Turn off any "fit to page" scaling in your print dialogue — a photo printed at 95% scale will be rejected.
Printing several copies on one sheet is normal: most pharmacies and office supply stores print a 2x2 grid on a 4x6 sheet. Make sure your print dialogue is set to actual size, not "fit to page".
Why US Passport Photos Get Rejected
The most frequent rejection reasons, in rough order of frequency.
- Printed on the wrong paper. Plain printer paper is too thin and the image shows through. Use matte or glossy photo-quality paper.
- Wrong print size. "Fit to page" scales the image slightly, producing a 1.9 inch photo instead of 2. Set the print dialogue to actual size or 100%.
- Glasses. Still the most common manual rejection. Remove them, even for a few seconds.
- Head too small or too large. Under 1 inch or over 1 3/8 inches from chin to crown fails the composition rule. Use the guide lines in the tool.
- Shadow on the background. Caused by a side light source. Face a window or put a light next to the camera.
- Photo older than 6 months. A photo that no longer matches your appearance is rejected even if every measurement is correct.
US Passport Photo Questions
What are the US passport photo requirements?▾
A 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) photo taken in the last 6 months, printed at 300 DPI or higher on photo-quality paper, with a plain white or off-white background, head measuring 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to crown, both eyes open, a neutral expression, and no glasses.
How many pixels is a US passport photo?▾
600x600 pixels at 300 DPI, which prints at exactly 2x2 inches. A higher-resolution 1200x1200 file (600 DPI) is also accepted and produces a slightly sharper print.
Can I print a US passport photo at home?▾
Yes. Print at exactly 2x2 inches on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, at 300 DPI or higher, with no borders. Plain printer paper is the usual reason a home-printed photo is rejected — it is too thin and the image shows through.
Do I need to sign or staple the photo?▾
No. Do not staple, glue, clip or write on the photo. For a DS-11 application submitted in person, the acceptance agent attaches it; for a DS-82 renewal by mail, you place it loosely in the envelope as the instructions describe.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?▾
No. Since 1 November 2016 glasses are not accepted, including tinted lenses and sunglasses, unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons and provide a signed statement from a doctor.
Can I smile in a US passport photo?▾
A natural, closed-mouth smile is acceptable. An open, teeth-showing smile is not — the Department of State requires a neutral expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed.
What should I wear?▾
Everyday clothing. Uniforms, camouflage and clothing that looks like a uniform are not allowed. Head coverings are permitted only if worn daily for religious or medical reasons, and must not cast shadows on or obscure your face.
How recent does the photo need to be?▾
Within the last 6 months, and it must reflect your current appearance. If you have had significant facial surgery, a major weight change, or added or removed facial tattoos or piercings, take a new photo.