United States Passport Photo
Requirements & Size (2.00 × 2.00 in)
Check the United States passport photo size, plain white background and head-height range, then crop your photo to spec and export a print-ready 300 DPI file — all in your browser. Independent tool; final acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
- Official United States size (2.00 × 2.00 in), plain white background
- Background check only — United States does not allow the background to be changed with software
- 300 DPI print-ready PNG, plus a 4×6 print sheet
- 100% on-device — your photo never leaves your browser
United States Passport Photo Requirements
For a United States passport application, the issuing authority requires a photo of 50.8 × 50.8 mm with a plain white background. Head height — measured from chin to crown — must sit between 25 mm and 35 mm, with eyes facing the camera and a neutral expression. The photo should be a within the last 6 months colour image, sharp and well-lit, with no shadows on the face or background.
United States does not allow the photo to be altered with software or AI. You can crop and size your image, but the background must be correct in the original photo — it cannot be replaced or retouched afterwards.
Glasses are not allowed unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons (then a signed statement from a doctor is required).
Source: U.S. Department of State. Always double-check the latest specification on the official site before submitting your application.
United States Photo Specifications
| Attribute | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | 50.8 × 50.8 mm (2.00 × 2.00 in) |
| Pixel size (300 DPI) | 600 × 600 px |
| Background colour | Plain white |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 25–35 mm |
| Eye line (from bottom) | 28–35 mm |
| Resolution | 300 DPI, print-ready |
| File format | JPEG or PNG |
| Recency | Within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and facing camera |
| Glasses | See official rule below |
| Head covering | Religious only; face fully visible |
How to Prepare Your United States Passport Photo
- STEP 01
Add a photo
Open a clear, front-facing photo of your face. JPG, PNG, WebP and HEIC all work — everything stays in your browser.
- STEP 02
Crop to United States specs
Face detection aligns your eyes and crown to the published United States head-height range — adjust manually if needed. Cropping and sizing do not change how you look.
- STEP 03
Check the background
Confirm you photographed yourself against a flat, uniform plain white background. United States does not allow the background to be replaced with software.
- STEP 04
Download print-ready files
Get a single 300 DPI photo and a correctly scaled 4×6 print sheet (multiple copies, cut lines) for any photo print service.
Reasons United States Passport Photos Get Delayed
Wrong dimensions or aspect ratio
Photos cropped to the wrong size can be rejected. Use the official United States millimetre dimensions, not arbitrary screen pixels.
Background not uniform
Shadows, gradients or coloured walls behind the subject are common problems. The required background colour must be flat and even across the whole frame.
Head too small or too large
Head height (chin to crown) must fall within the official range for United States. Selfies taken too close to the camera often fail this check.
Glare, shadows or obscured eyes
Glare on glasses, dark shadows around the eyes or under the chin, or anything covering the face can cause a rejection. Check the country-specific glasses rule.
Non-neutral expression
Smiling with teeth, raised eyebrows or an open mouth can violate the biometric requirement. Keep a relaxed, neutral expression with the mouth closed.
Low resolution or over-compression
Photos below 300 DPI, with visible JPEG blocks, or printed too small may be rejected. Export at the recommended resolution.
United States Passport Photo FAQ
- What is the size of a United States passport photo?
- A United States passport photo must be 2.00 × 2.00 in (50.8 × 50.8 mm) on a plain white background, with the head centred and eyes facing the camera. Resolution should be at least 300 DPI for print-ready output.
- What background colour is required for a United States passport photo?
- United States requires a plain white background that is flat, uniform and free of shadows. It must be correct in your original photo — United States does not allow the background to be replaced with software or AI.
- Can I take a United States passport photo at home?
- Take a clear photo in good, even light against a plain background, then use GetShot Passport to crop and resize it to the published United States specification in your browser. You can print it at home or at any photo print service. Always check the official rules before submitting.
- Can I wear glasses in my United States passport photo?
- Glasses are not allowed unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons (then a signed statement from a doctor is required).
- How much does a United States passport photo cost with this tool?
- GetShot Passport is free to use — no watermark, no sign-up. You only pay if you choose to print the photo at a local photo print service.
- Is my photo uploaded to a server?
- No. Face detection, background checking and image processing all run inside your browser via WebGPU or WebAssembly. Your photo never leaves your device.
- Will my United States passport photo be accepted by the government?
- No tool can guarantee acceptance. The output aims to match the official United States specification (2.00 × 2.00 in (50.8 × 50.8 mm), plain white background, correct head height), but acceptance is always at the discretion of the issuing authority — check the live spec on the authority's website before submitting.
Other North America Passport Photos
Travelling near United States? Check the passport photo rules for nearby countries.
