US Passport Photo Size and Requirements

The specification

A US passport photo is square, unlike the rectangular format most of the world uses. The figures below are the ones that matter when cropping.

Getting the head size right

Head size and eye position are where most home-made US photos fail, and they are not the same as centering your face in the frame. Within a 2-inch square, the head from chin to the top of the head has to measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches — so roughly 50% to 69% of the image height — with the eyes between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches up from the bottom edge.

In practice that means a head-and-shoulders framing with visible space above the head, not a tight crop on the face. Selecting the United States in the passport photo tool applies these ratios to your crop.

Taking the photo

• Stand a step or two from a plain white wall, so no shadow falls behind you.
• Face the camera square on, with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
• Use even front lighting — daylight from a window facing you works well.
• Have someone take the photo from about two arm lengths away, which avoids the distortion of a close selfie.
• Remove glasses. They are not accepted except with a signed medical note.
• Wear everyday clothing, not a uniform. Head coverings are only accepted for religious reasons, with a signed statement.
• Keep hair clear of the eyes and the face unobstructed.

Common rejection reasons

• A shadow on the face or on the background.
• Head too large or too small in the frame, or eyes at the wrong height.
• Smiling, or the head tilted rather than square to the camera.
• Glasses worn without a medical note.
• A background that is not plain white or off-white, or another person or object visible.
• Low resolution, heavy compression, or an image that has been filtered or retouched.
• A photo older than six months, or one already used on a previous passport.

Printing and submitting

For a paper application, print at 2 x 2 inches on photo-quality paper — most print services offer a 4 x 6 sheet that fits several copies. For an online application, submit the JPEG at 600 x 600 pixels or larger.

Requirements differ for children, for visas, and for other travel documents, and the official guidance is the authority on all of them. Check the US Department of State photo requirements before submitting, and if a photo is rejected, that is also where the reason will be explained.

Frequently asked questions