United States Passport (2x2 inch) Photo Size Requirements and Online Tool

Last Update: July 28, 2026

US Passport Photo Requirements

• Your head must face the camera directly with your fullface in view.Your face should be centered in the frame, and your full head, from top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, should be visible.

• Use a clear image of your face. Do not use filters commonly used on social media, as they can distort the image of your face and give the impression of an unnatural expression.

What Expression Should You Use?

• You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.A neutral facial expression means that the face should be relaxed and show no discernible emotion. The lips should be closed or slightly open, without any hint of a smile or other expression. The eyes should be looking straight into the camera.

What Should You Wear?

• Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis 

Photo Recency 

• Taken in the last 6 months

Background

• Use a plain white or off-white background

Can You Wear Glasses?

• You cannot wear glasses.

  • If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with your application.

Hats and Religious Head Coverings

• You cannot wear a hat or head covering.

  • If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public.

  • If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.

  • Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.

• You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices

Choose the Right Passport Photo Format

Printed passport applications and online passport renewals do not use the same photo process.

Choose the option that matches your application.

Printed 2x2 Passport Photo

• Be sized correctly

  • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)

  • Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head

• The photograph is printed on high-quality matte or glossy paper

• Color-printed

Digital Passport Photo for Online Renewal

When renewing a U.S. passport online, upload the original digital image

The digital passport photo must be:

• A JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF file
• Between 54 KB and 10 MB
• In color
• Taken within the last six months
• Clear, sharp and unedited
• Taken against a plain white or off-white background

Leave some space around your head and shoulders when taking the photo. 

Passport Photos for Babies and Children

Babies and young children also need their own passport photo, even newborns.

For the easiest setup, lay a plain white or off-white sheet down and place the baby on it. Another simple option is to cover a car seat with a light-colored sheet and position the child there. Take the photo from directly above so the face is clearly visible.

Keep things as simple as possible:

• The child should be alone in the photo
• No hands, arms, or anyone else should appear in the frame
• The full face must be visible
• Nothing like a pacifier, toy, or hand should cover the face
• Use a plain, uncluttered background
• Avoid strong shadows on the face or background
• Make sure the image is sharp and in focus
• The child should be facing upward toward the camera

For older children, have them look toward the camera with their eyes open, just like an adult passport photo.

It usually takes a few tries to get a good shot, so take several photos. A clear, simple image where the child is visible and well-lit is more important than getting a “perfect” expression.

How Our 123passportphoto Passport Photo Maker Works 

Preparing the correct print size manually can be difficult. An image may look square on a screen but print at the wrong physical dimensions. 

Our online passport size photo maker helps you crop and arrange the photo for printing. 

Step 1: Take a Suitable Original Photo

Follow the instructions on this page regarding the background, lighting, clothing, facial expression, and camera position.

Do not use a filtered or digitally altered photo.

Step 2: Upload Your Photo

Choose the clearest original image from your phone, camera, or computer and upload it to our passport photo maker.

Step 3: Crop the Passport Photo

The 123PassportPhoto cropping tool will help you crop and position the photo to meet the required dimensions.

Step 4: Download Your Image

Download your printable template for a 2×2 photo. You can also download a digital file suitable for online submission.

How to Print a 2x2 Passport Photo at Home

You can print a passport photo at home if you have a color printer and photo paper.

Use Photo Paper

Use matte or glossy photo paper.

Avoid:

• Regular copy paper
• Black-and-white printing
• Damaged or folded sheets
• Copies or scans of photos

Print at Actual Size

Make sure print settings are set to 100% / actual size.

Do not use:

• Fit to page
• Fill page
• Scale to fit

These can change the 2x2 size.

Check the Size

After printing, measure it. It must be exactly 2 x 2 inches.

Check Quality

The photo should be clear, with no:

• Blurriness
• Lines or streaks
• Pixelation
• Smudges or marks

If it looks off, reprint with higher quality settings.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the current US passport photo requirements? 

A printed U.S. passport photo must be a recent color image measuring exactly 2 x 2 inches. It must have a plain white or off-white background and show you facing the camera with your eyes open and full face visible. 

Your head must measure between 1 and 1⅜ inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. 

What is the correct US passport photo size? 

The official printed US passport photo size is 2 x 2 inches, or 51 x 51 mm. 

This is sometimes called the American passport photo size or USA passport photo size. 

Can I use an online 2x2 photo maker? 

You may use an online 2x2 photo maker to crop, position and prepare a printable layout. 

The original photo must still meet the official requirements for background, lighting, expression, clothing and image quality. 

Do not use a tool that changes your appearance. 

Can I take my passport photo at home? 

Yes. You can take a passport photo at home with a smartphone or digital camera. 

Use a real white or off-white background, even lighting and a camera positioned several feet away at face level. Asking another person to take the photo is usually better than taking a selfie. 

Can I create a passport photo online? 

You can upload a suitable original photograph to an online passport photo maker and prepare it for printing. 

Review the final image carefully. A cropping tool cannot correct an unacceptable pose, expression, background or edited appearance. 

How many pixels should a passport photo be? 

For a printed passport application, the official requirement is based on physical size rather than one required pixel dimension. The finished print must measure 2 x 2 inches. 

The current online passport-renewal guidance lists accepted file formats and a file-size range but does not publish one fixed passport photo pixel size. 

Use a clear, high-resolution original image and avoid resizing it to an arbitrary pixel dimension. 

What resolution should a passport photo have? 

Use the highest practical camera-quality setting. 

The image should be sharp, clear and free from visible pixels, grain, blur or printer dots. Avoid sending the photo through text messaging before upload because messaging services may reduce image resolution. 

What is the digital passport photo file size? 

For an online U.S. passport renewal, the digital photo file should be between 54 KB and 10 MB. 

Accepted formats currently include JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC and HEIF.

Does a digital passport photo need to be 2x2 inches? 

The 2x2-inch measurement applies to a printed passport photo. 

For online renewal, upload the original digital image and follow the digital file, background, pose and quality requirements. The official application allows you to reposition or crop the photo during upload. 

Can I smile in a passport photo? 

Yes. You may use a natural smile, but keep your mouth closed and avoid showing your teeth. 

Your eyes must remain open and clearly visible. 

Can I wear makeup? 

Normal everyday makeup is generally acceptable when it does not significantly change your appearance. 

Do not use digital makeup, filters or retouching tools. 

Can I wear jewelry? 

Jewelry and facial piercings are normally acceptable when they do not hide your face or create distracting reflections. 

What color shirt should I wear? 

There is no required shirt color. 

A medium or dark top may provide clear contrast against the white or off-white background. Do not wear a uniform, camouflage or clothing that covers part of your face. 

Can I print a 2x2 passport photo at home? 

Yes, provided your printer produces clear color photographs and you use photo-quality paper. 

Print the layout at its intended size and measure the finished photo to confirm that it is exactly 2 x 2 inches. 

Is an online passport photo maker an alternative to a passport photo near me? 

An online passport photo maker can be a convenient alternative when you can take a suitable original photo and have access to a reliable photo printer or local printing service.

If you want to make passport/visa photos for other countries, click the button below.

    Make Passport/Visa Photo for Other Countries