US passport photo requirements

The US Department of State sets the rules for passport photos. Here is what they mean in practice. Always check the official photo requirements before you apply.

Size

Requirement	Value
Printed size	2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
Head height (chin to top of head)	1 – 1⅜ inches (25 – 35 mm)
Digital photo	Square, at least 600 × 600 pixels

Background and appearance

• Plain white or off-white background, no shadows or patterns
• Neutral expression or a natural smile, both eyes open
• Facing the camera directly, full face visible
• No glasses — they have not been allowed in US passport photos since 2016, except with a signed medical statement
• No hats or head coverings, except for religious or medical reasons, with the face fully visible
• Taken within the last 6 months

Common reasons photos are rejected

1. Shadows on the face or background
2. Head too small or too large in the frame
3. Glasses worn
4. Blurry, low-resolution or edited images

Our tool measures head height and eye position against these ranges and replaces the background with white, so you can see whether your photo passes before you pay.