US Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Official Size Guide
Official US passport photo requirements from the State Department — exact dimensions, background rules, expression guidelines, and a free resize tool.
The US State Department has specific passport photo requirements that must be met exactly — submissions that do not comply are rejected. Here are the official specifications and how to meet them from home for free.
Official US Passport Photo Requirements
- Size: 2×2 inches (51×51mm) — exact square
- Head height: 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head
- Background: Plain white or off-white
- Expression: Neutral, natural expression with mouth closed
- Eyes: Open, clearly visible, directly facing the camera
- Glasses: Not permitted (banned since 2016)
- **Taken within the last 6 months
Digital Photo Specifications
- Dimensions: 600×600 pixels (2×2 inches at 300 DPI)
- File format: JPEG/JPG
- File size: Under 240KB
- Colour: Full colour only
- Resize to 2×2 inches sets the correct 600×600 pixel dimensions automatically.
How to Take a Compliant Photo at Home
1. Stand 2–4 feet from a plain white wall 2. Use natural light — avoid flash shadows 3. Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression 4. Ask someone to take the photo, or use a timer 5. Resize to 2×2 inches using our free tool 6. Compress to under 200KB for online upload
US Passport Photo for Children
- Children's passport photos follow the same rules with allowances:
- Infants: Eyes do not need to be open
- Infants: May be in a car seat if the background is white
- No hats, pacifiers, or toys in the photo
Passport Renewal Online
The US State Department launched online passport renewal in 2023. For online renewal, submit a digital photo at 2×2 inch proportions with a white background. Resize to 2×2 inches before uploading.
Try It Free — No Registration Needed
Resize, compress, and convert images instantly in your browser.