US Passport Photo Requirements
US passport photos follow specifications set by the Department of State. The photo must be exactly 2x2 inches (51x51mm), in color, against a plain white background, and taken within the past six months. The same requirements apply to passport cards, visa applications, green cards, and USCIS immigration forms.
Head Size and Positioning
Your head measured from chin to top of hair must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches in the printed photo. At 600x600 pixels, the head should occupy 50 to 69 percent of the image height. The blue guide lines in this tool mark that zone. Center your face horizontally and position your head within the guides.
Digital Submission
For online applications like DS-160 or passport renewal, the State Department accepts JPEG files between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels, sized between 10KB and 240KB. The photo this tool generates meets those pixel requirements.
Printing
Download the print sheet to get multiple 2x2 photos tiled on a standard 4x6 inch layout. Print on glossy photo paper at highest quality. CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart print 4x6 photos for under $0.50. Cut along the guides for exact 2x2 inch prints.
Common Rejection Reasons
Photos get rejected for shadows on face or background, glasses (banned since 2016), head tilted or turned, mouth open, background not white enough, or photo older than six months. Use even, diffused lighting and a plain white wall.