United States · passport
US passport photo, checked against the official spec
The US passport photo is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with your head measuring 50–69% of the frame height against a plain white or off-white background, no glasses, taken in the last 6 months.
- Size
- 50.8×50.8 mm
- Digital file
- 600×600 px JPEG
- Background
- white or off-white
- Head height
- 50–69%
- Price
- $5.99 · once
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Step 1/3
Popular: · ·
- Head size62.4% · 50–69%
- Eye line61.2% · 56–69%
- Backgroundwhite · σ 6
- Lightingeven
- Resolution1832px
MEETS SPEC · ESTIMATED
Checked against the official specification, with the source cited on every document.
How our US Passport photo tool works
Add a photo you already have and we measure it against the official US Passport specification (50.8×50.8 mm, 600×600 px, white or off-white background), then produce the exact files you need. Checking is free; you pay $5.99 only if you want the files.
Add your photo
A selfie or any recent photo of yourself, straight from your phone.
See every measurement
Ten checks run against the official spec and show you the numbers.
Fix what's off
Drag to reposition and zoom to resize, or retake the photo if something can't be fixed.
Download your files
Exact digital file, print-ready sheet and compliance report.
What is a US Passport photo?
A US passport photo is a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) colour photograph taken within the last six months, printed on matte or glossy photo paper, or submitted digitally as a square image of at least 600×600 pixels. The head must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown, which is 50–69% of the frame, and the background must be plain white or off-white.
The same photo standard covers passport books, passport cards and passport renewals via Form DS-82. Since 2026, the State Department rejects photos that have been digitally altered, including background replacement, skin smoothing and AI enhancement. PassportClerk measures your photo instead of editing it.
Upload a photo and the checks run before you pay anything: head size, eye position, background evenness, lighting and resolution. The State Department rejects AI-altered photos (8 FAM 402.1), so we measure your photo and never retouch it.
US Passport photo requirements
| Size | 50.8×50.8 mm · 600×600 px @300 DPI |
|---|---|
| Digital file | 600×600px JPEG |
| Background | white or off-white |
| Head height | 50–69% of frame height |
| Digital upload | accepted |
| Background editing | not permitted, so we leave yours as it is |
- Glasses are not allowed.
- The State Department rejects AI-altered photos (8 FAM 402.1). We check your photo, we never modify it.
- 600×600 px is the minimum for digital submission.
Source: official requirements · verified 2026-07
US Passport photos that pass the checks
Thin frames, no glare, eyes fully visible 
Even light, plain background, neutral expression 
Infant alone in frame, eyes open, plain sheet 
Religious head covering with the full face visible 
Hair back, forehead and both ears clear
US Passport photos that don't pass
Head tilted, hard shadow on the background 
Taken too far away, head too small in the frame 
Someone else's hand in the frame 
Patterned wall and furniture behind
Illustrative examples created for this guide. They are not customer photos, and not decisions by any authority.
What you get for $5.99
- High-resolution file in the exact spec (600×600px)
- Printable compliance report with everything we measured
- Print-ready 10×15 cm sheet with 4 copies and cut lines
one-time payment, no subscription
Photos that pass
- Exact dimensions: 600×600px
- Plain white or off-white background, evenly lit
- Head filling 50–69% of the frame
- Taken in the last 6 months, neutral expression
Photos that get rejected
- Edited, filtered or AI-retouched photos
- Shadows on the face or background
- Busy walls, gradients or the wrong background colour
- Head too large, too small, or off-centre
- Glasses (banned for this document)
- Old photos, or photos of printed photos
Why use PassportClerk for your US Passport photo
- Convenience
- Make it at home from a photo you already have, without booking a studio or queueing for a booth. You get a file sized for the official upload and a print sheet for the times you need paper.
- Built from the official specification
- Every measurement on this page comes from the official US Passport requirements, and the source is linked, dated and re-checked.
- Works from any phone
- Nothing to install. A recent phone camera and a plain wall are enough.
- You see the numbers
- Head height, eye line, background and resolution are all measured and shown to you before you pay.
- Private, then deleted
- We only receive your photo if you buy, and everything is deleted within 48 hours.
If the files we produce don't match the specification on this page, we'll fix them or refund you. The decision on any application always rests with the issuing authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. Since 2016 glasses are not allowed in US passport photos, except with a signed medical statement. Take them off for the photo.
What size is a US passport photo in pixels?
For online submission the photo must be square, at least 600×600 pixels. The print size is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). Our download is 600×600 px at 300 DPI, which is exactly 2×2 inches when printed.
Can I use an AI tool to fix my passport photo background?
The State Department rejects photos that have been digitally altered, including background replacement, skin smoothing and filters. This tool checks your photo instead of editing it. If your background doesn't pass, retake the photo in front of a plain wall.
Where can I print the photo?
Your purchase includes a 4×6 inch print sheet with cut lines. Print it at any pharmacy or photo kiosk for around $0.30. Ask for a standard 4×6 photo print at 100% scale.
Does a baby need a passport photo with the same rules?
Infants need their own photo with the same size rules, but eyes-open and expression rules are relaxed for children under 6. Lay the baby on a plain white sheet and photograph from above.
How we handle compliance
- We check your photo against the official rules. We never retouch your face, and we only normalize the background where the destination country permits it.
- Every requirement is cited from official government sources, with the verification date shown on the page.
- What you get is a report of measurements, not a guarantee. Final acceptance always rests with the issuing authority.
official requirements · verified 2026-07