Guide
US Passport Photo Requirements: Size, Pixels and File Size
A U.S. passport photo is a 2×2 inch color headshot with a plain white or off-white background. Online renewal and some applications also need a digital file that matches the portal’s pixel and kilobyte rules. This guide lists the print and digital numbers side by side, plus the composition rules that still get photos rejected after the file “passes.”
Specs checked against official wording on 2026-11-06. U.S. passport photo requirements
Check a US passport photoPrint and digital numbers
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Digital pixels (common) | 600×600 at 300 dpi |
| Color | Full color, not black and white |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Head height | About 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown |
| Eye height | Eyes 1⅛–1⅜ inches (28–35 mm) from the bottom of the photo |
| Recency | Taken within the last six months |
Online passport renewal typically asks you to upload a digital photo. Many applicants use a 600×600 JPEG. Confirm the live size and file-size limit on the page you are uploading to — portals can differ slightly from the printed-photo page.
Always re-check travel.state.gov before you submit. ExactPhoto follows published size and composition specs and does not guarantee acceptance by the Department of State.
Composition rules that still fail photos
- Face the camera directly; both eyes open; neutral expression or natural smile.
- No eyeglasses for new passport photos in most cases (rare medical exceptions).
- No hats or head coverings except for religious or medical reasons, with full face visible.
- No shadows on the face or background; even lighting.
- Do not submit a cropped group photo, a screenshot of an old passport, or a heavily filtered selfie.
The State Department warns against digitally altering the photo to change your appearance. Background replacement and beauty filters are a common reason “perfect” files still get rejected later.
Passport photo vs visa (DS-160) photo
The printed 2×2 look is the same family of rules. DS-160 is stricter about the digital upload: square JPEG, 600–1200 px, 240 KB max, compression ratio limits. Passport online renewal may allow a different file-size ceiling — use the limit shown on that form.
DS-160 photo requirementsPrepare the file without leaving your browser
- Take a recent photo against a plain light wall.
- Open the ExactPhoto US passport tool — the image stays on your device.
- Confirm head size, eye line, sharpness, and file size in the preview.
- Download the JPEG only when the checks look right.