United States passport photo size and requirements
The United States passport photo is 51 x 51 mm, with the head 25 to 35 mm (bottom of the chin to the top of the head). Checked against the official source on 2 October 2026.
| Printed size (width x height) | 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inches) |
|---|---|
| Head height | 25 to 35 mm, bottom of the chin to the top of the head |
| Digital photo | Online renewal: JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF; no pixel size is set |
| File size | 54 KB to 10 MB (online renewal) |
| Background | white or off-white, free of shadows, plain without texture, objects or lines |
| Who takes it | Anyone; no filters or retouching. Online renewal does not accept a scan or photo of a printed photo. |
| How recent | Taken in the last 6 months |
Make this photo now. Add a picture, mark the top of the head and the chin, and download a file cropped to 51 x 51 mm. Free preview; US$5.99 removes the watermark and adds a 4 x 6 inch print sheet.
Good to know
- Remove glasses (medical exceptions need a signed doctor's note).
- The State Department gives no eye-line rule for passports.
Official source
- U.S. Department of State: Passport photos
- U.S. Department of State: Upload a digital photo (online renewal)
Independent tool, not affiliated with any government. Always check the official requirements linked on this page before you apply.