US passport photo
The US uses a square photo, which catches people out because almost nowhere else does. It measures 2 by 2 inches, and your head has to fall inside a narrow band within that square. Take a selfie and we handle the crop, the background and the sizing.
Specification
Requirements
- Square photo, 2 by 2 inches
- Head between 1 and 1.4 inches from chin to crown
- Plain white or off-white background
- Neutral expression with both eyes open
- No glasses
- Colour photo, taken within the last six months
- For online renewal: square file between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels
What gets photos rejected
- Using a rectangular photo sized for a European document
- Head too small in the frame, which is the most common rejection
- Wearing glasses, banned since November 2016 with no everyday exception
- Shadows on the background from standing too close to a wall
- A photocopy or a scan of a printed photo rather than an original file
Questions
What size is a US passport photo?
2 by 2 inches, which is 51 by 51 millimetres. It is square, unlike the rectangular photos used across most of Europe, so a photo made for a UK or Schengen document will not fit.
How big should my head be in the photo?
Between 1 and 1.4 inches, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. That is roughly half to two thirds of the frame height. Too small is the most common reason for rejection.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. Glasses have been banned since November 2016 and there is no exception for people who wear them every day. The only exception is a documented medical reason.
What file size does the online renewal accept?
A square JPG, JPEG or HEIF between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels, sized between 54 KB and 10 MB.
How recent does the photo need to be?
Taken within the last six months, and it must reflect your current appearance.