OFFICIAL CONSULAR STANDARDSSPECIFICATION RECORD: SEPTEMBER 22, 2026United States Passport Photo Size & Requirements
Printed application: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), head height 25–35 mm. Online renewal: upload an original photo, 54 KB–10 MB, in JPEG, PNG or HEIC/HEIF format; crop in the official portal. A 600×600 export is a tool preset, not a universal passport requirement.
This summary describes the recorded United States photo specifications. Check the official source below for your application route; the receiving authority decides whether a photo is acceptable.
Official Parameter Matrix // United States Passport
Official Document Standards // United States
- Dimensions:600×600 px
- Background:Plain white background
- Head Ratio:50-69%
- Quality:300 DPI
- Dimensions:600×600 px
- Background:Plain white background
- Head Ratio:50-69%
- Quality:JPEG · ≤240KB
- Dimensions:64×89 mm
- Background:Plain white or clinical light neutral background
- Head Ratio:50-70%
- Quality:150 DPI
How to Create Your Official United States Passport Photo Online
Take a front-facing selfie with your phone camera or upload an existing portrait. Our live viewfinder ensures proper face angle and neutral expression.
Use a recent original photo. Do not replace the background, retouch the face or apply filters. The receiving authority decides acceptance.
Download a 51×51 mm JPEG at 300 DPI and an A4 print sheet. Review the single image against your application requirements before uploading.
Requirements for United States Passport
- Application route
- Printed passport application photo. Online passport renewal uses a separate original-photo upload route with different file limits.
- Digital uploads
- This preset prepares a 2 x 2 inch printed photograph. Do not use its export as an online-renewal upload; that route requires the original digital photo.
Source: issuing authority, photo requirements. Checked 2026-10-07.
The recorded 51×51 mm size differs from the most common document size in our dataset (35×45 mm). In the same dataset, the recorded background (plain white background) uses the most common background colour.
Frequently Asked Questions for United States Passport Photos
What are the photo size and background rules for a United States Passport?
A United States passport photo is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) (600×600 pixels for a digital upload), with a plain white background. The recorded head-height range is 50-69%. Output settings: 300 DPI, JPEG. Recorded file-size limit: Printed photo; online upload rules differ. Check the linked source for the submission route you are using.
How do digital and printed submissions differ for a United States Passport?
Printed passport application photo. Online passport renewal uses a separate original-photo upload route with different file limits. This preset prepares a 2 x 2 inch printed photograph. Do not use its export as an online-renewal upload; that route requires the original digital photo.
Can I take this photo with my smartphone?
Use a recent original photo. Do not replace the background, retouch the face or apply filters. The receiving authority decides acceptance.
What if my photo is rejected by the embassy?
The receiving authority decides whether to accept your photo. If it is rejected, contact support and review our refund policy.
Q:How do I print my United States Passport photo?
ApprovaVisa provides a single 51×51 mm JPEG at 300 DPI and an A4 tiled print sheet with cut marks. Upload the single JPEG to the application portal. Print the sheet at actual size and check the mission’s paper-photo instructions.
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Launch Photo Studio (United States)