United States passport photo size and rules
United States passport photos must be 2 × 2 in (50.8 × 50.8 mm), with the head 1–1.375 in (25.4–34.9 mm) from chin to top of head. Background rule: “Use a plain white or off-white background”. Source checked 2026-10-20.
Official measurements
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (50.8 × 50.8 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height | 1–1.375 in (25.4–34.9 mm) — official wording: “Head must be 1-1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head” |
| Background | Use a plain white or off-white background |
| Our HD file | 600 × 600 px at 300 dpi (prints at exactly 2 × 2 in (50.8 × 50.8 mm)) |
Other rules from the official page
- Taken less than six months ago
- No eyeglasses and head covering and no uniforms (head coverings only with signed religious/medical statement)
- Head must face the camera directly with full face in view
- Printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper
Exact wording
“Attach one photo, 2x2 inches in size.”
“Head must be 1-1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head”
“Use a plain white or off-white background”
“Taken less than six months ago”
Source
Checked 2026-10-20. Rules can change — the receiving office's current rules are final. Private Apps is not affiliated with any government.
How our maker fits these rules
The app measures your head from chin to the top of your hair and crops and scales your own photo so the head sits in the middle of the allowed 1–1.375 in (25.4–34.9 mm) range. It does not change the background, retouch or rotate anything — so take the photo in front of a plain wall that matches the background rule above. The checklist tells you if the background, head tilt or framing need a retake, and the free preview lets you inspect the result first.