What Size Is a US Passport Photo?
A US passport photo must be exactly 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The head, measured from chin to the top of hair, must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm).
US Passport Photo Dimensions Explained
The United States Department of State has strict photo requirements for passports, passport cards, and visa applications. The photo must be a square format — exactly 2 inches by 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). This is one of the few countries that uses a square passport photo; most other nations use a rectangular 35×45mm format.
Head size requirement: Your head, measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair (or the highest point of your head), must occupy between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) of the photo. This means your face should take up roughly 50–70% of the total photo height.
Pixel dimensions for digital submissions: If you're submitting a digital photo (for the DS-82 online renewal or DS-160 visa application), the image must be at least 600 × 600 pixels and no more than 1200 × 1200 pixels, in JPEG format, under 240 KB.
Print quality: For physical passport photos, the print must be on photo-quality paper (matte or glossy) at a minimum of 300 DPI. Photos printed on regular paper or at low resolution will be rejected.
Background: The background must be plain white or off-white. No patterns, textures, shadows, or other objects are allowed. A white wall or white sheet works as a backdrop.
Recency: The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately reflect your current appearance.
US Passport Photo Specifications
- Photo size
- 51 × 51 mm (2.01 × 2.01 in)
- Head size range
- 50% – 69% of photo height
- Background
- White
- Beautification
- Not allowed
- Category
- passport
Common Size-Related Mistakes
- 1
Printing at the wrong scale
Even a 5% size error will be caught. Always print at 100% scale — never "fit to page." Use a ruler to verify the printed photo is exactly 2×2 inches.
- 2
Head too large or too small
The head must be between 1 and 1⅜ inches. If you're too close to the camera, the head will be too large; too far away and it'll be too small. About 4 feet distance is ideal.
- 3
Non-square crop
The photo must be a perfect square — 2×2 inches. If your photo is even slightly rectangular (e.g., 2×2.1 inches), it will be rejected.
- 4
Wrong background colour
The background must be white or off-white. Cream, grey, or coloured backgrounds are not accepted for US passports.
- 5
Low resolution print
Print at 300 DPI minimum. A 2×2 inch photo at 300 DPI needs at least 600×600 pixels. Lower resolution results in visible pixelation.
Official Sources
- US Department of State — Passport Photo Requirements— Official photo requirements for US passport applications
- DS-82 Online Renewal Photo Specs— Digital photo specifications for online passport renewal
- US Visa Photo Requirements— Photo requirements for US visa applications (DS-160)
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a US passport photo in centimetres?
A US passport photo is 5.1 × 5.1 cm (51 × 51 mm). This is the same as 2 × 2 inches. The square format is unique to the US — most countries use 35×45mm.
What is the head size requirement?
Your head, measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair, must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm). This ensures the face occupies the correct proportion of the photo.
What pixel dimensions do I need for a digital US passport photo?
For digital submissions (DS-82 online renewal, DS-160 visa), the photo must be 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, in JPEG format, and under 240 KB in file size.
Can I use a 2×2 inch photo for other countries?
Most countries use a 35×45mm rectangular format, not the US 2×2 square. India is an exception — Indian passport photos are also 2×2 inches (51×51mm).
How do I know if my photo is the right size?
After printing at 100% scale, measure the photo with a ruler. It should be exactly 2 × 2 inches. IDPhotoPrint generates photos at the correct size automatically — just don't change the scale in your printer settings.
Related Tools & Guides
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