Passport & visa photos / US passport photo
US passport photo: size, rules, and a photo you can make at home
✓ Checked Oct 2026 against the official pages. See sources
A US passport photo is 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm). Take one against a plain wall at home and PhotoFit crops it to size, checks it, and gives you a 1200 x 1200 px file and a 4x6 print sheet with 6 copies. The preview is free; the final photo is $4.99.
Make your photo
🔒 Your photo never leaves your device. Face detection, cropping, and the checks all run in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to us or anyone else.
2. Your photo
Tips for a photo that passes
- Stand 2 to 4 feet in front of a plain white or off-white wall (or hang a white sheet). Step forward from the wall so no shadow falls behind you.
- Have someone else take it from about 4 feet away, camera at eye level. Selfies at arm's length distort your face.
- Face a window or a soft lamp so both sides of your face are evenly lit. No flash.
- Take off glasses and hats. Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed. Leave room above your head and show your shoulders.
- Use the original camera photo, not a screenshot or a photo sent by text.
Not an official acceptance guarantee. These are basic checks; the agency makes the final decision. Things we can't check: glasses glare, hair over the eyes, how recent the photo is, and whether it looks like you.
$4.99 for the clean photo
- The digital file at the official size
- A 4x6 print sheet (when the document needs prints). Print it at any photo kiosk as a 4x6 at 100%, then cut along the lines
- Retakes: one purchase covers up to 3 photos
The preview above is free and watermarked. Secure checkout by Stripe. Your photo stays on this device during checkout.
Printing: choose 4x6 in, "actual size" or 100%, no borders. Check one photo with a ruler before you cut.
US passport photo requirements
- Printed size
- 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm)
- Digital file
- For online renewal: JPG, 54 KB to 10 MB. You can crop or reposition it again in the State Department photo tool.
- Head size
- 1 to 1 3/8 in (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Eye position
- We place the eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 in from the bottom, the State Department template for 2 x 2 in visa photos.
- Background
- Plain white or off-white, no shadows, texture, or objects
- Glasses
- Not allowed (unless a signed medical statement)
- Expression
- Neutral or a natural smile, eyes open, mouth closed
- How recent
- Taken in the last 6 months
Also required
- Face the camera directly, head not tilted
- Take off glasses and hats (religious or medical exceptions need a signed statement)
- No uniforms, headphones, or face coverings
- Even lighting with no shadows on your face or the background
- Submit the original photo with no filters or edits
Good to know
- The State Department rejects photos with an edited or replaced background, so PhotoFit only crops and resizes your photo. Stand in front of a plain white wall or sheet.
- Paper application: print 2 copies from the 4x6 sheet on photo paper (matte or glossy) and cut them out.
Questions
What size is a us passport photo?
2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm). 1 to 1 3/8 in (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Can I take a us passport photo at home?
Yes, with a plain white or off-white wall, even light, and someone to take it. PhotoFit crops it to size and checks the basics. It doesn't edit your face or background, because agencies reject edited photos.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. PhotoFit runs in your browser, so the photo stays on your device.
Sources
From the official pages below, last checked Oct 2026. Rules change, so check them before you apply.