Official requirements
These are the rules as the issuing office publishes them. The tool above applies them for you.
| Printed size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Head, chin to top | 49–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm) |
| Other rules |
|
| Source | US Department of State, passport photos. Checked 25 September 2026. |
How to use US Passport Photo
- Take a colour photo facing the camera in front of a plain white or off-white wall, with your glasses off.
- Add it here and line up the top of your head and your chin with the dashed lines.
- Download the print sheet: six 2 × 2 inch photos on one 4 × 6 inch page.
- Print it at 100% on matte or glossy photo paper, or at a photo counter, and cut out a photo along the lines.
Why use US Passport Photo
Exactly 2 × 2 inches
600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI, so the print comes out at the size the State Department asks for.
Head height guides
Your head, from the chin to the top of the hair, stays between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm).
Six on a 4 × 6 print
A 4 × 6 inch print holds six photos edge to edge, enough for the form and a few spares.
No edits
The State Department forbids photos changed with software, apps, filters or AI; the tool only crops and resizes.
About this tool
A US passport application by mail (form DS-11 or DS-82) needs one printed colour photo, 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), often called a 2x2 photo, taken in the last 6 months. Your head must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, centred, in front of a plain white or off-white background with no shadows. Glasses come off, and your expression should be neutral or a natural smile with your eyes open and your mouth closed.
Print the photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper: photocopies and scanned photos are not accepted. The State Department also says not to change your photo with software, phone apps, filters or artificial intelligence, so this tool only crops and resizes. Take the photo in good, even light against a plain wall.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with your head 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the chin to the top of the head.
Can I print my passport photo at home?
Yes, on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. Print the sheet at 100% (actual size), not "fit to page", and check that one photo measures 2 inches across.
Can I smile in a US passport photo?
Yes. A natural smile is fine as long as your eyes are open and your mouth is closed.
What about renewing online?
Online renewal takes a digital photo file (JPG, PNG or HEIC, 54 KB to 10 MB) instead of a print, and you crop it inside the application. Download the photo from this tool and upload that file.
How do I take a US passport photo at home?
Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall with even light from the front, look straight at the camera with a neutral face, and ask someone to take the photo from about 1.2 metres away. Crop it here to 2 × 2 inches and print the sheet.
Is this US passport photo tool free online?
Yes. It is a free online US passport photo tool and editor, with no app and no upload: it crops and resizes your photo to the official size and specifications. It is not an official checker, so compare the result with the rules and requirements on the official website before you submit it.