United States · U.S. Department of State · Verified October 22, 2026
US Passport Photo — 2×2 in, Free Online Tool
- 2×2 in
- JPG
- White or off-white
Off by default: this authority rejects edited backgrounds. Take the photo against a plain wall instead — we'll check it.
Drop your photo here
Tap to choose, drag and drop, or paste. JPG, PNG, HEIC, WebP.
Processed on your device. Never uploaded.
This tool is pre-set for the U.S. Passport (DS-11 / DS-82 paper application): add any photo and get a file that fits the official us passport photo requirements. For citizens of the United States applying or renewing.
US Passport Photo requirements
| Document | U.S. Passport (DS-11 / DS-82 paper application) |
|---|---|
| Issued by | U.S. Department of State (United States) |
| Print size | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1 (square) |
| Format | JPG |
| Background color | White or off-white |
| Head height | 50–69% of photo height (25.5–35.2 mm) |
| Color | Color photo required |
| Taken within | the last 6 months |
| Submitted as | Printed photo |
The rules in plain words
- Printed photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), in colour, on matte or glossy photo paper.
- Head from chin to top of head measures 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm).
- Taken within the last 6 months and showing your current appearance.
- Plain white or off-white background with no shadows, texture, lines or objects.
- Face the camera directly, head not tilted, both eyes open and mouth closed. A natural smile is fine.
- No glasses of any kind unless a doctor's note explains a medical need.
- No hats or head coverings unless worn daily for religion (signed statement) or medical reasons; the face must stay fully visible.
- Original, unedited photo: no filters, retouching or digitally replaced backgrounds.
How to take a US Passport Photo at home
- 1Stand about half a metre in front of a white or off-white wall. Distance from the wall stops shadows behind your head.
- 2Face a window or soft light so both sides of your face are evenly lit — no harsh overhead light.
- 3Ask someone to hold the camera at your eye level, 1–1.5 m away. Selfies at arm's length make noses look bigger and get rejected.
- 4Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, hair away from your eyes.
- 5Take off your glasses unless you have a medical reason to wear them.
- 6Drop the photo here, download the result, then use the print sheet to print at exact size.
Tips specific to this document
- Stand several feet in front of a white wall or a white sheet — distance from the wall stops shadows behind your head.
- Face a window in daylight so light falls evenly on both sides of your face.
- Ask someone else to take the photo from about 4 feet away at eye level; selfies at arm's length distort the face.
- Print at a pharmacy or photo kiosk on a 4×6 sheet with our print-sheet layout — it is printed at exactly 2×2 inches.
Common reasons photos are rejected
- Wearing glasses (banned since 2016 except with a medical statement).
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Head too small or too large for the 1–1⅜ inch band.
- Background edited or cut out with an app.
- Photo older than 6 months or no longer a good likeness.
Questions people ask
What size is a US Passport Photo?
U.S. Department of State requires 2×2 in. ExactFit sizes your photo to exactly this and shows a checklist so you can confirm before you submit.
How big should my head be in the photo?
Measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair), your head must take up 50–69% of the photo height — 25.5 to 35.2 mm on the print. The tool detects your face and crops to land inside this range automatically.
What background color is required?
White or off-white, plain and without shadows or patterns. U.S. Department of State does not accept digitally edited backgrounds, so take the photo against a plain wall; ExactFit checks the background but leaves it unchanged by default.
Can I wear glasses?
No glasses of any kind unless a doctor's note explains a medical need.
How recent does the photo need to be?
It must have been taken within the last 6 months and look like you do now.
Can I take a US Passport Photo with my phone?
Yes. Have someone take it from about 1–1.5 m away against a plain wall, make it here, then print it at true size with the print sheet (4×6 in, A4 or A6) at a photo kiosk.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. All processing — face detection, cropping, background and compression — runs inside your browser. Your photo never leaves your device.
Will my photo be accepted?
ExactFit checks every measurable requirement against the official rules, but the final decision is made by U.S. Department of State. Follow the checklist and the official guidance linked on this page.
Official source
Last verified against the official source: October 22, 2026
ExactFit is not affiliated with any government. Requirements can change; always confirm with the official source. No guarantee of acceptance.
Spotted a change? Tell us and we’ll re-verify within days.