Photo sizes › United States
🇺🇸 US Passport Photo
2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) · head 25–35 mm · white background. Upload a selfie below and IDShot builds a compliant photo in your browser — nothing is uploaded to a server.
Drop a photo here
A plain wall, even light, head and shoulders. A phone selfie is fine.
or click to browse · you can also paste with ⌘V
Official requirements
| Printed size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) · 2.00 × 2.00 in |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI |
| Head height (chin → crown) | 25–35 mm · IDShot targets 30.0 mm |
| Eye line from bottom | 28–35 mm |
| Background | White, plain and shadow-free |
| Colour | Colour photo, natural skin tones |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open, facing the camera |
| Issuing authority | U.S. Department of State ↗ |
Requirements change. Always confirm against the issuing authority before you submit.
Good to know
- Printed size is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
- Head must measure 1 – 1⅜ in (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
- Eyes must sit 1⅛ – 1⅜ in (28 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
- Plain white or off-white background, no shadows.
- Taken within the last 6 months. No glasses. Neutral expression, both eyes open.
How to take the photo at home
Find a plain wall
Light grey, cream or white, with nothing hanging on it. Stand about 50 cm in front of it so you do not cast a shadow.
Face the light
Daylight from a window in front of you is ideal. Overhead lights alone create shadows under the eyes and nose.
Shoot from 2 m away
Ask someone to stand back and zoom in slightly, at your eye level. Selfies at arm's length distort the nose.
Neutral face
Mouth closed, eyes open, no smiling, no hat. Take off glasses — most authorities no longer accept them.
US Passport Photo FAQ
What size is a us passport photo?
2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) — 2.00 × 2.00 inches. At the recommended 300 DPI that is 600 × 600 pixels. The head must measure 25–35 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
What background colour is required?
White (white or off-white are accepted), plain and free of shadows. IDShot replaces whatever is behind you with the correct colour automatically.
Can I take a passport photo at home with my phone?
Yes. Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall with daylight on your face, keep a neutral expression, and have someone photograph you from around two metres away at eye level. IDShot then handles the cropping, the head height and the background.
How much does it cost?
Building the photo and seeing the full preview is free. Removing the watermark and downloading the print-ready file is a one-time $4.90 — after that you can make as many photos, for any country, as you like.