US passport photo requirements (2026)
The official U.S. passport photo rules from the Department of State — size, head position, background and more — in plain English. Then check your own photo against every rule for free.
The specs at a glance
| Photo size | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) |
| Resolution | 600×600px minimum · 300 DPI |
| Head height | 50–69% of photo (1 to 1⅜ in, chin to crown) |
| Eye height | 56–69% from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Expression | Neutral, both eyes open, mouth closed |
Do
- Use a photo taken within the last 6 months
- Face the camera directly with a neutral expression
- Keep both eyes open and your mouth closed
- Use a plain white or off-white background
- Wear everyday clothing
Don't
- No glasses (banned since November 2016)
- No hats or head coverings (except religious/medical)
- No uniforms or camouflage
- No shadows on your face or the background
- No filters, and no other people in the frame
How CheckPassportPhoto checks each rule
Our free passport photo checker measures your head height and eye line against the numbers above, detects head tilt and whether you are facing the camera, checks that your eyes are open and mouth closed, samples the background for color and evenness, and estimates sharpness — all in your browser. If the framing or background is off, it fixes them automatically and gives you a print-ready 2×2.
Related guides: what to wear for a passport photo and infant passport photos.
Source: U.S. Department of State — travel.state.gov. CheckPassportPhoto is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the U.S. government.