A U.S. passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches, recent, in color, and taken against a white or off-white background. The face must be centered and clearly visible, and the final image should not be altered with filters, software, or AI.
This page summarizes the official size, head measurements, background rules, common rejection risks, and the practical difference between preparing a photo for print and preparing one for a digital workflow.
Official size
2 x 2 in
Standard U.S. passport photo size used for paper submission workflows.
Head size
1 to 1⅜ in
Measure from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Important warning
Official U.S. guidance warns against changing the image with software, filters, or AI. Use the app to help prepare and check the image, not to alter identity or appearance.
This page is the requirement owner; the app is the execution step. Choose the U.S. passport preset, prepare the 2 x 2 result, and review common issues before printing or submitting.
A U.S. passport photo can fail even when it looks like a normal portrait. Size, head height, background, age, glasses, and image alteration rules all need to be correct together.
Choose the U.S. passport preset, then use PhotoID's built-in camera with a plain white or off-white background, the phone at eye level, and even light across the face. Continue in the same app flow to review and export without changing identity or appearance.
The official source for U.S. passport photos is the State Department passport photo page. Use it as the final reference before submission, especially if your situation includes exceptions or unusual filing details.
Official source
U.S. Department of State, passport photo guidance.
Open the official U.S. passport photo source| Photo size | 2 x 2 inches |
|---|---|
| Head height | 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches |
| Background | White or off-white |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Eyeglasses | Not allowed except limited medical exception |
| Image type | Recent color photo, high resolution |
If your question is primarily about the exact square format rather than the full U.S. rule set, open the dedicated 2x2 size guide.
The U.S. passport flow is strongly associated with the physical 2 x 2 print size. Digital files still matter during preparation, but you should not confuse a printable image size with every possible digital-upload requirement used in other document flows.
A home-taken U.S. passport photo can work if the setup stays controlled: plain background, soft front lighting, direct face view, and the exact 2 x 2 output. Use the dedicated at-home passport photo guide when you need the full capture checklist.
PhotoID helps with guided capture, exact-format preparation, and AI checks for common issues like framing, lighting, background, and image clarity. It should be used as a preparation and checking layer, while the official U.S. requirements remain the final standard before submission.
Choose the preset, review common issues, and compare the final result against the official rules before you submit.
Start with the exact U.S. passport format so the app applies the correct framing and size logic.
Position the face correctly and keep the background clean before moving to the result stage.
Review common issues like background, face position, lighting, and image clarity.
Use the final result as a properly prepared photo while still checking the official rules before submission.
2x2 photo size guide
Exact size owner
Use this when your intent is the exact size format rather than the full U.S. passport rule set.
Passport photo size guide
Broad size hub
Compare inches, cm, pixels, 2x2, and 35x45 in one size-first overview.
How to take a passport photo at home
DIY capture guide
Use this when you need a stronger step-by-step setup guide for phone, lighting, and background.
What to wear for a passport photo
Clothing guide
Open this if your question is mainly about shirt color, outfit contrast, or what not to wear.
Baby passport photo
Infant support guide
Use this when the passport photo is for a baby, infant, or newborn rather than an adult.
Passport photo background
Background guide
Open this if the main issue is getting a white or off-white background with no shadow or texture.
U.S. visa photo requirements
Related U.S. flow
Use the visa page when you need digital image rules or embassy-specific context.
Green card photo requirements
2x2 + digital context
Useful when your photo flow includes digital submission and immigration-specific checks.
A U.S. passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches. That is the exact physical print size required for the standard U.S. passport photo format.
The physical photo must be 2 x 2 inches, and the head should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Your face should be clearly visible in a direct front view with both eyes open. Keep the expression natural and avoid exaggerated facial expressions that change the shape of your face.
No, not in normal cases. The official rule allows glasses only for limited medical exceptions, and the documentation must support that exception.
For most standard U.S. passport paper applications, you submit one compliant color photo. Always check the latest application instructions before submission.
Yes, if the final image still meets the official size, background, framing, and quality rules. The key risk is getting the dimensions, background, and face positioning wrong.
Use a white or off-white background that is plain and free from visible objects, patterns, or strong shadows.
You should not rely on edited, filtered, or AI-altered images that change the photo. Official U.S. guidance explicitly warns against changing the image with software, filters, or AI.
Use the U.S. passport preset, run AI checks for common issues, and prepare a result for print or submission review.
Available on iOS and Android
