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. Do not retouch the image, replace its background, apply filters, or use AI to alter it.
This page summarizes the official size, head measurements, background rules, common rejection risks, and the critical difference between a printed photo for a paper application and the original, unedited upload required for online renewal.
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
Online renewal requires the original, unedited photo. Do not upload a processed PhotoID export to that flow. The PhotoID preset on this page is for preparing a 2 x 2 print for a paper application without retouching or background replacement.
Choose the U.S. passport preset to prepare the 2 x 2 print format without retouching or background replacement. For online renewal, use the original, unedited capture required by the State Department instead of a processed app export.
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 real plain white or off-white background, the phone at eye level, and even light across the face. Do not replace the background or retouch the image. This app path is not the online-renewal upload path.
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 sources
U.S. Department of State guidance for standard passport photos and the separate online-renewal upload flow. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.
| 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.
Paper applications use a physical 2 x 2 photo. Online renewal follows a different upload workflow and requires the original, unedited capture; the application can handle positioning and cropping. A processed, retouched, or background-replaced PhotoID export should not be used for that online upload.
For a paper application, a home-taken photo can work if the setup stays controlled: a real plain background, soft front lighting, direct face view, no retouching, and the exact 2 x 2 print output. Use the dedicated at-home passport photo guide when you need the full capture checklist.
PhotoID can help prepare the exact 2 x 2 print format and flag common capture issues for a paper application. Use a real compliant background and avoid all retouching or background replacement. For online renewal, bypass the processed app output and upload the original, unedited photo through the official application.
Choose the preset for a paper application, review common issues without altering the image, and compare the printed result against the official rules.
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.
Prepare the 2 x 2 print output, disable printer scaling, and compare the result with the official paper-application rules.
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.
For a paper application, a home-taken photo can work if it meets the official size, background, framing, quality, and no-retouching rules. Online renewal is different: upload the original, unedited photo required by the State Department.
Use a white or off-white background that is plain and free from visible objects, patterns, or strong shadows.
No. Do not retouch, filter, enhance, replace the background, or use AI to change the image. For online renewal, the State Department specifically requires the original, unedited photo.
Do not use a processed PhotoID export for online renewal. That workflow requires the original, unedited capture. PhotoID's U.S. passport preset is positioned here for preparing a correctly sized print for paper applications without retouching or replacing the background.
Use the U.S. passport preset to prepare the print size without retouching or replacing the background. For online renewal, upload the original unedited capture through the official application instead.
Available on iOS and Android
