US Passport Photo Size Guide: Exact Dimensions & Placement Rules
When applying for a US passport, your photo must meet strict government standards—especially in terms of size. Even small mistakes like incorrect head placement or photo dimensions can lead to rejection of your application.
This guide explains the required photo size for both offline and online submissions, how to check compliance, and common mistakes to avoid.
Section 1: Size Requirements for Offline Submission (Printed Photo)
The US Department of State requires printed passport photos to meet the following specifications:
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Dimensions: Exactly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
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Head Size: Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
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Eye Height: Eyes must be 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches (28–35 mm) from the bottom of the photo
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Background: Plain white or off-white
👉 Need help taking your own photo? Check our guide on how to take a passport photo at home.
Section 2: Size Requirements for Online Submission (Digital Photo)
When applying for a passport online, your digital photo must meet slightly different technical criteria:
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Resolution: Minimum 600 x 600 pixels
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File size: Must be 54kb to 10 mb
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File format: JPEG only
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Aspect ratio: A square shape is not strictly required, but the face must be properly framed per US passport guidelines. The system will prompt adjustments or cropping if needed during upload.
👉 Learn more about submitting digital passport photos on our main US Passport Photo Help page.
Section 3: Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection
Many passport photo submissions are rejected for small but avoidable errors:
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Submitting a photo that is not exactly 2 x 2 inches
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Head too small or too large in the frame
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Eyes too low or high
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Using low resolution images (pixelated or blurry)
3.1 Common mistakes examples of digital passport photo
3.2 Common mistakes examples of paper passport photo
Section 4: How to Check If Your Photo Meets Size Rules
You can verify your photo using these tools:
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US Department of State Photo Tool: Free official tool for alignment
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xpassportphoto Auto Validator: Our online service automatically detects size, head position, and proportions in real time.
👉 Try our free passport photo generator to get a perfectly sized image in seconds.
