US Passport (online renewal and print)

US passport photo maker

Get an online-renewal JPEG and a ready-to-print 4x6 sheet with six 2 x 2 inch photos at 300 dpi.

No sign-inPhoto never leaves your deviceVisa, passport, DV lottery
Drop your photo here or click to choose a file. JPG, PNG, WebP or iPhone HEIC. Selfies work, front-facing is best.
Choose photo
Face the cameraGood lightOriginal file

    From selfie to approved in four steps

    No sign-in, no software, no waiting.

    1

    Choose the document

    US visa, passport, green card or DV lottery. Each has its own file size rule and we apply the right one.

    2

    Upload a photo

    We check face, focus, lighting, glasses, hats and resolution first. If it cannot be fixed, a pop-up tells you exactly why.

    3

    We fix the rest

    Dark or busy background becomes plain white. Your head is sized to the 50% to 69% rule and straightened.

    4

    Download

    Get a 600 x 600 px JPEG that fits the file-size limit, plus a 4x6 print sheet for passports.

    US passport photo requirements at a glance

    • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in print; 600 to 1200 px square online
    • Online file size 54 KB to 10 MB; JPEG, 24-bit color, sRGB
    • Head 1 to 1 3/8 inches (50% to 69% of height)
    • Plain white or off-white background, neutral expression, both eyes open
    • No glasses, no filters, taken in the last 6 months

    Need prints? Download the 4x6 sheet and have it printed at a photo shop or drugstore.

    New to this? Read how to take a passport photo at home.

    No-edit mode for US passports.

    The State Department says to submit the original, unedited photo, with no background changes or filters. We only crop and resize your photo, and check that the background, lighting and pose are right. If something is wrong, retake the photo.

    Face a window, stand in front of a plain white wall, hold the camera at eye level about 1 meter (3 feet) away.

    What gets a US photo rejected

    Quick visual guide. Our tool checks all of these for you.

    GoodFacing the camera, neutral face, plain white background, head 50-69%.
    GlassesGlasses are not allowed (rare medical exceptions need a signed statement).
    Hat or head coveringOnly allowed if worn daily for religious reasons, with the full face visible.
    Shadows on the faceLight from one side leaves one half darker. Face a window instead.
    Dark or busy backgroundMust be plain white or off-white, with no shadows.
    Head too smallChin to top of head must be 50% to 69% of the photo height.
    Head tilted or turnedFace the camera squarely with your head level.
    Smile or open mouthUse a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
    Too close (selfie)Phone selfies distort the face. Shoot from 3 to 4 feet away.

    US Passport

    What size is a US passport photo?
    In print: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Online renewal: a square JPEG from 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 px, 54 KB to 10 MB.
    Can I print the photo myself?
    You can download a 4x6 inch sheet with six 2 x 2 inch photos at 300 dpi and print it at any photo shop or drugstore photo counter. Ask them for glossy or matte photo paper.
    What is the minimum file size for a passport photo?
    54 KB for online renewal. The tool makes sure your file is above the minimum and below the 10 MB maximum.
    Does the background have to be white?
    It must be plain white or off-white with no shadows. Because the State Department says passport photos must not be digitally changed, this tool does not replace the background for passport photos. It checks your original background and tells you if you need to retake the photo.
    How recent must the photo be?
    Taken in the last 6 months, to show how you look today.

    More US photo help

    Ready for a photo that gets accepted?

    Free checks, private processing, and a file that fits the official limits.

    Make my photo now