About 20 million passport applications are processed every year and, according to the State Department, the most common cause for rejection are incorrectly taken passport photos.
In the paragraphs below, we’ll go over exactly the US passport photos size in details and how PhotoAiD®—an app with over a million users worldwide—can help you achieve the perfect format.
American Passport Picture: Size
A US passport photo should be 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), with the head size between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25-35 mm) measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including the hair).
Additionally, pay attention to the eye height. Your eyes should be positioned between 1⅛ and 1⅜ inches (28-35 mm) from the picture’s bottom edge.
Passport-size photo in pixels (digital dimensions)
What’s the passport photo size in pixels? Digital passport photos must be 600×600 pixels (square aspect ratio) to ensure the highest quality of the image. 2×2 inch pictures taken at 600 DPI (dots per inch) will satisfy this requirement.
Digital Passport Photo Size
While US authorities require a printed passport photo for the standard application, permanent residents who need to renew their Green Card have to submit digital images. Additionally, in 2022 the State Department ran tests for an online passport renewal system, which is expected to be up and running in 2023.
When it comes to digital pictures, the photo requirements indicate the following:
- photo dimensions: between 600×600 pixels and 1200×1200 pixels
- file size: max 240kB
- passport size photo resolution: 300 DPI (dots per inch)
- photo aspect ratio: square (height and width are the same)
- file format: JPEG.
Remember that the photos submitted with a passport application cannot be digitally enhanced.
Need to know more about digital passport photos?
Resize Your Image to the American Passport Picture Size with PhotoAiD®
Did you know that you can get a passport photo online? With PhotoAiD®—featured in publications like National Geographic, Glamour, and Forbes—users can get the correct size without any effort.
Just face the camera directly and upload the result; we’ll take care of the rest:
- The image will get perfectly adjusted to the required size and the background will automatically turn plain white. PhotoAiD® allows applicants to take passport photos anywhere they are, without having to travel.
- Then, the picture will get examined by our AI system and by one of our professional photo experts. They will guarantee that all official requirements are followed to the letter.
- PhotoAiD® offers unlimited tries! Users can take as many photos as they need until the result is just perfect. This takes all the stress out of taking infant passport photos.
Our photo service offers a digital copy instantly and printouts can be shipped on demand.
Find out more:
- How to Take Passport Photo at Home
- How To Make a Passport Size Photo From Mobile
- How To Convert a Photo To a Passport Size
- Passport Photo Vs. Professional Headshot
- How to Take a Passport Photo With An Android Phone?
- Taking Passport Photos with Your iPhone
FAQ
For those who still have some questions, we’ll clear up some of the most common doubts about American passport photo size in the section below.
What's the correct passport-size photo height and width?
Are all passport photos the same size?
What's the US passport-size photo size in cm?
What is the US passport photo size in pixels?
Is a passport-size photo 2×2 inches?
Summary
Passport pictures in the US need to be 2×2 inches, with the head centered. The Department of State will only accept photos that fit these dimensions perfectly. The same format is also required for all kinds of IDs and Visas.
To crop the images to the perfect passport photo size without any need for professional tools, use PhotoAiD®. We’ve got your back 24/7, no matter where you are.
Riccardo Ollmert is a multilingual writer and travel expert. He studied Languages, Literature and Publishing Industry at La Sapienza University of Rome. His passions include traveling and learning new skills.
