US Passport Photo Maker (2×2 inch, 1200×1200 px)
A US passport photo is a 2 × 2 inch square (51 × 51 mm). For online renewal the State Department accepts a JPG, PNG or HEIC file between 54 KB and 10 MB. This tool crops your photo to a square, resizes it to 1200 × 1200 pixels (2 inches at 600 DPI, sharp enough to print) and saves it as a JPG above 54 KB.
US passport photo (2×2 in)
Upload your us passport photo (2×2 in)
Processed in your browser, never uploaded.
Official size requirements
| Document | Dimensions | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printed photo | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | — | Photo-quality paper |
| Head height (chin to top) | 1 – 1⅜ in (25 – 35 mm) | — | — |
| Digital photo (online renewal) | Square crop; 1200 × 1200 px here | 54 KB – 10 MB | JPG, PNG, HEIC, HEIF |
Source: U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov passport photo and digital photo pages (2026). The 1200 × 1200 pixel output is our choice for a sharp 2-inch print at 600 DPI; the online renewal tool also lets you crop when you upload.
How to make a US passport photo at home
- Stand several feet in front of a plain white or off-white wall, with even light and no shadows.
- Have someone take the photo straight on, with your head and shoulders centred. Leave a little space around your head.
- Upload it above. The tool crops it to a square, centred on the middle of the photo, and saves a 1200 × 1200 JPG.
- Use the file for online renewal, or print it at 2 × 2 inches on matte or glossy photo paper.
Rules the State Department checks
- Colour photo taken in the last 6 months.
- Neutral expression or natural smile, eyes open, mouth closed.
- No glasses, hats or head coverings, unless for documented religious or medical reasons.
- No uniforms, camouflage, headphones or wireless earpieces.
- No filters, retouching or background editing. Fix the light and background and take a new photo instead.
Does resizing count as editing?
Cropping and resizing do not change how you look, and the online renewal tool itself lets you crop. What is not allowed is changing your appearance: filters, skin smoothing, or cutting out and replacing the background. This tool only crops, scales and compresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a US passport photo in pixels?
The official size is 2 × 2 inches. The State Department does not fix one pixel size for printed photos; at 600 DPI a 2-inch square is 1200 × 1200 pixels, which is what this tool produces. For online renewal the file must be between 54 KB and 10 MB.
Can I use a 600 × 600 photo?
Yes, you can change the width and height boxes to 600 × 600. A larger file prints more sharply, so 1200 × 1200 is the default.
Can I smile in a US passport photo?
A natural smile is fine as long as your eyes are open and your mouth is closed.
Can I wear glasses?
No. Glasses must be removed unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons, in which case you send a signed doctor’s note.
Are my photo and signature uploaded anywhere?
No. Resizing and compression happen inside your browser. Your files never leave your device.