What size is a US passport photo?

2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), printed at 300 DPI on matte or glossy paper.

Can I take a US passport photo at home?

Yes. The Department of State accepts home-taken photos as long as they meet the official size, background, lighting, and head-position requirements.

Can I wear glasses in my US passport photo?

No, glasses are not allowed in US passport photos since November 2016, even prescription eyeglasses.

How much does a US passport photo cost?

Prices range from $0 (DIY at home) to about $7.99–$16.99 at retailers like Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and USPS, or $5–$15 with online services.

What background color is required for a US passport photo?

A plain, solid white or off-white background. Patterned backdrops, gradients, and textures will be rejected.

How recent does my US passport photo need to be?

It must be taken within the last six months and reflect your current appearance.

Can I smile in my US passport photo?

Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. A natural, slight smile is generally accepted, but a wide or open-mouth smile is not.

US Passport Photo

Size & Requirements 2026 · Last updated: 2026-05-11

Photography Guidelines

1 Taken within the last 6 months
2 Full face, front view with a plain white background
3 No glasses allowed since November 2016
4 Neutral facial expression with both eyes open
5 Wear normal street attire, no uniforms
6 No head coverings unless for religious reasons

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Wearing glasses

Glasses are not allowed in US passport photos since 2016

Wrong background

Must be plain white, not off-white or gray

Incorrect head size

Head must be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches from chin to top of head

How to Take Your Photo

Three ways to get a compliant photo — choose what works for you.

DIY at Home

Take it yourself with a camera or smartphone — the cheapest option.

1 Pick a plain white or off-white wall — bedsheet or poster board works as a backup.
2 Stand 1.2–1.5 m from the wall, with even daylight from a window facing you (no shadows behind).
3 Use a tripod or chair so the camera is at eye level; avoid selfies — perspective distortion fails the compliance check.
4 Wear normal clothing that contrasts with the background. Remove glasses, hats, and earbuds.
5 Keep a neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible.
6 Crop to 2 x 2 inches at 300 DPI; head height must be 1 to 1-3/8 inches (chin to top of hair).
7 Save as JPEG under 240 KB and verify on the State Department photo tool.

Using Your Smartphone

Best lighting, framing, and tips for iPhone and Android.

1 Use the rear camera of an iPhone or Android — front cameras distort proportions.
2 Have someone else take the photo from 1.2 m away at eye level.
3 Turn off Live Photo, Portrait Mode, beauty filters, and HDR.
4 Tap to focus on your face and lock exposure (AE/AF Lock on iPhone).
5 Take 5–10 shots, pick the sharpest, then crop in any free image editor to a 1:1 ratio.
6 Export at the highest resolution and rescale to 600 x 600 px (300 DPI for 2 in × 2 in).

With Our Online Service

Upload a photo and get a compliant version in seconds.

1 Upload any clear, recent photo — selfie, full body, or even a screenshot from a video call works.
2 Our AI detects the face, removes the background, and replaces it with the required white.
3 It auto-crops to the official 2 x 2 inch ratio at 300 DPI.
4 A compliance check flags head size, glasses, expression, lighting, and shadows.
5 Preview the result instantly. Re-uploads are free if anything fails.
6 Download the digital file or order professionally printed copies shipped to your door.

Price Comparison

Common ways to get a passport photo, side by side.

Provider	Cost	Delivery	Notes
DIY at Home	Free	Instant	Requires a printer for hard copies; use the State Department photo tool to verify.
USPS	$15.00	Same visit (5–10 min)	Available at most post offices; convenient when applying in person.
Walmart	$7.64	5–10 min	One of the cheapest in-person options.
CVS / Walgreens	$16.99	Same day	Convenient locations; some stores offer guaranteed acceptance.
Our Online Service	Free preview	Instant	AI compliance check, free retakes, optional shipped prints.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Official References

Information on this page is based on the following official sources: