US Passport Photo Maker Online (2x2 Inches)
The United States Department of State requires all passport and visa (DS-160) applicant photographs to strictly adhere to the 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) square format. Your head must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head.
Official United States Passport Photo Requirements
Validated against latest guidelines from U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
51 x 51 mm
2 x 2 inches
600 x 600 px (min at 300 DPI), up to 1200 x 1200 px
50% – 69% of total photo height
25 mm – 35 mm (1 – 1 3/8 inches)
Measured chin to crown
Plain white or off-white with no shadows or texture
Must be clean and shadow-free
Eyeglasses are strictly forbidden (except documented medical reasons signed by doctor)
Neutral facial expression or natural smile with both eyes open and mouth closed
Standard 4x6 inch photo paper with 2 or 6 identical 2x2" prints
Cost: ~$0.35 at pharmacy
Disclaimer: FreshPassPhoto is an independent photo preparation tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Requirements can change. Always verify the current requirements published by the relevant passport, visa or government authority before submitting your photo.
Key Biometric Guidelines for United States
2x2 inches (51x51 mm)
Photo must be square. Head must occupy between 50% and 69% of the total vertical height.
Solid White / Off-White
Uniform, clean white background with no patterns, shadows, or objects behind the subject.
No Glasses Allowed
Eyeglasses must be removed entirely to avoid glare and biometric scanner reflections.
Neutral or Natural Smile
Both eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight ahead into the camera lens with shoulders level.
- •Wearing prescription eyeglasses (unless documented by a signed medical waiver)
- •Shadows cast on the wall behind the ears or chin
- •Head too large or too small (violating the 1" to 1 3/8" rule)
- •Over-exposure or flash reflections on the forehead
- •Using a photo older than 6 months
How to Make Your United States Passport Photo
Snap a selfie facing natural daylight
Stand 4-5 feet away from a plain wall. Have a friend take the photo or use a timer at eye level.
Upload to FreshPassPhoto US Preset
Our tool automatically aligns the 2x2 inch boundary and centers your face within State Department guidelines.
Fine-tune background and lighting
Select pure white background, adjust contrast if necessary, and preview the head size overlay.
Download digital file or 4x6" print sheet
Save the individual 600x600px digital photo or a 4x6 inch grid for printing at Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart for pennies.
Ready to create your United States photo?
Use our free photo maker with pre-configured 51 x 51 mm dimensions. Crop, align, remove background, and download printable sheets in under a minute.
Frequently Asked Questions (United States)
Can I take a US passport photo with my phone?
Yes! The U.S. Department of State accepts photos taken with smartphones provided they meet all lighting, dimension, head ratio, and background rules. FreshPassPhoto formats your phone selfie to the exact 2x2" standard.
Can I smile in a US passport photo?
You may have a natural, unexaggerated smile, but your mouth must remain closed and both eyes must be wide open. A neutral expression is always the safest option.
How do I print a 2x2 passport photo on 4x6 paper?
FreshPassPhoto automatically formats your 2x2 inch photo onto a 4x6 inch sheet containing multiple prints. Order a standard 4x6 print at any pharmacy photo kiosk (costing around $0.35) and cut out the 2x2 photos.
Are glasses allowed in US passport photos?
No. Since 2016, eyeglasses cannot be worn in U.S. passport photos, even if you wear them daily. The only exception is a signed doctor statement for recent eye surgery.