US Passport Photo Size: 2x2 Inches = 600×600 Pixels (2026)
Published July 2026 · 4 min read · ID Photos
The answer first: a US passport photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), which at the standard 300 DPI is exactly 600 × 600 pixels. For the online renewal portal, the file must be a JPEG under 240 KB, between 240 × 240 and 1200 × 1200 px. Everything else on this page is about not getting rejected.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), square |
| Pixels at 300 DPI | 600 × 600 px |
| Digital submission range | 240 × 240 px min · 1200 × 1200 px max |
| File format / size | JPEG · under 240 KB (online renewal) |
| Head height | 1″ to 1⅜″ chin-to-crown (50–69% of frame) |
| Background | White or off-white, no shadows |
| Expression | Neutral or natural smile, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
Make a compliant 2x2 photo in your browser
The free Passport Photo tool has the US standard built in: upload any photo, drag the crop so your face sits inside the head-height guides, and download a 600 × 600 px JPEG at 300 DPI. Processing runs entirely in your browser — a photo containing your biometric face data never touches a server. If the output lands over 240 KB for online renewal, run it through the Compress to Target Size tool at a 230 KB target.
Why 600 × 600 and not just "2 by 2"?
Print services and the State Department's automated checker both work from pixels, not inches. A 2 × 2 inch print at 300 DPI needs 600 × 600 px — fewer pixels and the print looks soft or the upload gets flagged as low resolution. If your source photo has plenty of pixels but the file header claims 72 DPI, some print kiosks miscalculate the print size; the Convert to 300 DPI tool fixes the header losslessly.
The head-height rule that causes most rejections
Within the 2-inch frame, your head must measure between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches from chin to the top of your head, with eyes 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches from the photo's bottom edge. Selfies almost always fail this — arm's length puts the head too large in frame. Have someone shoot from 4–6 feet away at eye level and crop afterwards; cropping down is always possible, but a too-tight source photo is unusable.
US visa photos use the same size
B1/B2 visa applications use the identical 2 × 2 inch / 600 × 600 px format, same head-height rules, white background, taken within 6 months. The DS-160 upload accepts square JPEGs up to 240 KB.
Applying for a different country? See the all-countries passport photo guide, the UK 35×45 mm guide, or the India 51×51 mm guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US passport photo size in pixels?
600 × 600 pixels — that is 2 × 2 inches at 300 DPI. For online submission the State Department accepts JPEGs from 240 × 240 px up to 1200 × 1200 px, under 240 KB. 600 × 600 px works for both print and digital submission.
How do I convert a photo to 2x2 inches for a US passport?
Use the free Passport Photo tool: select the US standard, upload any photo, position your face inside the head-height guides, and download a 600 × 600 px JPEG. It runs entirely in your browser — the photo is never uploaded to a server.
What is the head size requirement for a US passport photo?
The head must measure 1 inch to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head — 50–69% of the 2-inch frame height. Eyes should sit 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches from the bottom of the photo.
What file size does the US online passport renewal accept?
JPEG format, under 240 KB, between 240 × 240 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, square. If your file is over 240 KB, compress it with the target-size compressor before uploading.