US passport photo

2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head 1 to 1⅜ in tall from chin to top of hair.

The measurements

Photo size: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
Head height: 1 to 1⅜ in (25.4 to 34.9 mm), chin to top of hair
Eye line: 1⅛ to 1⅜ in above the bottom edge
Background: White or off-white, plain, no shadows
As a digital file: 600 × 600 pixels at 300 dpi, or 1200 × 1200 pixels at 600 dpi
Used for: Passport book and passport card, Online passport renewal, Visa (DS-160, DS-260), Diversity Visa lottery, Green card and naturalization forms

White or off-white background. The State Department says not to change photos with software, phone apps, filters or AI, so get the light and the background right when you take the photo.

Online forms take a square JPG between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels. Visa and DV lottery forms cap the file at 240 KB.

Official rules: U.S. Department of State. If that page says something different from this one, follow that page and let us know.

Taking the photo at home

Stand about 2 feet in front of a plain white wall.
Face a window, so the light is even and there is no shadow behind you.
Have someone hold the phone at eye level, 4 to 5 feet away.
Eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera. No glasses or hat.
Leave room around your head. The tool crops it to 2 × 2 in.