US Passport Photo Size in Pixels: Exact Dimensions Explained

By ExactFile Editorial Team · Published August 11, 2026 · Updated September 1, 2026 · Fact-checked September 1, 2026

Reviewed and republished from the drafts queue after fact-checking spec tables and tool links.

What Is the US Passport Photo Size in Pixels?

The official US passport photo size in pixels is 600 x 600 pixels when the photo is printed or scanned at 300 DPI (dots per inch). This is the digital equivalent of the required physical print size of 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).

Here's the simple math behind it:

• 2 inches x 300 DPI = 600 pixels wide
• 2 inches x 300 DPI = 600 pixels tall

The US Department of State accepts digital passport photos between 600 x 600 pixels and 1200 x 1200 pixels for online renewals. Anything smaller than 600 x 600 will be rejected as too low-resolution, and the image must be perfectly square — a rectangular photo won't be accepted even if one side hits 600 pixels.

If you're taking a photo with a modern smartphone, your image will almost certainly be much larger than this (often 3000 x 4000 pixels or more). That's fine as a starting point — you just need to crop it square and resize it down before submitting.

Passport Photo Dimensions at Different DPI Settings

DPI determines how many pixels fit into each inch of the printed photo. The higher the DPI, the sharper the print. Here's how the 2 x 2 inch requirement converts at common resolutions:

For digital submissions, aim for 300 DPI. It produces a clean, sharp image without creating an unnecessarily large file. For printed photos at a pharmacy or photo shop, 300 DPI is also the standard they'll use.

One common mistake: resizing an image to 600 x 600 pixels but leaving it set at 72 DPI (the default for many screens). The pixel count is what matters for digital submissions, but if you're printing, check that your image editor or printer settings use 300 DPI so the photo comes out at exactly 2 x 2 inches.

Other US Passport Photo Requirements Beyond Size

Getting the pixel dimensions right is only part of the picture. The State Department has several other rules your photo must follow:

Head size and positioning. Your head must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. In a 600 x 600 pixel image at 300 DPI, that translates to roughly 300–415 pixels of head height. Your face should be centered, facing the camera directly, with both eyes open.

Background. Use a plain white or off-white background with no shadows, patterns, or objects. A white wall works well if the lighting is even.

Expression and appearance. Keep a neutral expression or a natural smile. No glasses are allowed (this rule has been in effect since 2016). No hats or head coverings unless worn daily for religious purposes, and even then your full face must be visible. Headphones and wireless earbuds must be removed.

Recency and editing. The photo must have been taken within the last six months. Do not use filters, beauty modes, or retouching — digitally altered photos are a common cause of rejection.

File format and size. For online passport renewals, the photo must be a JPEG file. The file must be at least 54 KB and no larger than 10 MB. If your photo is too large after cropping, you can use a tool like our image compressor to bring it down without changing the dimensions.

How to Resize Your Photo to 600 x 600 Pixels

If your photo meets the composition rules but isn't the right size, resizing is straightforward. Here's the process:

Step 1: Crop to a square. Select a square (1:1) crop around your head and shoulders. Leave some space above your head and include your shoulders and the top of your chest. Make sure your head height falls within the 1 to 1 3/8 inch range relative to the full frame.

Step 2: Resize to 600 x 600 pixels. Set both width and height to 600 pixels. Keep the aspect ratio locked so the image doesn't stretch. You can do this quickly with our image resizing tool — upload, enter 600 for both dimensions, and download.

Step 3: Check the background and head size. Zoom in and confirm the background is clean and your head occupies the correct proportion of the frame.

Step 4: Save as JPEG. Export the file as a .jpg. Avoid PNG or HEIC formats, since the State Department's online system expects JPEG.

If you'd rather skip the manual work, our dedicated US passport photo tool handles cropping, background checks, and exact sizing automatically. There's also a general passport photo resizer if you're preparing photos for other document types.

Common Reasons Passport Photos Get Rejected

Even correctly sized photos get rejected for other issues. Watch out for these:

• Shadows on the face or background — use soft, even lighting from the front, not overhead.
• Glasses — remove them entirely, even clear lenses.
• Washed-out or dark skin tones — avoid flash glare and heavy backlighting.
• Wrong proportions — head too small (standing too far away) or too large (cropped too tight).
• Busy backgrounds — doors, furniture, or textured walls behind you.
• Old photos — anything older than six months, or photos that no longer reflect your appearance.

Taking the photo against a white wall during the daytime, with the camera at eye level about four feet away, solves most of these problems. Have someone else take it — selfies tend to distort facial proportions.

Digital vs. Printed Passport Photos

For online renewals, you upload a digital JPEG between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels. For paper applications (Form DS-11, used for first-time passports, minors, and replacements), you need a physical 2 x 2 inch print on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.

If you're printing at home, set your printer to its highest quality and make sure the image prints at exactly 2 x 2 inches — measure it with a ruler before attaching it to your application. A photo that prints slightly smaller or larger can be rejected. Do not staple the photo to the form; use the adhesive method described in the application instructions, since staple holes through the face area cause rejections.

Pharmacy photo services and shipping stores typically charge for a pair of compliant prints, but if you already have a good digital photo, printing it yourself or through a photo kiosk is often cheaper — just verify the dimensions after printing.

FAQ

Is 600x600 the exact US passport photo size in pixels?

Yes. At 300 DPI, the required 2 x 2 inch print size converts to exactly 600 x 600 pixels. This is the minimum resolution accepted for digital submissions.

Can I submit a passport photo larger than 600x600 pixels?

Yes. The State Department accepts digital photos up to 1200 x 1200 pixels for online renewals. Larger files give you more flexibility, but the image must remain square and under 10 MB.

What DPI should a US passport photo be?

300 DPI is the standard for both digital submissions and printing. At 300 DPI, a 2 x 2 inch photo equals 600 x 600 pixels, which meets the official requirement.

What file format does the US passport photo need to be?

JPEG (.jpg) is the required format for online renewals. If your photo is in PNG, HEIC, or WebP format, convert it to JPEG before uploading, and make sure the file size is between 54 KB and 10 MB.

Can I take a passport photo with my phone?

Yes, smartphone cameras produce more than enough resolution. Take the photo against a plain white background with even lighting, then crop it square and resize it to 600 x 600 pixels using a resizing tool before submitting.

Does the UK passport photo use the same pixel size?

No. UK passport photos are 35 x 45 mm, not 2 x 2 inches, so the pixel dimensions differ. If you need a UK-compliant photo, use a tool designed for that format rather than the US sizing.