What size is a US passport photo?

US passport photos are 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). Passprint crops and exports at this size with 300 DPI resolution for sharp prints.

Can Passprint photos be used for US passport renewal?

Passprint sizes and frames portraits to common US specifications. Applicants should always verify the latest Department of State guidance before submission.

What background is accepted for US passport photos?

A plain white or off-white background is standard. Passprint removes distracting backgrounds and replaces them with compliant tones. See the white background guide for details.

How is a US passport photo different from a US visa photo?

Both use 2×2 inches, but visa photos target DS-160 digital upload with specific file-size limits while passport renewals may use online portals with different compression rules. Passprint exports both digital and print formats.

How many copies can I print per sheet?

Layout presets place multiple 2×2 copies on A4 or Letter paper with spacing and trim guides for efficient studio printing.

What is the US head-size requirement?

The head from chin to crown must measure between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) within the 2×2 inch frame per Department of State guidance.

Are glasses allowed in a US passport photo?

Prescription glasses are often acceptable if there is no glare and the eyes are fully visible. Confirm the current State Department photo page — rules have changed over time.

How do I take a US passport photo of a baby?

Use a plain white surface, keep adult hands out of frame, and crop to 2×2 inches with the head in the allowed height band. Recent photos with eyes open are preferred when practical.

Why was my US passport photo rejected?

Common causes are incorrect head height, shadows, low resolution, glasses glare, smile or head tilt, or a stretched crop from 35×45. Fix lighting and re-run the US 2×2 preset.

Do I need a printed 2×2 photo or a digital file?

It depends on the application. Some renewals need prints; many portals need a JPEG. The passport photo maker can export both a digital file and a multi-copy print sheet.

Can I convert a 35×45 photo to a US passport photo?

Yes, but re-crop the source portrait to 2×2 with correct head framing. Stretching a rectangle into a square distorts proportions — see the crop passport photo guide.

What pixel size should a US passport photo be?

At 300 DPI print quality, 2×2 inches is 600×600 pixels. Many online forms accept that size; some portals publish their own file-size limits after export.

US passport photo requirements

US passport photos at 2×2 inches — sized to State Department specs

Studios serving US passport applicants need consistent 2×2 inch output, correct head-centre framing, and plain backgrounds. Passprint automates each step from upload to printable sheet.

US 2×2 in preset300 DPI exportStudio A4 layouts

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Passprint US passport photo 2x2 workflow: upload portrait, AI background removal, compliant sizing, and print-ready A4 sheet

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For US passport workflows

2×2 inch photos without manual ruler work when head-size tolerance is measured in millimetres

US passport photos are rejected when head size drifts outside tolerance or backgrounds aren't plain. Passprint applies measurable Department of State framing so every print matches expectations. Pair this page with the passport photo maker and the crop passport photo guide when you need end-to-end control. Passprint automates the entire workflow from upload to print-ready sheet in just a few clicks.

Studio challenge

Head size within US tolerance

Face height and eye-line positioning follow common US passport framing guidelines — no manual overlay templates in Photoshop.

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Studio challenge

Plain background, every time

Swap busy backgrounds to compliant white or off-white before your client submits a passport application.

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Studio challenge

Print shop ready sheets

Export multiple 2×2 copies on letter or A4 with cutting ticks your staff can trim quickly at the counter.

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US passport requirements

Department of State photo specs at a glance

US passports use a square 2×2 inch format with an inch-based head-height band — not the rectangular 35×45 mm size used by India and the UK. Check the diagram before you crop.

Annotated US passport photo frame showing 2×2 inch size, State Department head height of 1 to 1⅜ inches, and 600×600 pixels at 300 DPI — US 2×2 in square frame with the State Department chin-to-crown band and 300 DPI pixel guidance.

US vs India/UK vs Canada

Spec	United States	India / UK (35×45)	Canada (IRCC)
Outer size	2×2 in (51×51 mm)	35×45 mm	50×70 mm
Shape	Square	Portrait rectangle	Taller rectangle
Head / face height	1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm)	Country % or mm bands	31–36 mm chin to crown
Background	White or off-white	Usually plain white (IN) / cream–white (UK)	White or light
300 DPI pixels (approx.)	600×600 px	413×531 px	591×827 px

Dimensions, capture rules, and export for the US

Official dimensions

The Department of State requires a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square photo. That format is distinct from international 35×45 mm prints — never stretch a rectangular crop into a square. The 2×2 inch size guide covers millimetre and pixel math in depth.

Face height

Head height from chin to crown must measure between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) inside the square frame. Eyes sit near the horizontal midpoint of the photo. Passprint’s US preset targets this band with face detection.

Background

Use a plain white or off-white backdrop with even tone and no patterns or other people. Busy walls and coloured curtains are frequent rejection triggers. The white background guide covers AI replacement before you lock the 2×2 crop.

Lighting

Even front light keeps both sides of the face similar in brightness and reduces shadows on a white wall. Avoid strong backlight, heavy makeup filters, and flash hotspots. Shoot from eye level with headroom for the square crop.

Glasses

Current State Department guidance generally allows prescription glasses if there is no glare and the eyes remain fully visible. Tinted lenses and heavy frames that hide the eyes still fail. When unsure, remove glasses and re-check the latest official page.

Children and babies

Minors use the same 2×2 inch size. Infants may be photographed lying down against a plain white surface; keep blankets and adult hands out of frame. Capture a recent likeness with eyes open when practical and a neutral mouth.

Common rejection reasons

Typical failures include head height outside the 1–1⅜ inch band, tilted head, smile, glasses glare, shadows, low resolution, and stretched conversions from 35×45. Re-crop with the US preset instead of squashing a rectangle.

Print vs digital

Some renewals and walk-in appointments still need physical 2×2 prints; many online applications need a JPEG upload. Passport and visa portals can differ on file-size limits — see the US visa photo page for DS-160-oriented digital rules.

DPI and pixels

At 300 DPI, 2×2 inches is 600×600 pixels — the studio default for print sheets and most uploads. Start from a high-resolution portrait so framing stays sharp after crop. Pair with the ICAO guide when you need international face-position context beyond US inches.

How it works

How to create US passport photos

Square 2×2 inch crop, plain background, and print-ready export — sized for US passport applications and renewal portals.

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Upload portrait

Accept walk-in photos from phones, booths, or DSLR — Passprint handles orientation and exposure.

Apply 2×2 preset

Automatic crop to 51×51 mm with US-appropriate head height and centred face position.

Verify framing

Preview the square crop and background before final export.

Download & print

Get a high-resolution file or full print sheet for your studio printer.

Person taking a selfie to upload as passport photo

Upload Photo

Processing

Processed passport photo with compliant background

25 mm

35 mm ISO

←35 mm→

25 to 35 mm (50 to 69%)

For Print (A4).pdf300 DPI

Passport Size Photos

A4 · 210 × 297 mm · 2 × 2 in

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