People often mix up the rules for a US passport photo and a US visa photo, and the pixel numbers you find online usually belong to the visa program. This guide separates them, shows where each figure comes from, and explains how to prepare a photo for free.
Check before you submit. The State Department updates its pages, and the figures below were checked in October 2026 against the official pages listed in Sources. Open the page for your application type and confirm the current rules, including background, expression and glasses.
The sizes at a glance
| Photo | Size | File |
|---|---|---|
| Printed US passport photo | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm); head 1 to 1 3/8 in (25 to 35 mm) from chin to top of head | Printed photo |
| Online passport renewal upload | Follow the 2 x 2 in framing above | JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF; 54 KB to 10 MB |
| US visa and Diversity Visa digital photo | Square, 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 px; head 22 to 35 mm (50% to 69% of image height) | JPEG only; 240 KB or less |
The State Department's passport photo page also notes that your hair may extend past the edge of the photo as long as your whole head is shown at the correct size.
Is 600 x 600 pixels the passport size?
Not by itself. The 600 x 600 pixel minimum comes from the visa digital image page. The online passport upload page lists accepted file types and a file size range instead. A square image of at least 600 x 600 pixels is a safe starting point for either, but always use the numbers on the page for your own application.
How to make a digital photo for free
- Take a clear photo facing the camera in even light, against a plain background.
- Crop to a square with your head centered, using the Crop tool.
- Resize with the Resize tool: choose the US passport 2x2 (600x600) preset, or enter a square size between 600 and 1200 pixels.
- Set the format and size limit. In the same tool choose JPG as the output and enter 240 as the maximum file size in KB if you need a visa photo. For the passport upload, keep the file between 54 KB and 10 MB.
- Fix the background if needed with the Background Remover and the BG Color Changer, then check the official background rule for your application.
Tip: Start from a larger, sharp photo and scale it down. Enlarging a small photo does not add detail and can get a photo rejected for quality.
Other countries
Sizes differ by country. See our passport photo size guide for the UK, Canada, EU and more, and confirm the exact figures on the official website of the country you apply to.
Sources
- US Department of State: U.S. Passport Photos — 2 x 2 inch size and head size for passport photos.
- US Department of State: Uploading a Digital Photo — online renewal accepted file types and 54 KB to 10 MB size range.
- US Department of State: Digital Image Requirements (visas) — square 600 to 1200 px, JPEG, 240 KB or less, head size.
Checked against the official pages in October 2026. Platforms change their rules without notice, so confirm on the linked page before you publish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a US passport photo?
A printed US passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with the head between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
What file size and format does the online passport renewal accept?
The State Department lists JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF files with a size between 54 KB and 10 MB. Check the upload page for the current rules.
What are the digital photo rules for a US visa?
The digital image must be square, between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels, in JPEG format, and 240 KB or less, with the head 22 to 35 mm (50% to 69% of the image height).
How do I get a photo under 240 KB?
Resize it to a square between 600 and 1200 pixels, choose JPG and set 240 as the maximum file size in the free Resize tool. The tool lowers the JPG quality until the file fits.
Can I use a photo I took at home?
Many applications accept a self-taken digital photo if it meets the official rules for size, framing, lighting and background. Read the State Department page for your application first.