US Passport / Visa photo — correct size, accepted first time
Upload your photo and OnSpec formats it to the exact United States specification: 2 × 2 in · 51 × 51 mm at 600 DPI, with the head positioned inside the accepted range. The crop and a watermarked preview are free.
Spec verified against the official United States requirements · last checked 2026-07-26.
US applications reject AI-edited photos — including software-replaced backgrounds. Shoot against a real plain-white wall; use removal only if you must.
Upload a photo to position it inside the frame
2 × 2 in · 51 × 51 mm · 1200 × 1200 px @ 600 DPI
The crop and a watermarked sample are free. Unlock removes the watermark and gives you the print-ready file plus a 4×6 sheet, backed by our acceptance guarantee for the specifications we control.
Your photo is processed on this device — including background removal. If you hand it over from your phone, that transfer is end-to-end encrypted: our server only ever holds a blob it can’t read, deleted the moment your computer picks it up.
United States photo requirements
A U.S. passport photo is a 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) square — the same photo works for passport books, passport cards, and most U.S. visa applications. The two things that trip people up most are the head size (your head must fill a fairly narrow band of the square) and the background, which has to be plain white or off-white with no shadow. OnSpec sizes the file to exactly 51 x 51 mm at 600 DPI and shows a head-height guide so you can position yourself inside the accepted range before you pay.
- Photo size
- 2 × 2 in · 51 × 51 mm
- File at 600 DPI
- 1200 × 1200 px
- Head height
- 25–35 mm
- Background
- #FFFFFF
- Photo must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), in colour, taken within the last 6 months.
- Your head, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm).
- Use a plain white or off-white background, free of shadows, textures, or other objects.
- Face the camera directly with a neutral expression or a natural smile — both eyes open, mouth closed.
- No glasses. Remove all eyeglasses; they are only allowed with a signed doctor's note for medical reasons.
- No hats or head coverings, except worn daily for religious reasons (needs a signed statement) or medical reasons (needs a doctor's note).
- No uniforms, clothing that resembles a uniform, or camouflage.
- Submit the original, unedited photo — no computer software, phone-app filters, or AI, including a software-replaced background. The State Department checks for this and rejects altered photos.
How to make a compliant United States photo
- 1.Take or choose a recent, front-facing colour photo against a plain light wall, with even lighting and no shadows.
- 2.Upload it to OnSpec and select US Passport / Visa.
- 3.Drag and zoom so the top of your head sits near the upper guide line and your chin near the lower one — this keeps your head within the required 1 to 1 3/8 inch range.
- 4.Shoot against a real plain white or off-white wall — the State Department rejects AI or software-replaced backgrounds, so background removal is off by default and best used only as a last resort.
- 5.Download the print-ready 51 x 51 mm file, or the 4x6 sheet to print multiple copies at a pharmacy or photo kiosk.
Why United States photos get rejected
- Head too large or too small — outside the 1 to 1 3/8 inch (25–35 mm) chin-to-crown range.
- Shadows on the face or on the wall behind you.
- Wearing glasses — since 2016 they are not allowed except with a signed medical note.
- Off-white or coloured background, or visible texture on the wall.
- Smiling with an open mouth, squinting, or eyes not clearly visible.
- Wearing a uniform or camouflage clothing.
- AI, filter, or software edits — including a software-replaced background. Since 2026 the State Department checks for this and rejects altered photos.
Our acceptance guarantee for the US covers the specifications OnSpec controls: the 2 x 2 in (1200 x 1200 px) size, the white background colour, and the 1 to 1 3/8 in head height. It does not cover acceptance of a background produced with our AI background-removal feature — the State Department rejects AI or software-edited photos, so background removal is off by default; shoot against a real plain-white wall and use removal only if you must.
Requirements formatted from the official United States guidance. Spec last verified 2026-07-26. Rules can change — always check the official source before submitting.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo?
Exactly 2 x 2 inches, which is 51 x 51 mm. OnSpec exports at 600 DPI, so the file is exactly 1200 x 1200 pixels — the State Department's digital maximum per side.
How big should my head be in a US passport photo?
Your head, measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, must be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm). On a 2-inch photo that is roughly 50% to 69% of the height.
Can I wear glasses in my US passport photo?
No. Since November 2016 eyeglasses are not permitted in U.S. passport photos, except when you cannot remove them for medical reasons and include a signed doctor's note.
Can I smile?
A neutral expression or a natural smile is fine, as long as both eyes are open and your mouth is closed.
What background colour is required?
Plain white or off-white, with no shadows, textures, or other objects. The State Department rejects backgrounds replaced with software or AI, so shoot against a real plain-white wall — OnSpec's background removal is off by default for US photos.