How to make a passport photo at home
- Take the photo. Stand about 4 feet from a plain white or off-white wall, facing a window or soft light. Ask someone to take the photo at eye level with the rear camera – not a selfie.
- Line it up. Add the photo above, then drag and zoom until the head fills the dashed oval and the eyes sit inside the blue band.
- Download what you need. Use the digital passport photo for online renewal, the visa photo for a US visa or DV Lottery entry, or the 4×6 print sheet for a paper application.
- Print and cut. Print the sheet as a regular 4×6 inch photo at 100% / actual size – not "fit" or "fill". Cut along the gray lines to get six 2×2 photos.
US passport photo requirements
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Head size | 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, with no shadows or patterns |
| Expression | Neutral expression or a natural smile, both eyes open, facing the camera |
| Glasses | Not allowed (except with a signed medical statement) |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months, in color |
| Online renewal file | JPEG, between 54 KB and 10 MB, not filtered or edited to change your appearance |
| Visa / DV Lottery file | Square JPEG, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px, 240 KB or smaller |
ConvertKettle is not affiliated with the U.S. government. Rules can change, so always check the latest requirements on the official U.S. Department of State website before you submit.
Tips for a photo that gets accepted
- Use even light from the front. Shadows on the face or the wall behind are a common reason for rejection.
- Take off hats, headphones and glasses, and keep hair away from the eyes. Religious head coverings worn daily are allowed with a signed statement.
- Wear everyday clothes – no uniforms or camouflage – and avoid white tops that blend into the background.
- Don't use filters, beauty modes or heavy editing. The State Department rejects photos that change how you look.
- Hold the camera at eye level, about 4 feet away. Phone selfies held at arm's length distort the face.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The head, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair, must be between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm).
What file size does online passport renewal accept?
The State Department's online renewal accepts a photo file between 54 KB and 10 MB. The Download passport photo button saves a 1200 × 1200 pixel JPG that normally falls well inside that range.
What is the difference between the passport and visa photo downloads?
US visa and Diversity Visa (DV Lottery) photos must be square, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels and no larger than 240 KB. The visa download is a 600 × 600 JPG kept under 240 KB. The passport download is larger and sharper for online renewal.
Can I print my passport photo at CVS, Walgreens or Walmart?
Yes. Download the 4×6 print sheet and order it as a standard 4×6 inch photo print at any pharmacy or photo kiosk, choosing the option that doesn't crop the picture. Then cut out one of the six photos.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in US passport photos unless you have a signed medical statement.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
Yes. A neutral expression or a natural smile is fine, as long as both eyes are open and you are facing the camera directly.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The photo is edited inside your browser and never leaves your device.
Why make your own passport photo?
A set of two passport photos at a pharmacy or shipping store typically costs $15 or more, and you only get the shot the clerk takes. Making the photo yourself is free, you can retake it as many times as you like until you're happy, and you end up with six prints on one 4×6 sheet – which usually costs well under a dollar to print at a photo kiosk.
It also saves a trip. If you're renewing your passport online, you don't need a print at all: just upload the digital file this tool creates. Families renewing several passports can make every photo at home in a few minutes.
Passport photos for babies and children
Children need a new photo each time they apply, and the same rules apply: plain white background, eyes open, no one else in the picture. For a baby, lay them on their back on a plain white sheet and take the photo from directly above, or cover a car seat with a white sheet. Babies don't need to have their eyes fully open, and nobody else's hands should be visible.
Other photos you can make with this tool
The same 2×2 inch format is used for US visa applications, the Diversity Visa (DV Lottery), green card and naturalization forms, and some state and school ID cards. Always check the specific form's instructions, as a few use different sizes. Need a different size for a job portal or online form? Use Resize Image with a preset, or get the file under a size limit with Compress Image.
Common reasons passport photos are rejected
- Shadows on the face or behind the head, usually from a single overhead light.
- Wrong head size – too far from the camera or zoomed in too much. The guide oval prevents this.
- Blurry or low-resolution photos, often from older phones or screenshots.
- Glasses, hats or headphones left on.
- Edited or filtered images, including phone "portrait" or beauty effects.