US Passport Photo Check

Photo requirements for a US passport

US passport photo: 600–1,200 px, a white background, head 50–69 % of the frame height, eye line 56–69 % from the bottom.

File

  • Frame proportions1 : 1Crop the photo to the required proportions.
  • Colour photo24-bit colourBlack and white photos are rejected. Take a colour photo: 24 bits, three colour channels.
  • Image size600–1,200 pxResize the image so it matches the required size.
  • File extension.jpg / .jpeg / .pngRename the file to .jpg or .jpeg: the entry form checks the extension as well.
  • File formatJPEG / PNGSave the photo as JPEG / PNG.
  • Image orientationrotation applied to the pixelsThe file stores an EXIF rotation. Re-save the photo with the rotation applied to the pixels, otherwise the system sees it sideways.
  • Photo age≤ 6 monthsThe photo is older than the limit. If the date is wrong but the photo is fresh, re-save it without metadata.
  • File size54 KB – 10 MBRe-save the JPEG so the file fits the size rule.

Composition

  • Eye line position56–69 %Reframe the shot so the eye line lands inside the required band.
  • Horizontal face positionface centred in the frameMove the face to the centre of the frame, leaving the same margin on both sides.
  • Face in the frameexactly one faceThere must be exactly one person facing the camera, with no other people or objects in the frame.
  • Head size50–69 %Reframe the shot so the head takes the required share of the frame height.
  • Head rotationhead facing the cameraFace the camera straight on: the head must not be turned or tilted forward or backward.
  • Head tiltno sideways tiltHold your head straight, without leaning sideways, and keep the eye line horizontal.

Photo quality

  • Backgroundplain white or off-whiteShoot against a plain, evenly lit background of the required tone.
  • Eyes openboth eyes openLook straight into the camera with both eyes open.
  • Face lightingeven face lighting, no shadowsUse even light from the front: no harsh shadows on the face, no blown highlights, no dark patches.
  • Facial expressionclosed mouth, neutral expressionA neutral expression or a natural smile with a closed mouth. An open mouth is rejected.
  • Sharpnesssharp, in-focus photoTake the photo again, focusing on the face and holding the camera steady: blurry shots are rejected.

Source

travel.state.gov

Full requirements and photo examples on the US Department of State website.

Choose a photo