50.8 × 50.8 mm (2 × 2 in) · 600 × 600 px · 25.4–34.9 mm · white
Official measurements
The office that issues this document does not accept a photo whose background has been removed or replaced. Take the photo against a plain white or light wall and use the free crop.
Choose a photo, line your face up with the guides, then download the photo at the exact pixel size and a print sheet with as many copies as fit. Your photo is processed on your device and not uploaded.
Before you start: stand in front of a plain white or light wall, ask someone else to take the photo, face even light (a window works well), and turn off filters and beauty mode.
JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 40 megapixels
This free tool only crops and resizes. It does not change the background or the lighting, and it cannot guarantee that your photo will be accepted.
Many governments, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Korea, Taiwan and China for passports, reject photos whose background has been digitally removed or replaced. For those, take the photo against a plain white or light wall and use the free No-edit crop.
Need a plain background for a CV, a form or a studio-size print? The AI tool swaps it in for 10 credits (≈ US$0.40 on the Starter plan). It does not fix lighting or shadows.
25.4–34.9 mm (top of the hair; 50–69% of the photo height)
Eye line from the bottom
28.6–34.9 mm
Background
white
4 × 6 in print sheet
2 photos per sheet
Source
U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov (Passport Photos; DS-160 digital image requirements)
Last checked
The U.S. Department of State uses the same 2 × 2 in photo for passports and for the DS-160 visa form, and a digital copy must be at least 600 × 600 px. Glasses are not allowed in U.S. passport photos.
Photo check
Do this, avoid that
DoSoft window light, plain wall
AvoidHarsh overhead light, busy background
DoNeutral expression, eyes open, hair off the face
AvoidBig smile, tilted head, sunglasses
What the US passport and visa photo needs
A US passport and visa photo is 50.8 × 50.8 mm, which is 2 × 2 in. The editor exports it at 600 × 600 px, enough for a sharp print at 300 dpi.
The rule measures the head from the chin to the top of the hair: it must be 25.4–34.9 mm, which is 50–69% of the photo height. The editor draws this band on the frame so you can place the chin inside it.
The eyes should sit 28.6–34.9 mm above the bottom edge.
The background must be plain white, with no shadows, patterns or objects behind you.
On a 4 × 6 in (10 × 15 cm) sheet, 2 photos fit with cut lines. Print it at 100% scale, not “fit to page”, and cut along the lines.
The same 2 × 2 in size is also used for: USCIS green card photo, Indian visa photo, OCI card photo, and 2 × 2 in photo. The head size or background can still differ, so choose the exact document.
Check the latest rules
These measurements were last checked on 2026-10-14 against the source above. Photo rules change and offices can be strict, so check your government's or embassy's current requirements before you print or submit. We cannot guarantee that a photo will be accepted.
FAQ
Questions about the US passport and visa photo
What size is a US passport and visa photo?
50.8 × 50.8 mm, which is 2 × 2 in. As a digital file it is 600 × 600 px.
How big should the head be in a US passport and visa photo?
25.4–34.9 mm from the chin to the top of the hair, which is 50–69% of the photo height.
What background colour does a US passport and visa photo need?
The background must be plain white, with no shadows, patterns or objects behind you.
Can I print a US passport and visa photo at home or at a photo shop?
Yes. Download the 4 × 6 in sheet with 2 photos, print it at 100% scale on photo paper at home or at any photo lab, then cut along the lines.
Will my US passport and visa photo be accepted?
We cannot promise that. The editor helps you match the size and head height, but offices also check the background, lighting, expression, glasses and how recent the photo is. Check your government's latest rules before you submit.
How do I make a US passport and visa photo with Methodhelm?
Take a front-facing photo against a plain white or light wall, then open the free crop on this page. Choose your photo, line your face up with the 2 × 2 in guides and download the photo or a print sheet. It runs on your device and keeps your original photo as it is.
Is a US visa photo the same as a US passport photo?
The size and head rules are the same. For the DS-160 visa form you upload a square JPEG of 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px, no larger than 240 kB, and the embassy or consulate decides whether it is accepted.
Take the photo against a plain white or light wall, then crop it to 2 × 2 in with the free tool on this page. It keeps your original photo, runs on your device and costs nothing.
