The official US specification
From the State Department's published requirements:
- Size: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51mm), square.
- Digital uploads: at least 600 × 600 pixels, at most 1200 × 1200, and under 240KB as JPEG.
- Head height: between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25–35mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
- Eye position: between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches (28–35mm) from the bottom of the photo.
- Background: plain white or off-white, no shadows.
- Taken within the last 6 months, in colour.
- No glasses. Banned since November 2016 except on documented medical grounds.
- Neutral expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
Framing a square photo correctly
Because the frame is square, a standard portrait photo needs cropping on the top and bottom rather than the sides — which is the opposite of what most people expect and a frequent source of rejections.
Work to the eye-line rule: with the 600px preset, your eyes should sit roughly 340–400 pixels up from the bottom edge, and the head should span about 300–420 pixels from chin to crown. Set the crop, check those two proportions, then resize.
Meeting the 240KB upload limit
The online application caps the file at 240KB. A 600 × 600 JPEG at good quality typically lands between 80KB and 150KB, so you usually have room to spare.
If you have gone with the 1200 × 1200 maximum and exceeded 240KB, compress to a target size rather than dropping to 600px — more pixels at moderate quality is generally better than fewer pixels here.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
- No. Glasses have been prohibited since November 2016, with a narrow exception for medical reasons that requires a signed doctor's note.
- Is 600x600 pixels enough?
- Yes — it is the stated minimum and it satisfies 300 DPI at 2 × 2 inches. You may submit up to 1200 × 1200 if you prefer more detail, as long as you stay under 240KB.
- Can I smile?
- A natural smile is acceptable. An exaggerated expression is not, and your mouth should be closed with both eyes clearly visible.
- Does the same size work for a US visa?
- Yes. US visa photos use the same 2 × 2 inch specification as passport photos.