Free US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) Photo Checker – Requirements, Size & Online Tool

Take a photo with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly check if it meets the official requirements for US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) photo. If not, we’ll help you fix it – 100% online.

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US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) Size Guide with dimensions in inches and mm

US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) Requirements Overview

Learn about US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) photo requirements for United States. Photos must have a white background. Specific head positioning requirements apply. These photos are suitable for printing. Photos can be used for online applications.

Official Documentation:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/photo-composition-template.htmlhttps://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

Official US Passport Photo Requirements

Source: U.S. Department of State • Last updated: 11/28/2025

Photo Requirements Guide

What Makes a Good Photo

Correct Photo Composition

•Neutral facial expression
•White or off-white background
•Head centered in frame
•Both eyes clearly visible
•No shadows on face or background

Proper Child Photo

•Child facing camera directly
•Eyes open (slight exception for infants)
•Plain white background
•No other people visible
•Head properly sized in frame

Religious Head Covering

•Face fully visible from hairline to chin
•Signed statement included
•Worn daily for religious reasons
•No shadows cast on face
•Plain background maintained

Common Photo Problems

Wrong Background

•Textured or patterned backgrounds
•Shadows visible behind subject
•Colored or gradient backgrounds
•Objects or walls in background
•Uneven lighting

Prohibited Head Coverings

•Baseball caps or casual hats
•Fashion headbands or accessories
•Non-religious head coverings
•Items that obscure hairline
•Hats worn for style purposes

Digital Alterations

•Photo editing or retouching
•Digital filters or effects
•Image stretching or distortion
•Color manipulation
•Background replacement

💡 Note: For official photo examples and additional requirements, visit the official U.S. Department of State documentation.

Photo Specifications

2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size
Color photo taken within the last 6 months
Head must be 1 to 1⅜ inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head
High resolution, not blurry, grainy, or pixelated
Printed on matte or glossy photo paper
No digital alterations or filters applied
No photocopies or scanned images accepted
No damaged photos (holes, creases, smudges, or tears)

Facial Requirements

Neutral facial expression or natural smile
Both eyes open and clearly visible
Mouth closed (small smile acceptable)
Directly facing the camera
Full face in view from hairline to bottom of chin
Face must be centered in the photo
Natural skin tone with no shadows on face or background

Background Requirements

White or off-white background only
Plain background without texture, patterns, or lines
No shadows visible on background or face
Background must be uniform in color and lighting
No objects, walls, or other people visible in background

Clothing and Accessories

No eyeglasses or sunglasses (exceptions require medical documentation)
No hats or head coverings (religious exceptions require signed statement)
No uniforms or camouflage clothing
No face coverings, medical masks, or bandanas
No headphones, earbuds, or wireless devices visible
Jewelry and facial piercings allowed if they don't obscure facial features

Special Considerations

Religious head coverings permitted with signed statement that it's worn daily for religious reasons
Medical head coverings require doctor's note explaining medical necessity
For infants and young children, eyes don't need to be completely open
Babies can be photographed lying on white sheet or in car seat with white cover
No other people should appear in the photo
Photo must show your current appearance - no old photos

Technical Quality Standards

Sharp focus with clear details
Natural lighting with no harsh shadows
Proper exposure - not too dark or too light
Natural color balance - no red-eye or color distortion
Sufficient contrast between subject and background
Professional photo quality - home snapshots may not meet standards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using photos older than 6 months
Wearing eyeglasses in the photo
Having shadows on face or background
Using textured or patterned backgrounds
Photo is too blurry or low resolution
Head size is too large or too small in frame
Not facing camera directly
Smiling too broadly or making facial expressions

Official documentation: U.S. Department of State

Document Requirements

Name	US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm)
Country	United States
Document Type	Passport
Passport Picture Size	Width: 2in, Height: 2in
Resolution (Dpi)	300
Required Size In Kilobytes	From: 0 to: 240
Image Definition Parameters	Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Make sure the eye height is between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
Background Color
Printable?	Yes
Suitable For Online Submission?	Yes
Web Links To Official Documents	https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/photo-composition-template.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

📷 How to Take a US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm) at Home

💡 Use natural or soft lighting. Avoid shadows or harsh flash.
🧱 Stand in front of a plain white or light-colored wall.
📏 Hold camera at eye level, about 1.5 meters away.
😐 Keep a neutral expression. Don’t smile or tilt your head.

🧑‍⚖️ Appearance Requirements

✅ Eyes open and directly facing the camera
✅ Head straight, not tilted
❌ No glasses (unless allowed by local rules)
❌ No white tops or uniforms
✅ Religious head coverings must not obscure the face
✅ Even lighting on face and background

🧪 How our photo checker works

Upload your photo here — we’ll check if it meets official requirements
❌ Not compliant? → We’ll fix it automatically in seconds
Download JPG / 4x6 layout and print anywhere

🔍 What we check and generate for you:

Task	Our Tool
Check head size & position	✅ Free analyzer
Check eye level	✅ Included in checker
Background compliance (e.g. white or light gray)	✅ Auto background removal
Match file size and DPI	✅ Optimized output
Export 4x6" layout paper sheet	✅ One click download

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