US Passport 2x2 inch (51x51 mm): size, requirements & free photo checker
Get a fully compliant US Passport 2x2 inch photo without a studio visit. Upload a phone photo and PhotoDocs crops, resizes and cleans the background to the official United States specification below, ready to print. You get a free, measured pass/fail report before paying anything.
Official requirements
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 600 × 600 px (299 DPI) |
| Head height | 50–69% of the photo height (chin to crown) |
| Background | plain white or off-white |
| Expression | Look straight into the camera with a relaxed, closed-mouth expression |
| Eyes & face | Both eyes open and clearly visible; no hair across the face |
| Lighting | Even lighting, no shadows on the face or behind the head |
| Glasses & headwear | No glasses (unless medically required) and no hats except religious wear that leaves the face clear |
| Recency & editing | Taken within the last 6 months, unedited — no filters or retouching |
| Framing | Head 25–35 mm from chin to top of hair (1–1 3/8 in), 50–69% of photo height |
| Framing | Eyes 56–69% up from the bottom edge (the State Dept tool checks this) |
How to make your United States photo
- Upload or capture a photo. Take a selfie against a plain wall, or use the guided camera. Any recent phone photo works.
- We fit it to the spec. Automatic face detection, cropping to 51 × 51 mm (600 × 600 px) and background cleanup to a plain white or off-white background.
- Check for free, then download. Read the free pass/fail compliance report. Download the full-resolution digital photo plus a print-ready 4×6″ sheet for €5.
Frequently asked questions
- What size is a US Passport 2x2 inch photo?
- 51 × 51 mm — 600 × 600 px at 299 DPI. The head must fill 50–69% of the photo height, measured from the chin to the top of the head.
- What background does the United States photo need?
- A plain white or off-white background. Our tool removes and replaces your background automatically to meet this.
- Can I take this photo at home with my phone?
- Yes. Take a selfie against a plain wall (or use our guided camera), and we crop, resize and clean the background to the exact United States specification. You see a free pass/fail compliance report before you pay.
- How much does it cost?
- The compliance check and watermarked preview are free. The full-resolution digital photo plus a print-ready 4×6″ sheet is €5 — the price is shown upfront, unlike most photo sites.