How to make a 2×2 passport photo at home
Your photo
Cropped to 2 × 2 inch- Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall with even lighting and no shadows on your face or the background.
- Ask someone to take the photo from about 4 feet away at eye level. Face the camera, eyes open, neutral expression or a natural smile. Take off your glasses.
- Upload the photo with United States selected. Zoom until your head (chin to top of hair line) sits between the guide lines, which represent 1 to 1⅜ inches.
- Download the 4 × 6″ sheet, which holds two 2 × 2 photos, and print it at actual size on photo paper. Cut along the marks and measure before you apply.
US passport photo requirements at a glance
| Size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head size | 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Recency | Taken in the last 6 months |
| Digital file | 600 × 600 px from this tool (300 DPI) |
Applying for a US visa instead? Use the DS-160 visa photo maker, which also creates the 600 × 600 px JPEG under 240 KB required by the online form. Always check the State Department photo guidance ↗.


