U.S. passport photo size: 2 × 2 inches
A square image is only the starting point. The U.S. printed passport reference is 2 × 2 inches, with crown-to-chin height between 25 and 35 mm. Use the original photo taken against the appropriate real backdrop; replacing the background does not make it passport-ready.
Official source checked · Independent DodoHistory reference
- Format reference
- 2 × 2 inches (50.8 × 50.8 mm)
- Pixels
- 600 × 600 pixels at 300 ppi
- Backdrop reference
- White or off-white
Read the complete U.S. Department of State requirements ↗
Understand the template in the photo studio
Open this document reference. Background editing remains optional and must only be used where the recipient permits it.
Open United States format reference →What does 600 × 600 pixels mean?
Our 300 ppi conversion is 2 inches × 300 pixels per inch = 600 pixels on each side. This is a print-layout reference, not a universal upload requirement. An image can have the right pixel count while showing the wrong composition. Changing a resolution label alone does not recover missing detail.
Use the original photo as your reference
The Department of State requires an unchanged photograph and does not accept background replacement for this use. Our optional portrait background editor is a separate feature. For a passport, keep the original background and consult the authority’s full instructions, including its distinct online-renewal upload guidance.
Review the crop before printing
Open the U.S. template, load your original and inspect the framing guides if helpful. Auto-framing finds a face box; it does not measure crown-to-chin height or certify acceptance. The download review flags enlargement and shows dimensions. If using a print sheet as a layout reference, select actual size and the matching paper size in your print software.
Common questions
Is a 600 × 600 image automatically acceptable?
No. That pixel count represents a 2-inch square at 300 ppi. Composition, image quality and the application’s current rules still matter.
Can I use a blue edited background?
The U.S. passport reference uses white or off-white, and background replacement is not acceptable. Use the portrait editor only for other recipients that permit it.