What size is a United States passport photo?
TL;DR A United States passport photo is 51 × 51 mm on a plain white or off-white background, supplied at 600 × 600 px (300 DPI). The expression must be neutral or natural smile, looking directly at camera, and the photo must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Specification at a glance
| Print size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI |
| Background | plain white or off-white (#FFFFFF) |
| Expression | Neutral or natural smile |
| Gaze | Directly at camera |
| Maximum age of photo | 6 months |
Rules that apply to this document
- No glasses (banned since 2016)
- No head coverings except religious
Can I wear a head covering?
A habitually worn religious or cultural head covering — a tudung, hijab, turban, kippah or songkok — is generally permitted, provided your face stays visible: forehead edge, both cheeks, jaw line and chin.
Where these figures come from
Compiled from this document's published requirements when the catalogue was built. We have not recorded a single authoritative page for this one, so we cannot point you at it — requirements also change, so confirm with the issuing authority before you rely on it. Published by the issuing authority: travel.state.gov. SGfoto is independent, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government or issuing authority, and does not guarantee acceptance. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.
Common questions
- What size is a United States passport photo?
- A United States passport photo is 51 × 51 mm, printed or supplied digitally at 600 × 600 pixels (300 DPI), on a plain white or off-white background.
- Can I take a United States passport photo with my phone?
- Yes. Take a plain, front-facing photo in even light and SGfoto reformats it to 51 × 51 mm on a plain white or off-white background. Hold the phone at eye level — a shot from above or below looks less like you.
- How recent must a United States passport photo be?
- It must have been taken within the last 6 months.
- Can I wear a head covering in a United States passport photo?
- A habitually worn religious or cultural head covering — a tudung, hijab, turban, kippah or songkok — is generally permitted, provided your face stays visible: forehead edge, both cheeks, jaw line and chin.
- How much does a United States passport photo cost on SGfoto?
- The watermarked preview is free, so you see the result before paying. The full-resolution file is S$1.99.
Make a United States passport photo →
Free watermarked preview. S$1.99 for the full-resolution file.