USA Passport photo checker

This document in numbers

Your file is compared against these numbers. Where they come from is stated below.

  • Size2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm)
  • Head height49–69% of the frame height
  • Eye line55–70% up from the bottom edge
  • BackgroundPure white
  • File600 × 600 px
  • Photo agethe authority does not publish this

Where these numbers come from

Checked word for word

The numbers on this page are taken from U.S. Department of State and checked against the official text word for word. Last checked on 21 May 2026.

We say not just where the numbers come from, but how closely they were checked — a general rule and an exact figure are not the same promise.

Open the official source

How it works

  1. Crop and size: 51 × 51 mm, with the head taking up 49–69% of the frame height.
  2. Background: Pure white, even across the whole frame. No pattern, no shadow behind the head, nothing else in the picture.
  3. Head position: look straight into the lens, head upright — not tilted, not turned. Both eyes open and at the same level, face lit evenly, shoulders square to the camera. Glasses: not allowed for this document — take them off before the shot.

Why USA Passport photos are rejected most often

Below are the reasons U.S. Department of State names most often. The checker measures the ones that can be measured from the file — the rest are worth a look before you send the photo.

  1. Photo retouched or filtered
  2. Background not plain
  3. Head height outside 1 to 1⅜ inches
  4. Glasses visible
  5. Photo older than 6 months

Requirements taken from U.S. Department of State passport photos. Last checked against the source on 21 May 2026.

What this check covers

We measure what a file can tell us: proportions, position, colour, sharpness. We cannot tell how old the photo is, whether it was edited, or how the clerk will decide. A green result means the numbers match the U.S. Department of State requirements. The decision itself stays with them.

What we check

  • Frame size, head height and eye line — in millimetres and per cent
  • Head tilt and turn, gaze into the camera, open eyes, closed mouth
  • How even the background is and whether its colour matches the rule
  • Sharpness, shadows and blown highlights, glare on glasses, red eye
  • Format, pixel dimensions, file weight and proportions

What we don't check

  • The authority's decision. A green result means the numbers match the published requirements — not that the photo has been accepted.
  • When the picture was taken. We read the date from the file if it survived, but re-saving wipes it — and many authorities ask for a recent photo.
  • Whether the picture was edited. Retouching, filters and AI changes cannot be proved from a file, and some countries forbid them outright.
  • Whether you have sent this picture before. Some authorities reject a photo that was already used in an earlier application.
  • How the photo will be printed. Paper, trimming and print quality cannot be judged from a file.
  • The route you apply through. Some countries want a code from an approved photographer, or take the picture at the office themselves — a file check does not replace that.
  • The USA ban on edited photos. State Department rules forbid digital alteration, filters and AI changes — matching the numbers does not lift that.
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Frequently asked

Can I wear glasses for a U.S. passport photo?
No. The U.S. Department of State has required no-glasses photos for all new passports since November 2016 (limited medical exception). Take off glasses before the shot.
What if my passport renewal photo gets rejected?
Form DS-82 acceptance officers re-check photos on submission; if rejected your application is held and they ask for a new photo by mail. Average delay 2-4 weeks.
Does the State Department officially accept this checker's verdict?
No checker can guarantee acceptance — only an Acceptance Agent can. This tool measures multiple ICAO 9303 criteria mirrored by the State Department's PPCS guidelines; passing here means you meet the published rules, but final approval rests with the reviewer.
How much does this checker cost?
Free. No registration, no upload, no watermark.
Can I use an iPhone photo for my U.S. passport?
Yes, any modern phone works if the photo is 2×2 inches, head fills 50-69% of frame, plain white/off-white background, and uniform lighting (no harsh shadows). Run the photo through this checker first.
Do U.S. passport photos for infants follow the same rules?
Yes, same composition rules. Lay infants on a plain white sheet, ensure eyes open if possible, no other person in the frame, no pacifier. Acceptance officers are slightly more lenient on infant gaze and expression.