US passport photo 2×2, free
Head sized to State Department rules · 4×6 print sheet · DS-160 file · nothing is uploaded
- 100% free
- No signup
- Nothing uploaded
- 4×6 print sheet
Make a US passport or visa photo from a phone picture in under a minute, free and with no account. The tool finds your head and sizes it to the State Department rule (1 to 1 3/8 in from chin to top of head, in a 2×2 in photo). If your background is already white, it only crops the original, because the State Department does not accept digitally altered photos. Download a 4×6 in sheet to print at any photo counter, or the 600×600 px file for the DS-160 visa form and the Diversity Visa lottery. Everything runs in your browser: your photo is never uploaded.
US passport photo requirements
These are the State Department rules for a passport photo used with a paper form (DS-11 or DS-82). Unacceptable photos are the number one reason applications are put on hold.
- Size: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
- Head: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, centered.
- Color photo taken in the last 6 months.
- Plain white or off-white background, with no shadows, texture or objects.
- Face the camera with both eyes open and mouth closed; a natural smile is OK.
- No glasses, hats, headphones or uniforms (religious or medical exceptions need a signed statement).
- Original photo: no filters, retouching or digital changes.
- Printed in high resolution on matte or glossy photo paper; no photocopies or scans.
Source, checked on 2026-10-31: travel.state.gov
Which photo does each application need?
| Application | What it asks for | What to download here |
|---|---|---|
| New passport or renewal by mail (DS-11, DS-82) | 1 printed photo, 2×2 in | The 4×6 print sheet |
| Passport renewal online | Your original phone photo (JPG, PNG or HEIC, 54 KB–10 MB); their system crops it | Nothing: upload the original photo, not a cropped one |
| Nonimmigrant visa (DS-160) | Digital square photo, 600×600 to 1200×1200 px, JPEG up to 240 KB; some consulates also ask for a printed one | The digital file (600×600, up to 240 KB) |
| Immigrant visa / green card interview (DS-260) | 2 identical printed photos, 2×2 in | The 4×6 print sheet |
| Diversity Visa lottery entry | Digital photo, 600×600 px, JPEG up to 240 KB | The digital file (600×600, up to 240 KB) |
How to make your US passport photo in 3 steps
Take the photo against a white wall
Ask someone to take it from a few feet away, facing the camera, no glasses, even light and no shadows. Head and shoulders visible.
Upload it and pick passport or visa
The AI finds your head and fits it between the official guides. If the background is already white, the original is kept untouched.
Download and print or upload
Print the 4×6 in sheet as a regular photo print, or download the 600×600 px file for the DS-160 or the DV lottery.
What people use it for
First passport or renewal by mail
Print the 4×6 sheet and cut one 2×2 photo for your DS-11 or DS-82.
US visa (DS-160)
Download the square 600×600 file to upload in the visa form, and print one if your consulate asks for it.
Green card and immigrant visas
Two identical 2×2 photos for the interview come from the same sheet.
Diversity Visa lottery
The entry needs a 600×600 JPEG under 240 KB; the digital download meets that size.
Kids and babies
Lay the baby on a white sheet and take the photo from above with no shadows; the tool crops it to size.
Passport card
It uses the same 2×2 photo as the passport book.
Why this instead of a passport photo app or store
Many passport photo apps charge to download without a watermark, ask for an account, upload your photo to their server or swap the background without telling you. Here you see what happens to your photo.
- Free download of the photo, the 4×6 sheet and the DS-160 file, with no watermark.
- If your background is already white, the original is only cropped, not edited.
- It tells you when an application wants the original photo instead (online renewal).
- Your photo is not uploaded: the AI model runs on your device.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). Your head must measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The tool sizes it for you and you can adjust it between the two guides.
Can I take my own passport photo with my phone?
Yes. The State Department says a friend or family member can take it. Stand a few feet in front of a white or off-white wall, face the camera, remove your glasses and use even light with no shadows. Then upload it here to crop it to 2×2.
Does the background have to be white?
Yes: plain white or off-white, with no shadows, texture or objects. If yours already is, the tool keeps the original photo and only crops it. If not, it can make it white, but the best option is to retake it against a white wall.
Can I use an app to change the background of my passport photo?
The State Department says not to change your photo with software, apps or filters, and that it checks photos for digital changes. That's why this tool only crops the original when the background is already white, and warns you when it had to replace it.
Can I wear glasses or smile in a US passport photo?
No glasses: take them off unless you have a signed medical statement. You can smile naturally, but keep your eyes open and your mouth closed. For online renewal, avoid showing your teeth.
How do I print a 2×2 passport photo?
Download the 4×6 in sheet and print it as a regular 4×6 photo on matte or glossy photo paper, at a drugstore photo counter or any print service. Don't let the printer resize it ('fit to page' off), then cut one photo along the lines.
What photo do I need to renew my passport online?
Upload your original phone photo (JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF, between 54 KB and 10 MB). Their system crops it and checks it, so don't upload a cropped or edited version. This tool is for paper applications and visas.
What are the DS-160 visa photo requirements?
A square color photo in JPEG, from 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels and up to 240 KB, with the head taking 50–69% of the image height. The tool's digital download is 600×600 px and under 240 KB.
What photo size does the Diversity Visa lottery need?
A square JPEG of exactly 600×600 pixels, up to 240 KB. Use the digital download; for the interview, if you are selected, you will need two printed 2×2 photos.
How recent does the photo need to be?
Taken within the last 6 months and showing how you look now.
Is my photo uploaded to a server?
No. The AI model runs inside your browser and the photo never leaves your device.
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