US passport photo maker
US passport photo maker crops a photo to 2 x 2 inches with the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches tall, then makes a 4 x 6 print sheet, all in your browser with no upload.
Paste a photo (Ctrl+V), drag and drop, or click to upload
Image file · processed on your device, never uploaded
Use a well-lit, front-facing photo against a plain wall, with your whole head and the top of your shoulders in the frame.
At a glance
- Accepts
- A photo (JPG, PNG, WebP or another format your browser opens)
- Outputs
- A 600 x 600 px JPEG at 300 DPI, a copy under 240 kB for visa forms, and a 4 x 6 in sheet of six
- Where it runs
- Entirely in your browser, on your device
- What leaves your device
- Nothing - the file never leaves your device
- Limits
- No size or count cap; bounded by your device's memory; checks size and framing only, and the State Department rejects edited backgrounds
- Account
- Not required - there is no sign-up
- Price
- Free, with no watermark and no usage cap
- Made by
- Visrut
- Last updated
- 8 October 2026
A US passport photo is a 2 x 2 inch square, and the part people get wrong is the head size: from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head it has to measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches. The two ovals in the crop window mark exactly that range, so you can zoom until the head sits between them and download a 600 x 600 px JPEG stamped at 300 DPI, which prints at exactly 2 x 2 inches. Six copies fit a standard 4 x 6 in print with no gap. The photo is cropped on your device and never uploaded.
The US photo rules at a glance
| Size | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height | 1 to 1 3/8 in (25 to 35 mm), bottom of chin to top of head |
| Background | White or off-white, with no shadows, texture or lines |
| Expression | Neutral, both eyes open, mouth closed (a smile with the mouth closed is allowed) |
| Glasses | Not allowed; a signed doctor's note is needed if they cannot be removed |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last 6 months |
| Editing | Not allowed - no software, apps, filters or AI changes |
| Visa upload (DS-160) | Square JPEG, 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 px, up to 240 kB |
| Online passport renewal | JPG, JPEG or HEIF, 54 KB to 10 MB; cropped in the application |
When this is the right tool, and when it isn't
- Right for a paper application. If you are mailing a DS-82 renewal or taking a DS-11 to an acceptance facility, you need a printed 2 x 2 in photo, and the State Department accepts one a friend took and printed on photo paper. That is the case this page is built for.
- Right for the DS-160 visa form. The "Download for online upload" button produces a 600 x 600 px JPEG under 240 kB, the size range the visa digital image rules ask for.
- Not needed for online passport renewal. That service crops and checks the photo itself, so upload the original camera file rather than a pre-cropped one.
- Not a fix for a bad background. Replacing the background is editing, which the State Department rejects. If your wall isn't plain white or off-white, retake the photo.
How to make it
- Stand a few feet in front of a plain white or off-white wall and have someone photograph you in even light, glasses off.
- Upload it above. "US passport or visa" is already selected.
- Drag and zoom until your chin and the top of your head sit between the two ovals, with your face on the dashed centre line.
- Keep the background on "Keep original", then download the 4 x 6 in sheet to print, or the online upload file for a visa form.
What it can't do
The tool sizes and frames the photo; it does not judge lighting, focus, shadows, expression or whether your eyes are fully open, and it cannot guarantee acceptance. The acceptance agent, the passport agency or the consulate makes that call. If you want the general version with other countries' sizes, use the Passport Photo Maker.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the background replacement for a US passport photo?
No. The State Department's photo page says not to change your photo with computer software, phone apps, filters or artificial intelligence. Leave the background on 'Keep original' and take the photo in front of a plain white or off-white wall instead. Cropping and resizing to 2 x 2 inches is what the tool is for here.
Can I print a US passport photo at home?
Yes. The State Department lists 'a friend or family member' printing your photo on matte or glossy photo quality paper as an option. Download the 4 x 6 in sheet, which holds six 2 x 2 in copies edge to edge, and print it at 100% scale on photo paper. Plain printer paper, photocopies and scans are not accepted.
Does the file work for the DS-160 visa form?
The visa digital image rules ask for a square JPEG between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels and no larger than 240 kB. The 'Download for online upload' button makes a 600 x 600 px JPEG and lowers the JPEG quality until it is under 240 kB. Whether the photo itself passes is decided by the embassy or consulate.
Do I need this for an online passport renewal?
Usually not. The online renewal asks you to upload a JPG, JPEG or HEIF photo between 54 KB and 10 MB, and lets you crop it in the application, which then checks it. Upload the original photo from your camera instead of a cropped one.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. The State Department asks you to take off eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses. If you cannot remove them for medical reasons, you need a signed note from your doctor with the application.