Passport photo checker
Check any photo against the U.S. passport rules in about 10 seconds. Free preview, no account.
The rules at a glance
U.S. passport- Photo size
- 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm)
- Digital file
- 1200 × 1200 px JPEG at 600 DPI
- Head size
- 1 to 1 3/8 in (25-35 mm), chin to top of head
- Background
- Plain white or off-white, no shadows
- Expression
- Neutral or natural smile, eyes open, mouth closed
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Photo age
- Color photo taken in the last 6 months
- Paper
- Matte or glossy photo paper
The State Department says unacceptable photos are the number one reason it puts passport applications on hold. Upload a photo and we measure it against the published rules on travel.state.gov (opens in a new tab) (rules checked Oct 2026). You see the result for every rule before you decide to pay.
Why photos get rejected
- Acceptable
Like this
Plain white, centered
RejectedToo far away
Head too small
- Rejected
Head tilted
Keep it level
RejectedSide shadow
Face a window
- Rejected
Too dark
Find more light
RejectedGlasses on
Take them off
RejectedBig smile
Close your mouth
RejectedHair over eyes
Keep your eyes clear
How it works
Take or upload your photo
Stand in front of a plain white wall facing a window. The live coach checks distance, tilt and light before it takes the shot, or you can upload a photo you already have.
We crop it and check it
We crop it to size and set a plain white background. No retouching. Then we check head size, eye line, photo size and face count, and show you every result.
Pay once and download
The preview is free. If it passes, pay once ($6.90 or $9.90) to download the photo and, with Digital + Print, a 4×6 sheet to print.
What we measure, and what you confirm
We measure these on your photo, and only these get a check mark:
- Photo size: 2 × 2 in, saved as a 1200 × 1200 px file
- Head height: 1 to 1 3/8 in from chin to the top of the head
- Eye line: 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 in from the bottom
- Exactly one face, looking at the camera
- Head tilt, open eyes and a neutral expression, measured on your device
You confirmthe rest, because no software can judge it reliably: the photo is in color and less than 6 months old, you aren’t wearing glasses, a hat or headphones, and nothing was filtered or retouched. We crop the photo and set a plain white background. We never retouch your face.
Questions
Will my photo be accepted?
No one can promise that. A State Department employee (or the embassy, or USCIS) decides. We check your photo against the published rules (size, head height, eye line and face count) and show you every result before you pay.
Do you change my photo?
Yes, in two ways, and we tell you up front. We crop and resize it to the 2×2 inch layout, and our processor sets the background to plain white. We never retouch your face, skin, hair or expression. The State Department asks for an original, unedited photo on a plain white or off-white background, so take it against a plain white wall: that keeps the background change as small as possible. For online renewal we don't sell an edited file at all.
Can I wear glasses?
No. Glasses haven't been allowed in U.S. passport or visa photos since November 1, 2016. If you can't remove them for medical reasons, include a signed doctor's statement with your application. Take them off and keep your hair away from your eyes.
What do I get, and what does it cost?
Digital, $6.90: your digital photo and a single 2×2 photo file, to download for 7 days. Digital + Print, $9.90: both, plus a 4×6 print sheet as JPEG and PDF, to download for 30 days. You pay once. There's no subscription and no add-ons, and the preview is free.
Is this an official government website?
No. US Passport Photo Online is an independent service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any government agency. The official photo rules are at travel.state.gov (opens in a new tab), and only opr.travel.state.gov (opens in a new tab) can renew a passport online.
Check your photo before you send it
Free preview, no account. You see every result before you pay.
Independent service — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any government agency.