US passport photo checker
Measured against the U.S. Department of State’s published rules: a 2×2 inch photo, head 1–1⅜ inches, plain white or off-white background — and an original, unedited photo.
We measure, we don’t certify. IDPhotoCheck checks your photo against the published measurements — the issuing authority makes the final decision, and no tool can promise approval.
What this tool will not do to a US photo
The official US rule requires your original, unedited photo: no filters, no retouching, and no software-changed backgrounds. So this checker measures and crops — and refuses to replace the background or “beautify” a face — for US documents. If your background is not white, the honest fix is a retake against a plain white wall or sheet. Why we refuse to edit your photo →
Tap to choose a photo, or drop it here
JPG, PNG, WebP or HEIC — processed on your device, never uploaded
We measure, we don’t certify. IDPhotoCheck checks your photo against the published measurements — the issuing authority makes the final decision, and no tool can promise approval.
The official rules this page checks
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | Head 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head, on a 51 mm photo |
| Eye line | Eyes 1⅛–1⅜ in (28–35 mm) from the bottom edge (composition template) |
| Background | White or off-white background |
The State Department publishes print dimensions for passport photos; this tool exports a 600×600 px file at the same 1:1 framing.
Source: U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos (travel.state.gov) (official page). Values checked 2026-11-08. If the official page and this table ever disagree, the official page wins — please tell us.
The State Department also requires: photo taken within the last 6 months; neutral expression or a natural smile with both eyes open; no glasses; no uniforms; no head covering except for religious or medical reasons. A tool can measure pixels and geometry — recency and expression are yours to judge.
The rule most tools break: no editing
Many “passport photo” services quietly replace your background or retouch your face. For a US passport that is exactly what the rules prohibit — the photo must be your original, unedited image. IDPhotoCheck is a checker first: it will crop and size your file, but it will not repaint a background for a US document. Our no-edit policy explains the rule and the reasoning, and the full US requirements page lists every published rule with its source.
Applying for a visa or the DV Lottery instead?
The DS-160 upload and the Diversity Visa entry use the State Department’s digital image rules (600×600 px, JPEG ≤240 KB) — check those on the main checker (pick “US visa / DS-160” or “DV Lottery”) or the dedicated DV Lottery checker. For a child’s first passport, use the baby photo checker — the rules for infants are different and kinder.
Questions
What size is a US passport photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head measuring 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head — U.S. Department of State, “Passport Photos”.
Can I edit my US passport photo or change the background?
No. The State Department requires your most recent, original photo and prohibits software editing of it. This checker measures and crops only, and refuses background replacement for US documents.
Can I wear glasses?
No — eyeglasses are not allowed in US passport photos (removed glasses are fine). Head coverings are allowed only for religious or medical reasons, with the required statement.
Failed the background check? The background checker isolates just the backdrop, and why passport photos are rejected covers the most common refusal reasons.