How to Make a Passport Photo
Create a US passport photo at home: exact 2 x 2 inch size, correct resolution, centered face. Resize it in your browser.
The exact passport photo recipe: a centered face cropped to 2 x 2 inches at 300 DPI, which is 600 x 600 pixels.
How it works
The short answer
Take a front facing photo on a plain background, crop to your face, then resize to exactly 2 x 2 inches at 300 DPI, which is 600 x 600 pixels. The passport resizer here does the size for you in your browser.
The required dimensions
A US passport photo must be exactly 2 x 2 inches. At 300 DPI that is 600 x 600 pixels, which is the exact resolution the passport resizer targets so your file meets the requirement.
Composition matters
Your head should be centered and sized so it fills most of the frame, with eyes level, face forward and a neutral expression. Getting the composition right before resizing avoids a rejected photo.
Background and lighting
Use a plain, light, uncluttered background with even lighting and no shadows on your face. Avoid reflections on glasses, keep your hair away from your face, and follow the official guidance for the country you apply in.
Printing and uploading
For an uploaded application, the 600 x 600 file is used directly. For a printed photo, print it at exactly 2 x 2 inches. The print size and DPI calculators confirm the math either way.
Resize in your browser
The resizer here sets the exact 600 x 600 dimensions and 300 DPI so your photo meets the requirement, all without uploading your image anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What pixel size is a US passport photo?
600 x 600 pixels, which equals 2 x 2 inches at 300 DPI.
Can I take a passport photo at home?
Yes. Use a plain background and even lighting, then crop and resize to the exact 2 x 2 inch size.
What resolution does a passport photo need?
300 DPI, which for 2 x 2 inches means 600 x 600 pixels.
How large should my face be in the photo?
Your head should fill most of the frame, typically 1 to 1.375 inches from chin to crown within the 2 x 2 inch area.