How to Format and Crop US Passport Photos Digitally
Don't let your passport application get rejected. Learn the strict US Department of State photo requirements and how to crop them perfectly.
The US Department of State has incredibly strict requirements for digital passport photos. A shadow on the wall, the wrong background color, or incorrect pixel dimensions will trigger an automatic rejection of your application.
The Exact Pixel Dimensions
Unlike European visas which require rectangular portraits, US Passport photos must be a perfect square. When uploading digitally via the government portal, the file must meet these exact specifications:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 600 x 600 pixels (Minimum) |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1 (Square) |
| File Format | JPEG (.jpg) |
| File Size | Between 54 KB and 240 KB |
| Color | sRGB color space (Standard) |
How to frame your face
Your head must be directly facing the camera with a neutral expression. Once you have a well-lit photo against a white wall, use our Passport Photo Resizer to apply the strict 600x600 crop.
- The bottom of your chin to the top of your head should fill roughly 50% to 69% of the square.
- Leave blank space above your head.
- Make sure your shoulders are visible at the bottom of the frame.
Dealing with File Size Rejections
If you export your 600x600 photo from an iPhone or modern camera, it will likely exceed the strict 240 KB size limit. If the portal rejects your upload due to file size, you must use an Image Compressor to reduce the megabyte size while keeping the 600px dimensions intact.