Pick the country, the document, and a sample photo. The checklist below tells you which rule passes, which fails, and by how much.
Quick answer
A US passport photo must be 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with your head measuring 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown — about 50–69% of the photo height — on a plain white or off-white background. For online renewal the digital file must be 54 KB to 10 MB. These are the same numbers the State Department has published since its last update on 24 Mar 2026; there is no formal "October 2025" rule change in the Federal Register.
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Print size | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows |
| Digital file (online renewal) | 54 KB – 10 MB |
Other countries differ: the UK and most of Schengen use 35×45 mm prints, Canada uses 50×70 mm. Always size to the issuing country's own spec — the checklist below shows the per-country range and flags what would be rejected.
Sources: US Dept. of State — passport photos · State Dept. — uploading a digital photo · ICAO Doc 9303 (machine-readable travel documents)
Last updated: 12 June 2026 · Data verified: 11 June 2026 against travel.state.gov
2×2 inches, which is 51×51 millimetres. Your head must measure between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head — roughly half to two-thirds of the photo height. The background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows. This is published by the US Department of State and is the same spec that has applied through its most recent update on 24 March 2026.
No. The UK and most Schengen countries use a 35×45 mm print, not the US 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square. A photo cut to US dimensions will be rejected for a UK or EU application, and vice versa. Use the country selector in the checker above and match the exact dimensions and head-height range for the country that is issuing your document, not your home country's format.
There is no formal October 2025 rule change in the US Federal Register or on travel.state.gov. The numeric requirements — 2×2 inches, head 25–35 mm, white background, digital file 54 KB to 10 MB — are unchanged as of the State Department's 24 March 2026 update. Claims of an "October 2025 change" circulate on photo-printing blogs but are not reflected in any official source, so don't reformat a compliant photo because of them.
For US online renewal the uploaded photo must be between 54 KB and 10 MB, and it should be a high-resolution colour image that isn't blurry, grainy or pixelated. Other countries set their own portal limits — the UK digital service, for example, asks for at least 50 KB and no more than 10 MB. Check the digital path in the tool above for the country you're applying to before you upload.
Glasses are generally not allowed in US, UK and Schengen passport photos unless you have a documented medical reason. Head coverings worn daily for religious reasons are usually permitted as long as your full face — from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead — is visible and clear. Rules vary by country, so confirm with the issuing authority linked in the result before you submit.
The most common reasons are an uneven or coloured background, shadows on the face or behind the head, a head that's too large or too small for the required range, glare from glasses, and a print that isn't sized to the millimetre. A plain wall in even light, no flash directly at the wall, and printing to the exact spec for your destination fix most rejections. The checklist above tells you which specific rule would fail and by how much.
Most authorities require a photo taken within the last 6 months that still looks like you. If your appearance has changed significantly — a new beard, major weight change, or for a child who has grown — you'll usually need a fresh photo even if an older one is technically within the window.
Sorting out the photo is one step — these neighbouring BorderTrip tools cover the rest of the document check:
Shooting the photo at home?
Three things that fix the most common rejection reasons before you press the shutter:
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