United States passport photo size in pixels
For a digital United States passport or visa photo, the size is 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI. The pixel size comes straight from the physical dimensions — divide millimeters by 25.4 and multiply by 300 — so 51 × 51 mm becomes 600 × 600 px. Some portals also accept 200 DPI, but 300 DPI is sharper and universally accepted.
The head should measure 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown — roughly 50–69% of the frame height.
A US passport photo and a US visa photo (including DS-160) both use the same 2 × 2 inch square. That is 51 × 51 mm, or 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI. Off-white is allowed as well as pure white, but the background must be plain — no patterns, shadows, or other people.
Digital uploads are picky about file size. The DS-160 and many consular portals want a JPEG of at least 600 × 600 px and no larger than 240 KB. Crop to size first, then compress if the export is too heavy — both steps can stay in your browser.
Common rejection reasons even when the size is correct: head too large or too small in the frame, glasses glare, a smile showing teeth, or a shadow on the backdrop. Confirm the latest rules on travel.state.gov before you submit.
How to make a compliant United States photo
You don't need a photo studio. Take a well-lit portrait against a plain white or off-white background, then crop it to the exact size:
- Open the ID photo size tool — it runs in your browser, so your photo is never uploaded.
- Enter 600 × 600 px (or pick a preset) and drag to fit your head inside the frame.
- Export a ready-to-upload file. HEIC, JPG, and PNG all work as the input.
File size: Digital submissions like the DS-160 want a square JPEG of at least 600 × 600 px, no larger than 240 KB. If your export is too large, run it through the image compressor to get under the limit without visibly hurting quality.
Before you submit
Dimensions are only part of the requirement. Always confirm the current rules — background color, head height, expression and glasses, and the maximum file size — on the official application before you submit. The size above gets the crop right; the rest is up to your document's guidelines.
Official source: U.S. Department of State