US Passport & Visa Photo Specs
US passport, visa (DS-160) and DV lottery photo specs — 2×2 in, 600–1200 px, head 25–35 mm, ≤240 KB — each cited to the State Department.
The United States uses a square photo — one of the few major countries that doesn’t follow the ICAO 35×45 mm portrait. Three application channels share the same underlying rules with different pixel windows.
The specs side by side
| Field | Passport (print & online) | Visa — DS-160/CEAC | DV lottery entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print size | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | 2×2 in paper backup | digital only — no print |
| Digital pixels | 600–1200 px square | 600–1200 px square | exactly 600×600 px |
| Head size (crown→chin) | 25–35 mm (50–69%) | 25–35 mm (50–69%) | 50–69% of frame |
| File limit | ≤240 KB JPEG | ≤240 KB JPEG | ≤240 KB JPEG |
| Background | plain white / off-white | plain white / off-white | plain white / off-white |
| Photo age | ≤6 months | ≤6 months | ≤6 months |
| Glasses | not allowed | not allowed | not allowed |
| Expression | neutral, mouth closed | neutral, mouth closed | neutral, mouth closed |
Where each spec is enforced. The 2×2 in paper photo is checked at acceptance facilities and consulates. The 600–1200 px / ≤240 KB window is enforced by software at upload — the DS-160 visa form, the online passport renewal portal and the DV entry form all reject non-conforming files before a human ever sees them. The DV photo is the strictest: exactly 600×600 px, no scan of a paper photo, taken within six months of the entry.
The numbers people get wrong
Head size is a band, not a target. The State Department wants the crown-to-chin measurement between 25 mm and 35 mm — about 50–69% of the 51 mm frame. Passport booths and pharmacies aim for the middle (~30 mm); both ends of the band pass.
Glasses are simply banned. Not “discouraged” — since November 2016 a US passport or visa photo with glasses is rejected outright unless a medical statement accompanies the application.
The digital ceiling is real. “At least 600×600” is only half the DS-160 rule — the upload also fails above 1200 px or 240 KB. Downscale, don’t upload the raw phone file.
Uniforms and head coverings. Everyday clothing only; no uniform except religious attire worn daily. Head coverings need a signed statement and must not shadow the face.
Sources
Related: how to read a spec sheet · why photos get rejected · compare the ICAO-style Schengen visa spec.
Frequently asked questions
Is the US passport photo 2×2 inches or 51×51 mm?
Both — it's the same square. The State Department publishes 2×2 inches; 51×51 mm is the metric conversion (2 in = 50.8 mm, quoted as 51 mm). What matters is the 1:1 ratio, the 25–35 mm head height and the plain white or off-white background.
Why did the DS-160 portal reject my 12-megapixel photo?
Because the window has a maximum as well as a minimum: 600–1200 px per side and ≤240 KB JPEG. A phone photo at 4000 px and 4 MB fails both ends. Downscale to somewhere in the middle of the window — 900×900 px around 150 KB is a safe target.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport or visa photo?
No — glasses have been banned in US passport and visa photos since 1 November 2016, including reading glasses. Medical exceptions exist only with a signed doctor's statement submitted with the application.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last six months, and it must reflect your current appearance — new facial hair you keep, significant weight change or surgery means a new photo regardless of the calendar.