Passport Photo Rules: Size, Background and Expression
Passport photo rules for the US, UK, EU and more: size, head height, background, expression, glasses and why AI retouching at home can get a photo rejected.
Published
Jump to the editor ↓Short answer: A US passport photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top. Everything else, including background, expression, glasses and whether editing is allowed, is set by the authority handling your application. Start from a sharp, unedited photo, use AI only to draft the setting, and measure the printed result.
Size and head height are measurable rules. Background, expression and editing limits are policy, and they vary by document.
A passport photo looks simple and is easy to get wrong: the head must sit inside a precise area, the background must be plain, and some authorities reject any digitally altered photo.
The two numbers to get right first
For a US passport photo, the print is square: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). Inside that square, the head, measured chin to the top of the head, must be 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm). That leaves a margin above the head and space below the chin.
- Print at the exact size. A printer that scales the image to fit the paper breaks the measurement, even if the file was correct.
- Do not crop into the head. Crop the background, then resize so the head lands in range.
- Check the pixels before printing. At 300 dpi, a 2 × 2 inch print needs 600 × 600 pixels, a useful floor when you export.
Other countries use different sizes and head-height ranges. Read the official page for your document rather than a list from a blog.
What every authority checks
The wording differs, but the checklist is similar everywhere. Prepare against this table, then confirm each line on the official page.
| Check | What usually matters | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | A fixed size in inches or millimetres | The authority’s photo page |
| Head size and position | Chin-to-crown range, centered, facing forward | The same page, usually with a diagram |
| Background | Plain and uniform, with no pattern | The same page; some allow light grey or cream |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and visible | The written rule for your document |
| Glasses | Often prohibited, or allowed only without glare | The current rule; changes often |
| Digital alteration | Often restricted or prohibited | The warning on the photo page |
If a line here conflicts with something you read elsewhere, trust the authority page. Rules change, and a photo that passed last year can fail this year.
Background, light and shadows
A plain background is not the same as a clean wall with a lamp nearby. The camera sees gradients, shadows and paint texture.
- Use a plain, light wall or a large sheet of paper. Avoid wood, brick, curtains and patterns.
- Light the face evenly from the front. A window at eye level beats an overhead light, which shadows the nose and chin.
- Stand away from the wall. A person close to it casts a shadow; one step forward removes most of it.
- Turn off filters, beauty modes and HDR. These change skin tone and soften the jawline, which is what identity checks look for.
Expression, glasses and head coverings
Most authorities want a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. A slight smile can be rejected. Hair should not cover the eyes or cast a shadow on the face.
Glasses rules change often. Many countries now prohibit them; others allow them only with no glare and no frame shadow. If you normally wear glasses, take the photo without them and check whether the authority requires them for medical reasons.
Head coverings are usually allowed only for religious or medical reasons, with the face visible from chin to forehead. Some authorities ask for documents, so check first.
Why AI retouching gets photos rejected
AI can clean a background and straighten a pose, and it can also make a photo unacceptable. The risk is not only that the edit is visible; it changes the evidence used to confirm identity.
- Alteration bans are common. Some authorities prohibit digital changes to the face, and a few prohibit edited photos altogether.
- Beautifying changes identity. Smoothing skin, narrowing a jaw or widening the eyes creates a different face.
- Removing permanent marks is a red flag. Scars, moles and birthmarks are identifying features.
- Generated backgrounds can look generated. A background that disagrees with the light on the face is an obvious edit.
- Upscaling invents detail. A soft photo upscaled may gain detail that was never there.
The safest edit does not touch the face. If your document forbids digital alteration, use an unedited photo and retake it.
A safer workflow with the passport photo generator
The passport photo generator is useful for drafting the setting: a plain background, a straight-on pose and even light. Treat the result as a draft, not a compliance certificate.
- Take a sharp, front-facing photo in daylight. Use a plain wall, camera at eye level, no smile.
- Upload one photo. EzCreate accepts JPG, PNG, WebP or AVIF up to 10 MB.
- Describe the setting, not the face. Ask for a plain light background and even light, and say to keep facial features unchanged.
- Compare the result with the original. Check the eyes, nose, jaw, hairline and permanent marks.
- Measure the head on the print. The chin-to-crown distance has to fall inside the range for your document.
If the face is already clean and only the backdrop is wrong, the background changer is the simpler edit. For a portrait that is not for a document, the AI headshot generator allows more freedom.
You can upload a photo and open the editor for free; sign in to claim the daily preview credits. Larger runs, downloads and 2K or 4K output use purchased credits. Results are deleted after 7 days, so download the version you print. There is no EzCreate watermark.
Print and final checks
- Use a printer that can print at exact size. Ask for 2 × 2 inches with no scaling, or print at home and measure.
- Measure the print, not the screen. Head height and overall size are physical measurements.
- Check the edges. No border, no white strip, no part of another photo.
- Keep the unedited original. If the photo is questioned, you can show the source.
If the photo is rejected, do not keep editing the same file. Retake it with better light and a plainer background. A clean source is faster than a rescue.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo?
A US passport photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
Many countries now prohibit glasses or require the eyes to be fully visible with no glare or frame shadow. Check the current rule for the document you are applying for.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
Most authorities require a neutral expression with the mouth closed. A slight smile may be rejected, so follow the written rule for your country.
Can I edit my passport photo with AI?
Some authorities prohibit digital alteration. Even when editing is allowed, do not change facial features, remove permanent marks or beautify the face; check the official rules before submitting.
Can I take a passport photo at home?
Yes, if you can produce a sharp, evenly lit photo and print it at the exact required size. A plain wall, daylight from the front and a camera at eye level cover most of the setup; the hard part is measurement.
Sources
Try EzCreate now
Upload a front-facing photo to the passport photo generator, ask for a plain background and even light, then measure the printed result against the official rules before you submit it.