Head size in inches, millimetres, and pixels
| Measurement | Inches | Millimetres | Pixels at 300 ppi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo width and height | 2 × 2 | 50.8 × 50.8 | 600 × 600 |
| Chin to crown | 1–1⅜ | 25.4–34.925 | 300–412.5 |
The pixel values are arithmetic equivalents for this specific output size, not a separate government upload requirement. The head occupies approximately 50–68.75% of the photo height. The official guidance may round millimetre values.
Use the free passport photo checker to estimate your crop. This page explains the measurements; it does not measure an image itself.
Print scale still matters. A correctly proportioned digital image can print at the wrong physical size. Follow the 4×6 passport photo printing guide and measure the finished print.
Where to measure: chin to crown.
The key measurement runs from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. A tall hairstyle is not the same as the crown of the head. That distinction makes automatic measurements imperfect.
For a US paper passport photo, aim for a chin-to-crown height between 1 and 1⅜ inches inside the 2-inch square. Compare the crop with the official examples, too.
Leave room to find the crop.
Head looks too large
Start with an image that includes more space around you. If the source already cuts off your head, a crop cannot recover that missing detail.
Head looks too small
A tighter crop can help when the source has enough detail. If the result becomes blurry, retake the photo at higher quality or a better distance. Our phone photography guide explains the setup.
Do not stretch the image. Width and height must scale together. Changing only one distorts the face instead of fixing the framing.
A useful check. Not an approval.
FormFitPhoto estimates facial landmarks and uses them to position the crop. Hair, head coverings, pose, blur, and unusual lighting can affect the estimate. Review the image yourself even when the automated checks pass.
The tool cannot establish when a photo was taken, confirm your identity, or guarantee acceptance. The issuing office makes the final decision.
Does a square image mean it is ready?
No. The framing, image quality, background, and printed dimensions all matter. Review the complete requirements.
Can I check the size on my screen with a ruler?
Screen previews resize with your device. Measure the physical print, or inspect the PDF’s page dimensions and print it at actual size.
A worked head-size example
Imagine a square output that is 600 pixels tall. If the chin-to-crown measurement is 360 pixels, the head occupies 60% of the image. At a 2-inch print size, that becomes 1.2 inches (30.48 mm), within the published head-size range.
The same file can still print incorrectly. If that square is printed at 3 inches instead of 2, the head becomes 1.8 inches tall. Correct proportions do not replace a ruler check.
This is an arithmetic example, not a tested or approved photograph. A number inside the range says nothing about lighting, expression, age of the photo, or acceptance. Review those separately.
By FormFitPhoto · Reviewed October 7, 2026. Requirements reference: US Department of State. For online renewal, follow the digital-photo instructions. This independent guide is not government approval. How we write and check these guides.