US Passport Online Renewal Photo: 54 KB to 10 MB, No Edits or AI

Official rules: no fixed size, 54 KB to 10 MB, background: plain white or off-white. Source: travel.state.gov, checked 28 Sep 2026.

US Passport Renewal photo size at a glance

The US Passport Renewal photo has no fixed size in the official rules; it is uploaded as a JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF file from 54 KB to 10 MB, on a plain white or off-white background.

Printed sizeNo print size given
Pixels (official rule)Not stated (you can crop the photo inside the application)
File size54 KB to 10 MB
BackgroundPlain white or off-white
Head size50% to 69% of the photo height, chin to top of head
Sourcetravel.state.gov
Checked28 Sep 2026
Diagram of the US Passport Renewal photo: the official rules give no fixed size; the dashed outline is the shape of the 1200 × 1200 pixel photo SafeResize makes, not an official size
The US Passport Renewal photo: the official rules (travel.state.gov, checked 28 Sep 2026) give no fixed size, so the dashed outline shows the shape of the 1200 × 1200 pixel photo SafeResize makes, our own choice and not an official size. The head size, 50% to 69% of the photo height, is from the official rules.

How to make your US Passport Renewal photo

  1. Stand about an arm's length from the camera in front of a plain wall (plain white or off-white). Face a window for soft, even light.
  2. Add the photo on this page. It stays on your device.
  3. Drag and zoom until your face fills the green oval: top of the head on the top line, chin on the bottom line.
  4. Download the photo. The pixels, file size and format are checked before you save it.
  5. Upload it to the official application.

Questions and answers

What size is the US Passport Renewal photo?

The official rules do not fix a pixel size. SafeResize makes a sharp 1200 × 1200 pixel file that fits every other rule.

What is the US Passport Renewal photo size in cm, inches or pixels?

The official rules give no size in cm or inches, and on pixels they say: not stated (you can crop the photo inside the application). SafeResize makes a 1200 × 1200 pixel photo, a square, our own choice that fits the other rules.

What file size does the US Passport Renewal photo need to be?

Between 54 KB and 10 MB. SafeResize checks the size before you download, and keeps it inside the limit whether the website counts 1 KB as 1,000 or 1,024 bytes.

What background colour does the US Passport Renewal photo need?

Plain white or off-white. Stand in front of a plain wall with no pattern, and face a window so there are no shadows behind you. The official rules do not allow edited photos, so SafeResize does not change the background for this document: a plain wall is the way.

How big should my head be in the US Passport Renewal photo?

From the chin to the top of the head, your head should fill 50% to 69% of the photo height. The face guide in the tool shows both lines.

Can I wear glasses in my US Passport Renewal photo?

The official rules say: No glasses.

What else do the US Passport Renewal photo rules say?

Colour photo from the last 6 months. No glasses. Neutral face or a natural smile, no teeth showing. Photo ends at your shoulders. Head 1 to 1 3/8 inch on a 2 inch photo. No filters, retouching, or AI-made or AI-edited photos. No scans or photos of printed photos. File 54 KB to 10 MB.

Which file format should I use?

JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF. SafeResize saves a JPG (JPEG) file.

Can I take this photo at home?

Yes. A photo taken at home is fine if it follows the rules above. It is easier if someone else takes it for you.

Is my photo uploaded to SafeResize?

No. The photo is processed inside your browser and never leaves your phone or computer.

Source: travel.state.gov, checked 28 Sep 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.

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