Free Passport Photo Checker
Check whether your photo meets US passport photo requirements before submitting it. Free, no account needed. Upload a photo and get an instant compliance report covering size, head position, background, lighting, and expression.
What the Checker Validates
The passport photo checker validates your image against the current US State Department specifications. Here is exactly what gets tested.
Image specifications
- File format: JPG, PNG, or HEIC
- File size: 10 MB maximum
- Minimum pixel dimensions: 1000x1000 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square) for a 2x2 inch output
- Output resolution: 600x600 pixels minimum at 300 DPI
- Color space: sRGB, full color (not grayscale)
Face and framing
- Exactly one face detected in the photo
- Face is forward-facing (yaw and pitch within tolerance)
- Eyes are open (Eye Aspect Ratio check)
- Mouth is closed or neutral expression
- Head height: 50-69% of total photo height
- Eyes positioned between 56% and 69% of photo height from the bottom
- Head centered horizontally within a 10% tolerance
Background and lighting
- Background is plain white or near-white
- No heavy shadows on background or face
- Even lighting across the face
Advisory warnings
The checker also flags items that may cause rejection but are not automatic failures:
- Glasses detected (State Department requires photos without glasses)
- Hat or head covering detected
- Face mask detected
- Heavy smile or exaggerated expression
Why Check Your Photo Before Submitting
A rejected passport photo delays your application by days or weeks. The most common reasons for rejection — wrong background, incorrect head size, glasses in the photo — are easy to fix before you submit if you know about them.
The full list of US passport photo requirements for 2026 includes over a dozen individual rules. Checking them all by eye is tedious and error-prone. The checker automates it.
If your photo does not pass, you have two options: take a new photo following the guidelines, or upload it to GetPassPhoto for auto-formatting. We replace the background, crop to 2x2, and size the head to spec. Read more about getting a digital passport photo online.
Parents taking photos of infants can also use this checker. The baby passport photo page covers the relaxed rules for children under one year old.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the passport photo checker free?
Yes. The compliance check is completely free, with no account or payment required. Upload a photo, get an instant report. If you want us to auto-format the photo to spec afterward, that is a separate paid service.
Does the checker store my photo?
No. The compliance check runs in your browser. Your photo is not uploaded to our servers during the check. If you choose to proceed with formatting, the photo is uploaded and processed, then deleted within 24 hours.
What if my photo fails the check?
The report tells you exactly what failed and how to fix it. Common fixes: remove glasses, use a plain background, move closer to the camera, and use better lighting. You can also upload the photo to GetPassPhoto and we will auto-format the background, sizing, and crop for you.
Can I use the checker for visa photos?
Yes. The US visa photo (DS-160) uses the same specifications as a passport photo — 2x2 inches, 600x600 pixels, white background. The checker validates against these same specs.