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2"×2" Rules verified Sep 30, 2026 2x2 photo: exact size, made at home
A 2x2 photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), the size used for US passports and many other US forms. The head, from chin to top of hair, is 1 to 1 3/8 inches, on a plain white or off-white background. We make it to the exact size and give you a 4×6 sheet to print at any photo counter.
Phone camera, webcam, or upload a photo you already have
- Cropped to size and checked against every official rule
- Pay only once it passes · Digital $11.99
- Accepted or your money back, for photo reasons. Terms
Top of head Chin 1 – 1 3/8 in US passport photo requirements
The official rules at a glance. We check each of them on your photo.
| Photo size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), printed |
|---|---|
| Head size | 1 to 1 3/8 in (25–35 mm), chin to top of head |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows, texture or objects |
| Colour, on matte or glossy photo paper | |
| Glasses | Not allowed, unless medically needed (signed statement) |
| Expression | Neutral or a natural closed-mouth smile, both eyes open |
| Head covering | Religious or medical only, with a signed statement; one colour, full face visible |
| Taken | In the last 6 months |
Verified against Passport photos - travel.state.gov on Sep 30, 2026.
What PassportOwl does
A photo booth in your pocket, with the official rules built in.
An owl coach while you shoot
Live tips on distance, light and head position, then the photo takes itself when everything lines up.
Every official rule checked
Background, head size, eye line, shadows, glasses and expression, measured against the government’s own numbers.
The exact file, ready to use
Cropped to the official size, plus a 4×6 sheet to print at a store when the document needs prints, or prints mailed to you.
How to take it at home
About two minutes, with your phone or computer.
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Stand in front of a plain wall
White or off-white, with even light from a window in front of you. A white sheet works if your wall is coloured.
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Let the owl coach you
Your phone or webcam checks distance, tilt, light and expression live, then takes the photo when everything is green. Someone else can hold the phone (helper mode).
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We check every rule
We crop it to the official size and check it against each 2×2 rule. If something fails, you see why and retake it, free.
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Pay only when it passes
Download the file right away. You see the result before you pay.
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Print the 4×6 sheet
Order one 4×6 print of the sheet at Walgreens or CVS (turn off crop or fill) and cut along the lines. Or we mail 4 prints.
What gets a photo rejected
Officials check these. Most rejected photos break one of them.
- Colour, sharp, not grainy or pixelated
- Printed on matte or glossy photo paper; no photocopies or scans
- Face the camera, head not tilted
- Both eyes open, mouth closed
- No filters, retouching or AI edits
- No red eye
- Even lighting, no shadows on the face
- No uniforms or camouflage; no headphones
- Infants: on a plain white or off-white sheet, no other person visible; eyes may be closed
Price
You see the result first and pay only when it passes. No subscription.
Digital photo
$11.99
The photo file plus a 4×6 sheet to print at a store
- Retakes free for 60 days
- Accepted or your money back, for photo reasons.
Digital + 4 prints mailed
$16.95
Everything in Digital, and we mail 4 printed photos to you
At a store, for comparison
- Walgreens $16.99
- CVS $17.99
- USPS $15.00
- Walmart $7.64
From each store's website; prices vary by store. Checked Oct 4, 2026.
Made for
Your photo stays private
- No account needed
- Photos deleted 72 hours after upload
- Never used to train AI, never sold
- Payments handled by Stripe; we never see your card number
- An independent service, not affiliated with any government agency
Questions
How big is a 2x2 photo in pixels?
At 300 dpi, 600 × 600 pixels. We give you the photo at exactly that size, plus a 4×6 sheet at the same scale.
Is a 2x2 photo the same as a passport photo?
For a US passport, yes. Other documents use 2 × 2 inches too, but some have their own head size or background rules, so pick your document when you start.
How do I print a 2x2 photo at home?
Print the 4×6 sheet on photo paper at 100% size (no "fit to page"), then cut along the lines. A store print is usually sharper and costs under $1.
Can I just crop a photo myself?
You can, but the head size and position have to be right too. We crop to the official measurements and check the rules for you.
What if the photo is rejected?
If a passport office rejects it for a photo-compliance reason, we refund you in full and make you a new photo free.
How long does it take?
About two minutes to take the photo. The check takes a few seconds, and your file is ready to download as soon as you pay.
Do I pay before I see the photo?
No. You take the photo, we check it, and you see the result first. You pay only once it passes.
Can I retake the photo later?
Yes. Retakes are free for 60 days after you buy, from the link in your receipt.
Can I use my computer instead of my phone?
Yes. Use your webcam, upload a photo you already have, or scan the code to continue on your phone.
What happens to my photo?
It is deleted 72 hours after you upload it, together with every file made from it. It is never used to train AI and never sold.
How can I pay?
With a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, through Stripe. We never see your card number.
Is PassportOwl a government website?
No. PassportOwl is an independent service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any government agency. You submit the photo with your application yourself.
Guides
Other US photos
Ready in about two minutes
See the result for free. Pay only when it passes.
Take your photo