Quick Spec
StrictFree browser-based tool. No upload to any server.
Resize for US Passport Photo
Drop your photo here or browse
JPEG, PNG, HEIC — any size
Upload a photo to see the result
The US is one of the few countries that uses a square photo format (2×2 inches) instead of the 35×45mm rectangular ICAO standard used by most of the world. This means a photo taken for a UK, Canadian, or European passport cannot be reused for a US passport — it must be re-cropped or re-shot. The 2026 enforcement rules have also made the US one of the strictest countries for digital submission, with a zero-tolerance policy on AI-edited photos.
What Makes This Specification Unique
Square format (2×2 in) — most countries use 35×45mm rectangular
Online renewal accepts JPEG, PNG, HEIC, HEIF — but visa/DV Lottery only accept JPEG
AI-edited photos face immediate rejection since January 2026 with no grace period
Over 300,000 applications were rejected in 2024 due to non-compliant photos
Selfies are the #1 cause of rejection — use rear camera with someone else taking the photo
Recent Changes
January 2026: Zero-tolerance enforcement of AI editing ban. No grace period for non-compliant photos. New ISO/IEC 39794 biometric encoding standard rolling out through 2030.
Common Rejection Reasons
Head size outside 50-69% range (too close or too far from camera)
Shadows on face or background from poor lighting
Glasses worn (banned since 2016)
AI editing or beauty filter detected
Photo older than 6 months
Wrong file format for submission type
ExactPix Tool Rules for This Spec
When you use the ExactPix tool on this page, it's pre-configured with these rules:
Glasses are NOT allowed (banned since 2016)
AI-edited photos rejected with zero tolerance since January 2026
Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
Do not use beauty filters, skin smoothing, or background replacement
Where to Get This Photo
CVS and Walgreens both charge $16.99 for two prints. Walmart is cheaper at $7.44. USPS offers photos at $15 at some locations. Costco has discontinued passport photo services. For home photos, use a rear camera, stand 4-6 feet from a white wall, and use natural daylight from a window.
Cost Comparison
CVS: $16.99 | Walgreens: $16.99 | Walmart: $7.44 | USPS: $15.00 | ExactPix: Free