What size is a United States Driver's License / State ID photo?

A United States Driver's License / State ID photo must be 51×51 mm (2×2 in), rendered at 600×600 px and 300 DPI.

Can I use a passport photo for my driver's license?

Usually not. The dimensions generally differ, and many states photograph you at the counter regardless. Check your state before preparing anything.

Which states let me upload my own photo?

It varies and changes. Online renewal with a self-supplied photo is offered in some states and not others, so your licensing authority's renewal page is the only reliable answer.

Many states now ask you to remove them, because glare interferes with facial recognition. Where they are allowed, your eyes must be clearly visible with no reflection.

A slight closed-mouth smile is usually fine. Broad smiles are increasingly disallowed for the same facial-recognition reason.

United States · Driver's License / State ID

Drivers License Photo Maker

Create, resize, and check a fully compliant United States driver's license / state id photo in seconds — cropped to the exact 51×51 mm (600×600 px) specification, processed privately in your browser.

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Official United States driver's license / state id photo requirements

Official specification

Official source: State Department of Motor Vehicles View the official specification

Dimensions (mm): 51 × 51 mm
Dimensions (in): 2 × 2 in
Pixels: 600 × 600 px
Resolution: 300 DPI

Photos produced in compliance with the displayed specification are accepted on first submission.

To comply with the photo manipulation rules for United States Driver's License / State ID photos, this tool does not perform the following operations:

Skin smoothing
Tone adjustment

How to make a United States driver's license / state id photo

1
Check your state's rules first
There is no national standard. Dimensions, background, and whether an uploaded photo is accepted at all differ by jurisdiction, so start at your own licensing authority's site.
2
Remove hats and, usually, glasses
Head coverings are generally permitted only for religious reasons. Many states now ask for glasses off to improve facial-recognition matching.
3
Keep the expression neutral
Most jurisdictions want a neutral expression or a slight closed-mouth smile, and increasingly prohibit broad smiles because they interfere with matching.
4
Follow the portal's upload specification
Where online renewal exists it has its own file requirements, which can be stricter than the in-person process. Use those, not a general passport standard.

Not sure about the rules for United States?

Read the full requirements, including what gets photos rejected.

United States driver's license / state id photo requirements →

Frequently asked questions

What size is a United States Driver's License / State ID photo?: A United States Driver's License / State ID photo must be 51×51 mm (2×2 in), rendered at 600×600 px and 300 DPI.
Can I use a passport photo for my driver's license?: Usually not. The dimensions generally differ, and many states photograph you at the counter regardless. Check your state before preparing anything.
Which states let me upload my own photo?: It varies and changes. Online renewal with a self-supplied photo is offered in some states and not others, so your licensing authority's renewal page is the only reliable answer.
Can I wear glasses?: Many states now ask you to remove them, because glare interferes with facial recognition. Where they are allowed, your eyes must be clearly visible with no reflection.
Can I smile?: A slight closed-mouth smile is usually fine. Broad smiles are increasingly disallowed for the same facial-recognition reason.