Free ERAS Photo Checker
Upload your photo and instantly see if it meets the official ERAS photo requirements - file type, size, dimensions, resolution, and a clear, centered face.
Your photo is used only to run these checks. The file checks happen right in your browser; a small compressed copy is analysed by our AI service and never stored.
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The official ERAS photo rules
Straight from AAMC - this is everything ERAS requires of the photo file.
- File type is JPG or PNG
- No bigger than 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Resolution is 150 dpi or less
- File size is 150 KB or less
- One clear, centered face
AAMC sets only maximums - there is no minimum size or resolution.
How it works
Three steps, a few seconds
1
Upload a photo
Drop in a photo from your phone or computer.
2
We check it
In seconds - the file rules are checked in your browser, and our AI checks the face and photo quality.
3
See your result
What's OK, what's not, and a plain-language tip for anything that needs fixing.
What we check
Two lists, kept clearly separate
The official ERAS rules are pass / fail. Everything else is friendly guidance - never presented as a requirement.
Official ERAS rules
File type is JPG or PNG
No bigger than 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Resolution is 150 dpi or less
File size is 150 KB or less
One clear, centered face
What makes it look professional
Not required by ERASNone of these are ERAS rules - but they're what separates a snapshot from a headshot.
Plain background
A clean, single-color background looks professional and keeps the focus on you.
Good, even lighting
No harsh shadows across your face, and no dark, underexposed photos.
Sharp and in focus
A blurry photo reads as careless - make sure your face is crisp.
Professional attire
AAMC has no dress code - no white coat required - but business attire looks the part.
Head-and-shoulders framing
Not too far away, not too close - head and shoulders filling the frame.
AAMC advises applicants to check individual programs - some prefer more than the ERAS baseline.
Why this one
Why this is the best ERAS photo checker
Straight from the AAMC rules - myths removed
We check against the official ERAS requirements and separate the real rules from the myths (no, ERAS doesn't require a white coat). Most advice online gets this wrong - we keep our rules verified against AAMC.
It checks the look, not just the file
A resizer only fixes your file. We also tell you whether your photo reads as a professional headshot - background, lighting, attire, framing - the things that actually matter.
Every result is explained
You see what passed, what didn't, and how to fix it - in plain English, not error codes.
Private by design
No sign-up, and nothing is stored - your photo is used only to run the checks, then it's gone.
And if it's not right, we fix it in minutes
Built by the team behind 36M+ professional headshots - you're one click from a compliant, professional ERAS photo, made for exactly this.
FAQ
Common questions
What are the official ERAS photo requirements?
ERAS accepts a JPG or PNG photo, no bigger than 2.5 × 3.5 inches, at most 150 dpi, 150 KB or smaller, showing one clear, centered photo of you. Those five rules are the complete official list from AAMC - anything beyond that (background, attire, lighting) is a recommendation, not a requirement.
Is this the official AAMC ERAS photo checker?
No - this is a free tool by InstaHeadshots. It checks your photo against the published AAMC ERAS photo rules, but it isn't affiliated with or endorsed by AAMC. Always defer to AAMC's official guidance.
Is my photo uploaded or stored anywhere?
Your photo is never stored. The file checks (type, size, resolution) run entirely in your browser. For the face and quality checks, a small compressed copy is analysed securely on our servers, used only for that analysis, and discarded right after.
Why did my phone photo fail the file-size check?
Modern phone cameras produce photos of several megabytes - far over the 150 KB ERAS limit. You'll need to export a compressed, correctly sized version, or generate an ERAS-ready headshot that already meets every limit.
Is there a minimum photo size or resolution for ERAS?
No. AAMC states only maximums, so a photo is never rejected for being small or low-resolution. That said, a sharp, well-lit photo makes a much better impression on program directors.
Do I need a white coat or specific attire in my ERAS photo?
No - AAMC has no dress code for the ERAS photo. Professional business attire is the norm, and individual programs may have their own preferences, so it's worth checking the programs you're applying to.
Who built this
Built by the team behind 36 million headshots
This free checker is made by InstaHeadshots - the headshot studio trusted by 421,000+ professionals, with 36M+ headshots created and a 5.0/5 rating across 14,024 Trustpilot reviews. We make headshots for a living, so we built the tool we wished existed for residency applicants - and an ERAS style in the product to match.
Rated 5.0/5 with 14,000+ reviews on