ERAS Photo Requirements, Explained
Everything MyERAS expects from your residency application photo: the exact size, format, and file limits, what to wear, and how to fix a photo that does not fit the spec.
The Requirements at a Glance
| Print size | 2.5 x 3.5 inches (portrait orientation) |
| Resolution | 150 DPI minimum |
| Pixel dimensions | About 375 x 525 pixels |
| File size | 150 KB maximum |
| File format | JPG |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Framing | Head and shoulders, facing the camera |
Per AAMC guidance. Always verify against the official MyERAS instructions for your application cycle.
The exact technical spec
The AAMC asks for a 2.5 x 3.5 inch portrait photo at a minimum of 150 DPI, which works out to roughly 375 x 525 pixels, saved as a JPG under 150 KB. MyERAS enforces the file limits at upload: photos over 150 KB or in the wrong format are rejected on the spot, which is the most common reason an otherwise perfect photo fails.
What the photo should look like
A professional headshot in business attire: head and shoulders, centered, facing the camera directly, with a plain light background. Think of where it appears: program directors see it next to your name in interview season, and coordinators use it to recognize applicants on interview day. It should look like you on your best professional day, taken within the last 6 months.
What to wear
Business professional is the norm: a suit jacket or blazer in navy, charcoal, or black over a collared shirt or blouse. Solid colors photograph better than patterns. Avoid anything that reads casual (t-shirts, hoodies) or distracting (bold prints, large jewelry). The goal is that nothing in the photo competes with your face.
Common rejection reasons
The file is over 150 KB (phone photos and photographer exports are usually several megabytes). The dimensions are wrong or landscape instead of portrait. The photo is a selfie-style crop with visible arms or busy background. Or it is simply outdated. The technical failures are fixable in minutes with a resizer; the composition failures need a new photo.
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Our free resizer crops and compresses any photo to the exact AAMC spec in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, and it takes about 30 seconds.
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Generated with Debut from casual selfies. Every example meets the framing and attire expectations above.