ERAS Photo Requirements: Size, Format and Checklist
The photo in your MyERAS application is small, but programs use it: the AAMC notes it is most often used by programs to help identify applicants when they report for an interview. The technical rules are short, and getting them wrong means a rejected upload at the worst moment.
This page summarizes what the AAMC publishes, shows the pixel math, and gives a checklist to run before you upload. Always confirm against the current AAMC pages linked below, because requirements can change between application cycles.
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What the AAMC publishes
Applicants upload their own photo in the MyERAS portal (Upload New Photo, in the Actions column of the Photos section). AAMC lists the following limits for the photo file (requirements can change between cycles, so check AAMC’s current ERAS photo requirements before you upload):
| Requirement | AAMC value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.5 in. x 3.5 in. |
| Resolution | 150 dpi |
| File size | 150 KB maximum |
| File type | JPG/JPEG or PNG |
| Framing | Face is centered in the photo |
The pixel math
At 150 dpi, 2.5 in. x 3.5 in. works out to 375 x 525 pixels (2.5 x 150 and 3.5 x 150). That is our arithmetic, not an AAMC-published pixel count. A portrait crop at a 5:7 ratio fits this shape. The 150 KB cap is usually the harder limit: a high-resolution export from a camera or generator will be far larger, so you will likely need to resize and compress it in any image editor and then check the final file size.
What the AAMC pages do not specify
The AAMC photo requirements do not specify attire, background color or expression, but check AAMC’s current page. Each residency program also sets its own document requirements, so research the programs you are applying to. For ideas on attire, see our guide on what to wear for a medical headshot.
Pre-upload checklist
- The photo is a recent, accurate likeness of you, since programs use it to identify you on interview day.
- Face is centered, with head and shoulders in a portrait crop.
- File is JPG/JPEG or PNG and is 150 KB or smaller (check the actual file size, not the dimensions).
- Cropped to 2.5 x 3.5 in. proportions at 150 dpi.
- Looks sharp at full size: no heavy filters, no glare on glasses, no distracting background.
- You have saved a larger master copy for your hospital profile, LinkedIn and badge.
Where DoctorHeadshots fits
DoctorHeadshots generates 10+ AI headshots from 8–20 of your phone photos for a one-time $29, and the set includes portrait crops you can export to ERAS specs. We do not guarantee acceptance by any program or by the AAMC, so verify the final file against the requirements above. If you are weighing AI against a studio or a phone photo for this specific use, read our guide on choosing an ERAS photo.
Frequently asked questions
- What size is the ERAS photo?
- The AAMC lists 2.5 in. x 3.5 in. at 150 dpi, with a 150 KB maximum file size and JPG/JPEG or PNG format.
- Do I need to wear a white coat?
- The AAMC photo requirements do not specify an attire rule; check AAMC’s current page. Programs set their own expectations for other documents, so use judgment and keep the photo professional and recognizable.
- Can I reuse my ERAS photo on LinkedIn or Healthgrades?
- You can, but those platforms crop differently. Keep a larger master copy and make a separate small file for ERAS.
Sources
Related guides
This guide is general educational information, not legal, credentialing or employment advice. Rules and requirements are set by the organizations named above and can change; always check the current version with them. Doctor Headshots images are AI-generated, and we do not guarantee acceptance by any third-party platform, employer or credentialing body (see our Terms). Doctor Headshots is not affiliated with AAMC or LinkedIn. Published by AdvancedCare USA Inc.