ERAS Photo Requirements (AAMC) — Complete Guide & Free Checker

GUIDE

ERAS Photo Requirements (AAMC)

Example ERAS headshot — woman in dark blazer on light-blue background, shoulders-up.
Example ERAS headshot — man in navy suit and tie with glasses on gray background.
Example ERAS headshot — woman in navy blazer on pale-blue background, neutral lighting.

Everything you need for a residency-ready headshot, plus a free online checker to validate your image in seconds.

Check my photoGet 40+ headshots for $19

Quick Specs

Pixels

375 × 525 px

Aspect Ratio

5 : 7 (portrait)

File Size

≤ 150 KB

Format

JPG or PNG

Physical size (at 150 DPI)

2.5 × 3.5 in

Background

Plain, neutral (light gray/off-white/pale blue)

Framing

Head & shoulders centered, eyes toward camera

Editing

No heavy filters; natural skin tones & lighting

Note: MyERAS validates pixel dimensions and file size. “150 DPI” corresponds to 375×525 px at 2.5×3.5 inches and is primarily advisory for viewing/printing.

Contents

One-minute ERAS checklist

✓

Image is exactly 375×525 px (portrait).

✓

File size is ≤ 150 KB.

✓

Saved as JPG (preferred) or PNG.

✓

Plain, neutral background (light gray, off-white, pale blue).

✓

Head & shoulders centered; eyes looking at camera; natural expression.

✓

Even lighting; no harsh shadows; no heavy filters/beautification.

✓

Professional attire; glasses OK without glare; face fully visible.

Validate with the free Checker

Detailed requirements & tips

Pixels & DPI

Upload a file that is 375×525 px. This equals 2.5×3.5 inches at 150 DPI. DPI is advisory; MyERAS uses pixels and file size to validate uploads.

File size & format

Keep the image at ≤150 KB. Use JPG (recommended) or PNG. If your file is too large, lower JPEG quality slightly or export from the original at 375×525 px.

Background

Use a plain, neutral background: light gray, off-white, or pale blue. Avoid patterns, gradients, or strong contrast that distracts from the face.

Framing & pose

Show head and shoulders, centered. Keep a little space above the head. Look at the camera with a natural, professional expression.

Lighting & realism

Ensure even, soft light across the face. Avoid heavy filters or over-smoothing. Glasses are fine if there’s no glare and eyes remain visible.

Don’t want to reshoot or edit? Get 40+ ERAS-compliant headshots in minutes for $19.

Create my headshots

Common pitfalls (and quick fixes)

  • Wrong size (not 375×525 px): Export/crop precisely or use the Checker to verify and adjust.
  • File too large (>150 KB): Re-export as JPG with slightly lower quality or from the original at 375×525 px.
  • Busy background: Replace with a plain, neutral color (light gray / off-white / pale blue).
  • Harsh shadows/glare: Move closer to soft, even light; tilt glasses to remove glare.
  • Over-filtered: Keep skin texture natural; avoid beauty filters that remove detail.

FAQ

What are the exact ERAS headshot dimensions and file size?
375×525 pixels (2.5×3.5 inches at 150 DPI) and under 150 KB, saved as JPG or PNG with a plain, neutral background.
Does ERAS actually check DPI?
MyERAS primarily validates pixel dimensions and file size. 150 DPI corresponds to 2.5×3.5 inches at 375×525 pixels; DPI itself is advisory.
What background color is best?
Light gray, off-white, or pale blue. These keep focus on the face and photograph well.
How can I quickly check if my photo meets ERAS specs?
Use the free ERAS Photo Checker to verify pixels and file size right in your browser.

Ready in minutes, ERAS-perfect every time.

Get 40+ studio-quality headshots formatted to ERAS specs for just $19.

Create my headshotsCheck my current photo