Size in inches
The best-known passport photo size is 2 x 2 inches. This is the exact U.S. passport format and one of the most common reasons users search for a general passport size guide.
Size guide
Passport Photo Size: Dimensions in Inches, cm, Pixels, and Examples
The most common passport-style photo formats are 2 x 2 inches in the United States and 35 x 45 mm for many passports, visas, and ID cards outside the U.S. The exact requirement still depends on the document and destination, so use this page to compare sizes before printing or submitting a photo online.
U.S. passport: 2 x 2 inCommon EU format: 35 x 45 mmDigital size variesPrint at 100% scale
U.S. standard
2 x 2 in
Square exact-size format used by U.S. passport and closely related document flows.
Common international format
35 x 45 mm
Frequent size for passports, visas, and ID cards in Europe and many other jurisdictions.
Digital note
Pixels vary
Pixel requirements depend on the destination system. Print-size pixels are not the same as an online filing system's upload rules.
Passport photo dimensions table
Use this table to compare the formats users most often confuse. Treat it as a quick orientation layer, then open the exact requirement page when your document has country-specific rules.
| Format | Width | Height | Unit | Common use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. passport photo | 2 in | 2 in | inch | U.S. passport and closely related U.S. document flows |
| 2x2 exact-size photo | 51 mm | 51 mm | mm | Exact-size square format |
| 35x45 photo | 35 mm | 45 mm | mm | Common ID, visa, and passport format outside the U.S. |
| Digital upload | varies | varies | pixels | Depends on the online filing system and destination |
Size in cm and mm
Many countries use metric formats. The most common example is 35 x 45 mm, which is the same as 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
Size in pixels
A print-size image at 300 DPI can translate to roughly 600 x 600 px for a 2x2 photo or about 413 x 531 px for 35x45 mm. Online submission systems may ask for something different.
2x2 vs 35x45 photo size
These two sizes are not interchangeable. A 2x2 photo is square and strongly tied to U.S. document flows, while 35x45 is a portrait-oriented metric format common in many passport, visa, and identity systems outside the U.S.
2x2
2 x 2 inches, square, commonly used for U.S. passport and related flows.
35x45
35 x 45 mm, portrait layout, common in many European and international document systems.
Digital vs print passport photo size
Print workflows care about exact physical dimensions. Digital workflows often care more about file size, pixel dimensions, background, and upload compatibility. A good size page should explain both, because many users confuse printable size with online submission requirements.
- Print: keep the correct physical size and print at 100% scale.
- Digital: match the destination system's pixel and file rules when they exist.
- Do not assume: a correct print size automatically satisfies every digital upload system.
Common passport photo size mistakes
- Printing with fit-to-page or automatic scaling enabled
- Using the wrong aspect ratio and then stretching the image
- Confusing a generic editor template with a real document requirement
- Assuming 2x2 and 35x45 are interchangeable
- Treating print pixels as official digital-upload dimensions
- Using the right size but the wrong background, framing, or image quality
How PhotoID helps
Move from the wrong-size question to the right final format
Choose the correct preset, check common issues, and prepare a result for digital submission or print-ready output.
Choose the exact format
Start with the right preset so the app applies the correct size and framing logic.
1
Prepare the photo
Crop and align the image to the target format before export.
2
Run AI checks
Review background, face position, lighting, and image quality before continuing.
3
Export for digital or print
Use the final result for online submission or a print-ready sheet, depending on the workflow.
4
Related exact-size and requirement pages
Use these pages when you already know the target format or document. The general size guide should orient you; the exact-size or document page should finish the job.
2x2 inch photo
51 x 51 mm
Use when a document explicitly asks for the 2x2 inch format.
35x45 mm photo
3.5 x 4.5 cm
Common format for many European passports, visas, and ID cards.
U.S. passport photo requirements
2 x 2 inches
Document-specific rules, head size, background, and rejection risks.
U.S. visa photo requirements
2 x 2 inches
Use for visa-specific requirements rather than broad size intent.
Green card photo requirements
2 x 2 inches
Combines exact size with digital-submission context.
FAQ
What size is a passport photo?
In the United States, passport photos use the 2 x 2 inch format. Many ID and visa flows in Europe and other countries use 35 x 45 mm instead, so the exact document and country still matter.
What are the dimensions of a passport photo in inches?
The best-known passport size is 2 x 2 inches. Other document systems often use metric sizes such as 35 x 45 mm, which is about 1.38 x 1.77 inches.
What is passport photo size in cm?
A 2 x 2 inch photo is about 5.1 x 5.1 cm. A common metric passport or ID format is 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
What is passport photo size in pixels?
There is no single universal pixel size for every passport photo. Pixel dimensions depend on the destination and whether you are preparing a print-size image or a digital upload for an online form.
Is passport photo size always 2x2?
No. The 2 x 2 inch standard is strongly associated with U.S. passport and related U.S. document flows. Many other countries and documents use 35 x 45 mm or other exact sizes.
What is the difference between 2x2 and 35x45?
2x2 is a square size measured in inches, while 35x45 is a portrait format measured in millimeters. They are used by different documents and cannot be treated as interchangeable.
How do I print a passport photo at the correct size?
Export a print-ready layout, print at 100% scale, and disable any fit-to-page or automatic resizing settings. Even a small printer scaling change can make a photo non-compliant.
Can I create the right passport photo size in the app?
Yes. PhotoID helps apply the correct preset, checks common issues like framing and background, and prepares a result for digital submission or print-ready output depending on the workflow.
Create the right format
Create the correct passport photo size in the app
Choose the right preset, run AI checks, and prepare a result for online submission or print-ready output.
Available on iOS and Android