Passport size in inches
2 x 2 inches is the standard U.S. passport photo size.
Use the U.S. passport or 2x2 page when the document explicitly asks for this square format.
Passport Photo Size Guide: 2x2, 35x45, cm, Pixels, and Print Scale
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.
The authority's workflow decides the real size rule
A physical size, a pixel size, and an online submission method are three different requirements. For example, the U.S. paper passport photo is 2 x 2 inches, the UK paper passport photo is 35 x 45 mm, and online systems publish their own file and capture rules. A mathematically correct pixel conversion is not automatically an accepted upload.
Some authorities also require an original unedited image, an approved photographer, or secure provider transfer. In those flows, selecting the right dimensions alone is not enough.
Official size sources
U.S. Department of State and UK government guidance. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.
Quick answers for passport photo size
These are the short answers most users need before choosing a preset. Use them to identify the format, then follow the document-specific page when the authority gives stricter rules.
Passport size in cm
2 x 2 inches is about 5.1 x 5.1 cm.
A common metric alternative is 3.5 x 4.5 cm, also written as 35 x 45 mm.
Passport size in pixels
Pixels depend on the required DPI or upload system.
At 300 DPI, 2 x 2 inches is about 600 x 600 px and 35 x 45 mm is about 413 x 531 px.
2x2 vs 35x45
2x2 is square; 35x45 is portrait.
They are not interchangeable. Choose the size requested by the exact document or country.
If you already know the size, move straight to the preset
Choose the right preset in PhotoID, take the photo in the app, then review common quality issues before export.
- Use 2x2 when the document asks for the square U.S.-style format.
- Use 35x45 when the document asks for the portrait metric format.
- Use the exact document preset when size is only one part of the requirement.
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 inch photo | 50.8 mm | 50.8 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 |
Print size vs digital upload size
A passport photo can fail even when the visible crop looks right. The output has to match the workflow: paper printing, online upload, or app export.
| Workflow | What matters most | Avoid this mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Printing a physical photo | Physical size and printer scale | Fit-to-page, automatic resizing, and stretching a wrong aspect ratio |
| Uploading to an online form | Pixel dimensions, file size, background, and crop rules | Assuming a print-size image automatically satisfies the upload system |
| Using a passport photo app | The selected preset and final export type | Choosing a generic crop without matching the document requirement |
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 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. Keep the physical size and online file requirements separate when you prepare an image for a form.
- 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
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.
Prepare the photo
Crop and align the image to the target format before export.
Run AI checks
Review background, face position, lighting, and image quality before continuing.
Export for digital or print
Use the final result only when the destination accepts a prepared file or print-ready sheet.
Related exact-size and requirement pages
Choose your document below for its dimensions, framing guidance, and export checks.
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
I-485 print vs DV upload
Separates Form I-485 printed photos from the Diversity Visa entry upload workflow.
How to take a passport photo at home
DIY capture guide
Use this when you need phone setup, lighting, background, and framing guidance before export.
What to wear for a passport photo
Clothing guide
Open this when your main question is shirt color, outfit contrast, or what not to wear.
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 correct passport photo size in the app
Choose the right preset, run AI checks, and prepare an output only when the destination accepts a processed digital file or printed photo.
Available on iOS and Android