2x2 Photo Resizer
A 2x2 photo is 2 inches wide by 2 inches tall — 51 by 51 millimetres — and it is the size the US State Department requires for passports and most US visa applications. Digitally that means a square image of at least 600 by 600 pixels, which is 2 inches at 300 DPI.
You can produce one here without uploading anything: the crop and resize tools run entirely in your browser, so the photo never leaves your device.
The exact specification
- Print size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), square.
- Digital size: minimum 600 x 600 pixels, maximum 1200 x 1200 pixels.
- 600 x 600 px is exactly 2 inches at 300 DPI, the usual target.
- Format: JPEG, in colour.
- File size: 240 KB or less for online submission.
- Background: plain white or off-white, evenly lit, no shadows.
- Taken within the last six months.
Where the head has to sit
Getting the square right is the easy part; most rejections are about head position inside it.
- Head height, chin to the top of the head: 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm).
- Eye height from the bottom of the photo: 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 to 35 mm).
- Face the camera squarely, both eyes open, neutral expression or a natural smile.
- No glasses — they have not been permitted in US passport photos since November 2016.
- No hats or head coverings, unless worn daily for religious reasons and accompanied by a signed statement.
- Everyday clothing; uniforms and camouflage are not accepted.
How to make one from a photo you already have
- Start from the highest-resolution original you have. Enlarging a small image will not add detail and usually fails the sharpness check.
- Crop to a 1:1 square first, positioning the head so it fills roughly 50 to 69 per cent of the frame height.
- Resize the square to 600 x 600 pixels.
- Compress to JPEG under 240 KB if you are submitting online. Check the face is still sharp afterwards.
Other things called 2x2
The 2x2 inch square is also used by the Philippines for ID and school documents, and is common for job applications across South East Asia. The pixel target is the same; the head-size rules differ by issuer, so check the specific requirement before printing.
A 2x2 photo is not the same as the 35 x 45 mm size used by the UK, the EU and much of the Commonwealth. Those are portrait rectangles, not squares, and a 2x2 crop will be rejected.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a 2x2 photo in pixels?
A 2x2 inch photo is 600 by 600 pixels at 300 DPI. The US State Department accepts anything from 600 x 600 up to 1200 x 1200 pixels, as long as it is square.
How do I resize a picture to 2x2 inches?
Crop it to a 1:1 square with the head filling roughly half to two thirds of the frame height, then resize the square to 600 x 600 pixels and save as JPEG under 240 KB.
Is a 2x2 photo the same as a passport photo?
It is the US passport size. The UK, EU and most Commonwealth countries use 35 x 45 mm, which is a portrait rectangle rather than a square, so a 2x2 crop will not be accepted there.
How big should the head be in a 2x2 photo?
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, with the eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches (28 to 35 mm) up from the bottom edge.
Can I wear glasses in a US passport photo?
No. Glasses have not been permitted in US passport photos since November 2016, other than in rare documented medical cases.
What file size does a 2x2 passport photo need to be?
240 KB or less for online submission, in JPEG format. Compress after resizing, and check the face is still sharp.