Create a 2x2 Photo

A US passport photo, Green Card photo, US visa photo, or Indian passport photo all have one thing in common—they require a 2x2-inch biometric photo that follows all necessary guidelines laid out by their respective governmental authorities.

It doesn’t matter whether you need a digital image for an online passport renewal or physical prints for traditional paper applications—certain universal guidelines must be followed.

Study the table below to learn about 2x2 photo requirements for US passports, visas, and Green Cards.
 

The above chart is a quick summary of the US State Department’s official requirements for passport photos.

Need some real-life digital photo examples? Have a look at our carousel showing where these applicants went right—and where they went wrong with their passport pictures.

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

2x2 photo size requirements

One of the most important aspects of 2x2 photos is the sizing. Foreign nationals applying for their first US document may be slightly confused given the imperial units, so to clarify, 2-by-2-inch passport photo size has the following metric equivalents:

• 51x51 millimeter photograph (i.e. the photo’s height is 51 mm and width is 51 mm)
• 5.1x5.1 centimeter photo (i.e. the picture is 5.1 cm in height and 5.1 cm in width)

Additionally, the applicant’s head size must adhere to very specific sizing requirements for US documents. All US visa, Green Card, and US passport photos must feature the subject’s full face while measuring between 1–1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.

2x2 photo—digital specifications

Digital image dimensions are expected to be in a square aspect ratio, i.e. the height and width are equal (2x2 inches)—but what about the image’s size in pixels?

The amount of pixels (px) present in the photo depends on the resolution of the printout and can differ considerably depending on the desired quality or “sharpness” of the photo (commonly expressed in “dots per inch” or DPI for short).

2x2 photos for US documents require a minimum resolution of 300 DPI and, therefore, must have a minimum pixel resolution of 600x600 pixels.

The maximum resolution, on the other hand, is set at 600 DPI or 1200x1200 pixels.

Finally, it is important to remember that only files saved in .JPEG format that are at least 54 kilobytes (KB) in size are eligible for online submission.

📝 Note: In light of the temporary closure of online US passport renewals, the US State Department is only accepting printed passport photos. However, be sure to regularly check their official website in case the service becomes available in the near future.

Where can I print a 2x2 photo?

Looking to get a 2x2 photo printed for one of many official documents, such as a US passport application?

Here are your best options for securing your own photo in person:

Local stores

The fastest way to find a business to print your photos is by typing “photo printing services near me” into your preferred search engine. Searching the above query will provide you with a map of local stores capable of printing photos—including your 2x2 snaps.

Additionally, it’s a pretty safe bet to look for brand-name retailers in your area, such as Walmart or CVS, since they have their own printing centers.

For additional information, have a look at these pages:

• Passport photos at Walmart
• Passport photos at CVS

If you’re looking for places specifically focused on passport-sized photos, a quick Google search for “2x2 photo prints near me” makes a good starting point.

2x2 photo prints online

It’s also possible to get physical prints without leaving home with the help of popular photo apps such as Passport Photo Online.