What is the head size requirement for US passport photos?

For US passport photos, the head (from chin to top of hair) must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) in the printed 2×2 inch photo. This means the head must occupy between 50% and 69% of the total image height.

Passport Photo Size — US & All Countries

Q: What size are passport photos in mm?

It depends on the country and document. US passport photos are 51×51 mm (2×2 inches). UK and most EU countries use 35×45 mm. Canada passport photos are 50×70 mm. Brazil passport uses 35×45 mm. UAE Emirates ID is 35×45 mm; UAE visa/residence photos are often 45×55 mm — always match the exact document.

US passport photo size

US passport photos must be exactly square: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). This applies to all US government documents — passport, visa, green card, naturalization, DV lottery, and most USCIS forms.

Spec	Printed photo	Digital (online renewal, DS-160)
Dimensions	2×2 in (51×51 mm)	Square JPEG: 600×600–1200×1200 px (DS-160 & online renewal); DS-160 max 240 KB file size
Head height	1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm)	50–69% of image height
Resolution	300 DPI minimum	N/A (file size governs)
File size	N/A	DS-160: under 240 KB · Online renewal: 54 KB–10 MB
Background	Plain white or off-white, no shadows
Color	Color only
AI editing	Prohibited since January 2026

US passport photo size diagram showing head height and eye placement — Use the diagram to verify the square 2×2 crop before comparing country-specific sizes.

Passport photo sizes by country — quick table

One row per country for the most common passport path. UAE, India, and Saudi Arabia use different sizes for other documents — see the full size-by-document table or photo requirements by country.

Country	Size (mm)	Size (inches)	Head height	Guide
🇺🇸United States	51×51 mm	2×2 in	25–35 mm	Full guide →
🇬🇧United Kingdom	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	29–34 mm	Full guide →
🇨🇦Canada	50×70 mm	1.97×2.76 in	31–36 mm	Full guide →
🇦🇺Australia	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	32–36 mm	Full guide →
🇪🇺EU / Schengen	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	32–36 mm	Select country →
🇮🇳India	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	25–35 mm	Full guide →
🇨🇳China	33×48 mm	1.30×1.89 in	28–33 mm	Full guide →
🇩🇪Germany	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	32–36 mm (EU)	Full guide →
🇨🇭Switzerland	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	32–36 mm	Passport doc →
🇦🇪UAE	35×45 mm (Emirates ID); 45×55 mm (visa / residence)	varies	Per document	Full guide →
🇯🇵Japan	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	34 mm (approx)	Full guide →
🇰🇷South Korea	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	25–35 mm	Select country →
🇧🇷Brazil	35×45 mm (passport / ID)	1.38×1.77 in	~32 mm	Passport doc →
🇲🇽Mexico	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	25–35 mm	Select country →
🇵🇭Philippines	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	25–35 mm	Select country →
🇳🇬Nigeria	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	25–35 mm	Select country →
🇵🇰Pakistan	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	25–35 mm	Select country →

60+ countries supported. View all countries →

Why passport photo size matters for acceptance

Government agencies use automated systems to check photo dimensions and head size before processing. A photo that is the wrong size — even by a millimeter — will be rejected. The most common size-related rejections:

Wrong aspect ratio: US requires a perfect 1:1 square. Using a standard portrait photo (4:3 or 3:2) will fail.
Head too small: The most common issue when people take the photo too far from the camera. The head must occupy 50–69% of the image height.
Head too large: Selfies taken too close often have oversized heads that fail the head-size check.
Wrong DPI: A file that looks correct on screen may print at too low a resolution. US requires minimum 300 DPI for a 2×2 inch print (= 600×600 pixels minimum).

PixID checks head size, image dimensions, and resolution automatically for every document type. You select the country and document — we apply the correct size specifications.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a US passport photo?

US passport photos must be 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) square. The head must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown. For digital submissions (online renewal, DS-160), the head must be 50–69% of the image height. Resolution must be at least 300 DPI for printed photos.

What size are passport photos in mm?

It depends on the country and document. US: 51×51 mm. UK: 35×45 mm. Canada passport: 50×70 mm. Australia: 35×45 mm. Most EU/Schengen: 35×45 mm. Brazil passport: 35×45 mm. UAE: 35×45 mm (Emirates ID) or 45×55 mm (many visa/residence prints). China: 33×48 mm. Always verify with the issuing authority — minor variations exist.

Is a US passport photo the same size as a visa photo?

For most US documents — passport, visa, green card, naturalization, DV lottery — the same 2×2 inch composition applies. Digital specs differ: DS-160 needs a square JPEG under 240 KB, at least 600×600 pixels; online passport renewal accepts 600×1200 px square JPEG between 54 KB and 10 MB. Same face rules, different file caps.

Can I use the same photo for US and UK documents?

No. US photos are 51×51 mm (square) and UK photos are 35×45 mm (portrait). They are different sizes and cannot be used interchangeably. The composition rules (white background, neutral expression, head size) are similar, but the physical dimensions are different.

How do I get the correct photo size?

Select your country and document type on PixID.studio — we apply the correct dimensions automatically. You take or upload a photo, we crop and resize to the exact required dimensions for your specific document.

What's the minimum resolution for a US passport photo?

For printed photos: 300 DPI minimum — use at least 600×600 pixels (1200×1200 is safer). For DS-160: square JPEG, minimum 600×600 pixels, maximum 240 KB file size. For online renewal: square 600×600–1200×1200 pixels, 54 KB–10 MB.

Correct size for your country — automatically

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