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. US passport photos are 51×51 mm (2×2 inches). UK passport photos are 35×45 mm. EU/Schengen countries typically require 35×45 mm. Australia requires 35×45 mm. Canada requires 50×70 mm.

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, 240–600 px (DS-160) / no minimum px (renewal)
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

Passport photo sizes by country — complete table

Photo requirements differ significantly between countries. Use this table to find your country's specs, then check the country-specific guide for full requirements.

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 →
🇦🇪UAE	40×60 mm	1.57×2.36 in	25–35 mm	Full guide →
🇯🇵Japan	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	34 mm (approx)	Select country →
🇰🇷South Korea	35×45 mm	1.38×1.77 in	25–35 mm	Select country →
🇧🇷Brazil	50×70 mm	1.97×2.76 in	28–36 mm	Select country →
🇲🇽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. US: 51×51 mm. UK: 35×45 mm. Canada: 50×70 mm. Australia: 35×45 mm. Most EU/Schengen countries: 35×45 mm. UAE: 40×60 mm. China: 33×48 mm. Always verify with the specific country's official requirements — 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 format is used. However, digital specs differ: the DS-160 visa application requires a JPEG under 240 KB at 240–600 px square, while the online passport renewal portal accepts files from 54 KB to 10 MB. Same composition rules, different file requirements.

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, which means your digital file needs to be at least 600×600 pixels for a 2×2 inch print at 300 DPI (or 1200×1200 px for 600 DPI). For the DS-160 digital upload: 240–600 px square. For the online renewal portal: no minimum pixel count, but file size must be 54 KB–10 MB.

Correct size for your country — automatically

Get the right-size passport photo — $4.99

Select country and document. We apply the exact dimensions, head size, and file specs. Works for US passport, visa, USCIS, and 60+ countries.

Make my photo ($4.99) →

Free redo if rejected · 60+ countries · Instant download

← Back to Guide