2×2 inch photo: size, pixels, and printing
The standard US passport/visa photo size, explained in inches, millimeters, and pixels.
Conversion table
| Unit | Width | Height | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inches | 2 | 2 | Print size |
| Millimeters | 51 | 51 | International spec |
| Centimeters | 5.08 | 5.08 | Metric countries |
| Pixels (min) | 600 | 600 | DS-160 / DV upload |
| Pixels (max) | 1200 | 1200 | Visa / DV upload |
| DPI (print) | 300 | 300 | Sharp prints |
Head size rule
The head, from chin to top of hair, must be 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm). That is 50–69% of the image height. Eyes should sit 56–69% up from the bottom.
Aspect ratio
Always 1:1 (square). Never crop a 4:3 photo by stretching; crop or pad to square so the face is not distorted.
How to print two 2×2 photos on a 4×6 sheet
Cheapest and most reliable: print one 4×6 at any pharmacy, then cut.
1. Layout
Place two 2×2 photos on a 4×6 canvas with a small gap and cut lines.
2. Print
Order a 4×6 glossy print at CVS, Walgreens, Costco, or Walmart (~$0.30–$0.50).
3. Cut
Use a paper cutter or scissors along the lines. Keep edges clean and square.
Common mistakes
Wrong crop
Head too small or too large. Aim for 1–1⅜ inches.
Non-square
Submitting a 4:3 photo. Crop to square first.
Low resolution
Under 600 px looks soft when printed. Shoot in good light.
Glasses
Any eyeglasses are rejected for US passport/visa photos.
Skip the measuring
ExactPass crops to a perfect 2×2 and checks head size automatically.