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Verified August 26, 2026 - Private browser tool
Create a 2x2 inch US passport photo and 4x6 print sheet.
Direct answer: US passport photos use a 2x2 inch square format, equal to 51x51mm. The head should measure about 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head. This tool opens on the US passport preset and exports a single image or a 6-photo 4x6 print sheet.
Take a forward-facing photo against a plain white/light background. 100% private — processed locally on your device.
Over 80% of passport photo rejections are caused by lighting shadows, glasses, or white clothing blending with the background. Verify these 4 key criteria before submitting:
Zero Glasses / Tinted Lenses
US State Dept, IRCC Canada, and Schengen strictly ban prescription glasses and sunglasses to ensure biometric pupil recognition.
Dark / High-Contrast Clothing
Wearing a white shirt against a white backdrop causes shoulder blend rejection. Dark solid tops are strongly recommended.
Shadow-Free Face & Backdrop
No harsh shadows under the chin, ears, or on the white wall. Diffused daylight or dual light sources are best.
Neutral Face, Closed Mouth
No teeth showing, no squinting or exaggerated smiles. Eyes looking directly into the camera lens.
Zero AI Cutouts or Synthetic Backgrounds
US State Dept biometric ingestion detects automated background erasure and pixel halos around hair. Take your photo against a real plain wall.
Taken Within Last 6 Months (Never Reuse Prior Year Photos)
State Dept facial matching algorithms automatically cross-reference previous DV lottery entries. Reusing last year’s photo triggers instant disqualification.
Free calculators, document processors, and converters with zero tracking cookies.
Square printed passport photo format.
Measure from chin to top of head, not hair height.
Print at actual size, no fit-to-page scaling.
Quality check: Use a recent, sharp, front-facing photo with even lighting, eyes open, neutral expression, and no harsh shadows.
Background check: Use the background color listed by the destination agency. White or off-white is common, but not universal.
Acceptance limit: This tool crops, resizes, and exports images. It cannot guarantee government or portal acceptance, and it cannot verify identity, biometric acceptability, image recency, photographer-stamp rules, or final portal acceptance.
Printing: Print 4x6 sheets at 100% actual size with no border and no fit-to-page scaling, then measure the final photo before cutting.
Cross-jurisdiction comparison based on official government specifications. All formats can be framed and exported in the browser tool above.
| Country / Standard | Physical Dimensions | Head Height Range | Background Color | Digital Upload Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Passport & DS-160 | 2" x 2" (51 x 51 mm) | 25-35 mm (50%-69%) | Plain white or off-white | 600x600 px, 240 KB max |
| US DV Lottery (Green Card) | 2" x 2" (51 x 51 mm) | 25-35 mm (50%-69%) | Plain white or off-white | 600x600 to 1200x1200 px, 240 KB max |
| Canada Passport & PR Card | 50 x 70 mm (2" x 2.75") | 31-36 mm (chin to crown) | Plain white or light-coloured | 715x1000 to 2000x2800 px, 4 MB max |
| UK Passport | 35 x 45 mm | 29-34 mm | Plain light grey or cream | HMPO digital photo code or print |
| Schengen Visa | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm (70%-80%) | Light grey or light blue | Consulate-specific portal check |
| Australia ETA & Passport | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm (71%-80%) | Plain white or light grey | Australian Home Affairs photo check |
| China Visa & Passport | 33 x 48 mm | 28-33 mm (58%-69%) | Pure white (no shadows) | CVASC consular upload check |
| India Passport & OCI | 35 x 45 mm / 51 x 51 mm (OCI) | 25-35 mm | Plain white | 200x200 to 500x500 px, 200 KB max |
| Japan Visa | 45 x 45 mm | 27-31 mm (60%-69%) | Plain white | MOFA Japan consular upload check |
| New Zealand Visa & NZeTA | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm (70%-80%) | Plain light-coloured | 900x1200 px, INZ upload check |
Looking to integrate international photo aspect ratios, chin-to-crown tolerances, or 4×6 print grid algorithms in your app? View the open-source TypeScript specifications on GitHub.
Direct answer
US passport photos use a 2x2 inch square format, equal to 51x51mm. The head should measure about 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head. This tool opens on the US passport preset and exports a single image or a 6-photo 4x6 print sheet.