Passport Photo Size Checker
US passport photo size and head check.
What it does
Passport photos fail on inches, not smiles. The US wants 2 by 2 inches with head height between 1 and 1.375 inches, against a plain light background and taken recently. Small misses delay applications by weeks.
The tool above grades size and head separately. Defaults of 2 by 2 with a 1.2 head pass both and overall. The metric mirror at 51 by 51 millimeters with a 30 millimeter head passes the same. A 1.8 inch wide photo or a 0.8 inch head fails its line even when the other passes.
Tolerance is tight on purpose. Size allows five hundredths of an inch (about a millimeter) while head spans a quarter inch band. Other countries differ, with the UK using 35 by 45 millimeters, so check the destination standard before printing.
This page checks US dimensions only. It does not grade background, shadows, glasses, recency, or digital pixels and file size. Read the official photo guide before submitting.
How to use
- Pick imperial (in) or metric (mm).
- Enter the photo width and height.
- Enter the head height chin to crown.
- Read size verdict first, then head.
- Read overall for the reto take call.
- Check background and recency in the guide.
Formula
- w, h
- Photo width and height in inches.
- head
- Head height chin to crown in inches.
- metric
- 51 mm square with 25-35 mm head.
US 2x2 inch standard with metric mirror. At exactly 0.05 over, tolerance still passes; beyond fails. Background, recency, and digital file rules sit outside this size math.
Worked example
Example: 2x2 in with 1.2 in head
Defaults: imperial 2 by 2 in with 1.2 in head. Metric mirror is 51 by 51 mm with 30 mm head.
- Inputs (imperial default): 2 by 2 in photo with 1.2 in head.
- Size: within 0.05 of 2x2, so 2x2 in size Pass.
- Head: 1.2 inside 1 to 1.375, so Head Pass.
- Overall: both pass gives Overall Pass.
- Metric mirror (51x51 mm, 30 mm head) passes the same. Tool shows the same.
Reference table
| Photo | Head | Call |
|---|---|---|
| 2x2 in, 1.2 in head | 2x2 in size Pass | Overall Pass |
| 51x51 mm, 30 mm head | 51x51 mm size Pass | Overall Pass |
| 51x51 mm, 20 mm head | Head Fail | Overall Fail |
| 2x2 in, 1.5 in head | Head Fail | Overall Fail |
| 35x45 mm UK style | US size Fail | Overall Fail |
Limits
- US 2x2 only. Other countries differ.
- Size math only. Background and pixels excluded.
- Tolerance fixed. Borderline prints risk refusal.
- No baby exceptions modeled.
Common mistakes
- Printing 4x6 proof sheets as final size.
- Measuring hair instead of chin to crown.
- Cropping heads outside the band.
- Using old photos past recency.
- Ignoring pixel and file rules online.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
51x51 mm with 20 mm head?
51x51 within 1 mm gives size Pass. Head 20 mm misses 25-35, so Fail. Overall Fail.
2x2 in with 1.5 in head?
2x2 within 0.05 gives size Pass. Head 1.5 tops 1.375, so Fail. Overall Fail.
Questions
What are the US sizes?
US asks 2x2 in (51x51 mm) with head 1 to 1.375 in (25-35 mm). Here both Pass.
How close must size be?
Within 0.05 in (1 mm) of 51x51. Outside fails.
What else matters besides size?
Plain light background, facing forward, plain expression, eyes open, no shadows or glasses glare.
Do babies use the same size?
No. Babies get relaxed pose rules but size still applies. Check the official guide.
Does the UK use 2x2?
Yes. UK and others differ (35x45 mm). This tool grades the US 2x2 standard.
What if my photo fails?
Retake to spec. Digital rules add pixels and file size on top.