Official photo specs

2x2 Picture Editor — Free Online 2x2 Inch Photo Maker

Turn any photo into a 2x2 inch passport or visa picture. Free to try: auto-crop, white background and size check for US visas, DS-160 and green cards.

🔒Deleted after 24h

✅30+ checks

🌍100+ countries

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Search and choose your passport, visa, ID card, or government photo specification.

📐Photo Size:51×51 mm (600×600 px)

🎨Background:white

Upload your photo

JPEG, PNG or WEBP · max 15 MB

Click here or drag and drop your photo

☀️

Good lighting, no shadows

👤

Face camera, neutral look

📏

~1.5m (5 ft) distance

Official Standards · Free to try

100+

Countries

30+

Compliance checks

< 2 min

Processing time

100%

Compliance rate

Complete Biometric Guide

Detailed Guide & Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about creating a compliant passport photo.

Table of Contents (9 Sections)

What Is a 2x2 Picture Editor?

A 2x2 picture editor is an online tool that turns any photo into the exact 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) square that US authorities require. You need this format for US passports, DS-160 and DS-260 applications, green cards and the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery.

Upload one photo and the editor crops it, centres your face, sets the correct head size and swaps the background for plain white. You do not need a studio visit, editing skills or extra software. Uploading and previewing are free, so you can check the result before you download.

How to Make a 2x2 Photo in 3 Steps

Upload a photo. Face the camera directly with a neutral expression and even lighting. Any background works, because the tool removes it for you.
Let the editor apply the specification. It centres your face, scales your head to 1 to 1⅜ inches, aligns your eyes at the correct height and adds a plain white background.
Download or print. Save a square JPEG under 240 KB for online uploads, or print a 4×6 inch sheet with four ready-to-cut 2×2 inch copies.

2x2 Inch Photo Specifications

US agencies check every photo against strict rules. Your 2x2 photo must match these requirements:

Requirement	Specification
Print size	2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
Digital size	Square, from 600×600 px up to 1200×1200 px
Head height	1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm), chin to crown
Eye height	1⅛ to 1⅜ inches (28–35 mm) from the bottom of the photo
File format	JPEG, 24-bit sRGB colour
Max file size	240 KB
Background	Plain white or off-white, no shadows or patterns
Expression	Neutral, or a natural smile, with both eyes open
Eyeglasses	Not allowed, except in documented medical cases
Recency	Taken within the last 6 months

Digital vs Printed 2x2 Photos

Your application decides which version you need. Online forms such as the DS-160 and the DV Lottery ask for a digital file. Paper applications ask for prints.

Digital photo: a square JPEG, 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, no larger than 240 KB.
Printed photo: 2 × 2 inches on glossy or matte photo paper, with no creases, stains or borders.

Our editor creates both from one upload, so you can apply online today and keep prints for later.

How to Take a Good Photo Before You Upload

A better source photo gives a better result. Follow these tips and you will pass on the first try:

Use natural light. Stand facing a window so light falls evenly on your face.
Avoid shadows. Stand a step away from the wall so your head does not cast a shadow.
Keep the camera at eye level. Ask a friend to shoot from about 1.5 metres (5 feet) away.
Face forward. Keep your head level, your eyes open and your shoulders square.
Remove glasses and hats. Only religious or medical exceptions apply.
Skip filters. Turn off beauty modes and effects, because authorities reject altered photos.

Which Documents Require a 2x2 Photo?

The same 2x2 inch format applies across most major US travel and immigration documents:

US passports: new applications and renewals.
DS-160 nonimmigrant visas: B1/B2, F1/M1/J1, H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN and other categories.
DS-260 immigrant visas: family-based and employment-based green card applications.
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: the same digital specification applies.
Some USCIS forms: for example, employment authorization applications may ask for passport-style photos. Read your form instructions to confirm.

Photo Mistakes That Cause Rejections

Most rejections come from a handful of fixable errors. Here is how the editor solves each one:

Wrong aspect ratio: the editor crops non-square photos to a perfect 1:1 ratio.
Grey or shadowed background: the editor replaces it with uniform white.
Head too large or too small: the editor rescales it to the 1 to 1⅜ inch range.
Oversized file: the editor compresses the file to stay under 240 KB.
Glasses in the shot: you can spot them in the preview and retake the photo without them.

2x2 Picture Editor vs. a Photo Studio

A studio or pharmacy works, but it costs more time and money. Compare the two options:

Feature	2x2 Picture Editor	Studio or Pharmacy
Time	Under 2 minutes, no travel	Includes travel, queuing and printing
Digital file	Included, under 240 KB	Often an extra fee, or unavailable
Retakes	Unlimited	Usually one or two shots
Background	Replaced automatically	Depends on the studio backdrop
Cost	Free to try, pay only to download	Typically $10–$25

Official References

Check the official sources for the latest rules before you apply:

Frequently Asked Questions

A 2x2 photo is a square picture that measures 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) and has a plain white background. It is the standard size for US passports, visas and green card applications.

Upload your photo to the editor. It crops the image to a square, resizes your head to the required 1 to 1⅜ inch range and replaces the background with white. You can upload, edit and preview for free. A fee applies only when you download the final high-resolution file.

Yes. Download the 4×6 inch print sheet with four 2×2 photos and print it on real photo paper at home or at a drugstore kiosk. Plain office paper is not accepted.

No. A smartphone photo taken in even light is enough. The editor handles the cropping, background removal and sizing for you.

Yes. US passports and visas use the same 2×2 inch format, white background and head-size rules, so one compliant photo works for both. Digital uploads must be 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels.

No. Eyeglasses are not allowed in US passport or visa photos, except in documented medical cases. Take them off before you shoot.

Digital uploads must be no larger than 240 KB. Save the photo as a 24-bit sRGB JPEG between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels. The editor compresses your file automatically.

Uploading, cropping, background removal and previewing are free. You pay only if you choose to download the full-resolution file or print sheet. There are no subscriptions.

Your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must show how you look today. Do not reuse an old photo, even if it meets the size rules.