One of the most confusing parts of applying for a passport, visa, or government ID is getting the photo size right. Is it 2 inches or 51 millimeters? 35mm by 45mm or 1.38 by 1.77 inches? And what's the difference between a 1-inch photo and a 2-inch photo anyway? This guide covers every passport photo size you need -- with centimeter to inch conversions for over 50 countries.
Why Photo Size Matters
A photo that's 1mm off can get your application rejected. Most countries accept a small tolerance (±1mm), but going significantly over or under the specified dimensions causes automatic rejection by:
- VFS Global verification systems
- USPS photo acceptance systems
- Online government submission portals
- Embassy and consulate processing centers
Using a tool that generates photos at the exact specified size eliminates this risk entirely.
Passport Photo Size Quick Reference
| Country | Size (mm) | Size (inches) | Face Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 51 x 51 mm | 2 x 2 in | 1-1 3/8 in |
| UK | 35 x 45 mm | 1.38 x 1.77 in | 25-35 mm |
| Canada | 35 x 45 mm | 1.38 x 1.77 in | 30-35 mm |
| India | 51 x 51 mm | 2 x 2 in | 25-35 mm |
| Australia | 35 x 45 mm | 1.38 x 1.77 in | 32-36 mm |
| Schengen | 35 x 40 mm | 1.38 x 1.57 in | 70-80% of height |
| China | 33 x 48 mm | 1.3 x 1.89 in | 15-22 mm |
| Japan | 35 x 45 mm | 1.38 x 1.77 in | 30-35 mm |
| Singapore | 35 x 45 mm | 1.38 x 1.77 in | 25-35 mm |
| UAE | 40 x 50 mm | 1.57 x 1.97 in | 70-80% of height |
Centimeter to Inch Conversion
Understanding the Math
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
To convert:
- mm to inches: divide by 25.4
- inches to mm: multiply by 25.4
Common Conversions for Passport Photos
| Millimeters | Inches | Real-World Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mm | 0.98 in | Just under 1 inch |
| 30 mm | 1.18 in | Slightly over 1 inch |
| 33 mm | 1.30 in | A little over 1.25 inch |
| 35 mm | 1.38 in | Just under 1.5 inch |
| 40 mm | 1.57 in | Just over 1.5 inch |
| 45 mm | 1.77 in | Just under 1.8 inch |
| 48 mm | 1.89 in | Nearly 2 inches |
| 51 mm | 2.01 in | Just over 2 inches |
1-Inch vs 2-Inch Photos: What's the Difference?
1-Inch Photos
- Used for: Most visa photos, some government IDs
- Dimensions: 1 x 1 inch (25.4 x 25.4 mm)
- Most common in: China (1-inch format), some Asian countries
- On a 4x6 print: Typically 8 photos per sheet
2-Inch Photos
- Used for: US passport, US visa, Indian passport, some government IDs
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 inches (50.8 x 50.8 mm)
- Most common in: USA, India, some international forms
- On a 4x6 print: Typically 4 photos per sheet
SnapshotAI Handles All Sizes Automatically
SnapshotAI generates photos in your specific country's required size. Just select your destination:
- US (2 x 2 inch) -- State Department standard
- UK (35 x 45 mm) -- British Consular standard
- India (51 x 51 mm) -- VFS Global India standard
- Canada (35 x 45 mm) -- Passport Canada standard
- Schengen (35 x 40 mm) -- ICAO standard for all Schengen countries
- Australia (35 x 45 mm) -- Australian Passport Office standard
- China (33 x 48 mm) -- Chinese government standard
- And 50+ more countries
How to Print Your Passport Photos
At Home (4x6 PDF)
SnapshotAI's 4x6 print-ready PDF exports are designed for home printing:
- Print on 4x6 photo paper
- Cut along the guides
- Photos are perfectly sized and spaced
At a Photo Lab
Take your digital file to:
- Walgreens Photo (bring the 4x6 PDF on USB or email)
- CVS Photo
- FedEx Office
- Any local photo lab
Image and PDF Compression and Resizing
If you need to compress or resize your passport photo for an online application:
- SnapshotAI generates at full resolution -- your original is the best quality
- For US online renewal (state.gov): ensure file is under 240KB
- For VFS applications: follow the specific portal's file size requirements
- Do NOT compress your only copy -- keep the full-resolution original
Complete Country-by-Country Passport Photo Size Guide
North America
- USA: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) -- digital: min 600 x 600 px
- Canada: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in)
- Mexico: 26 x 32 mm (varies by consulate)
Europe
- UK: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in)
- Schengen Area: 35 x 40 mm (1.38 x 1.57 in) -- valid in all 27 Schengen countries
- Ireland: 35 x 45 mm
- France: 35 x 35 mm (square format)
- Germany: 35 x 45 mm
Asia
- India: 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 in) -- VFS Global standard
- China: 33 x 48 mm (1.3 x 1.89 in)
- Japan: 35 x 45 mm
- Singapore: 35 x 45 mm
- South Korea: 35 x 45 mm
- Thailand: 35 x 45 mm
- Vietnam: 40 x 60 mm
Middle East
- UAE: 40 x 50 mm
- Saudi Arabia: 40 x 60 mm
- Israel: 50 x 50 mm (square)
Africa
- South Africa: 35 x 45 mm
- Nigeria: 35 x 45 mm
- Kenya: 50 x 50 mm
Oceania
- Australia: 35 x 45 mm
- New Zealand: 35 x 45 mm
Get the Right Size Photo, Every Time
Stop guessing at sizes and converting units manually. SnapshotAI generates photos at the exact size your government requires -- no math needed.
