2026 Passport Photo Size Cheat Sheet: Dimensions for US, UK, EU & China

Planning an international trip? Whether you are applying for a US Visa, renewing a British passport, or getting a Chinese visa, there is one thing that causes more rejections than anything else: The Photo.

Countries have strict biometric standards. A photo that works for a UK passport (rectangular) will be instantly rejected for a US Visa (square).

To help you navigate this confusion, we've compiled the Ultimate 2026 Passport Photo Size Cheat Sheet. We also provide free, private, and instant tools to help you crop your photos to the exact official specifications—right from your browser.

⚡ Quick Reference Table (Global Standards)

Don't have time to read? Find your country below and click "Crop Now" to generate the correct size instantly.

🇺🇸 The US & India Standard: 2x2 Inches (51x51mm)

The "2x2" size is unique and strictly enforced by the US Department of State and Indian Consulates. It must be a perfect square.

Key Requirements:

• Dimensions: Exactly 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inches).
• Resolution: Minimum 600 x 600 pixels; Maximum 1200 x 1200 pixels.
• Head Size: The head (from top of hair to bottom of chin) must measure between 25mm and 35mm (1 inch to 1 3/8 inches).
• Eye Height: Eyes must be between 29mm and 35mm from the bottom of the photo.

⚠️ Common Mistake:

Many users try to crop this manually using generic editors, resulting in incorrect aspect ratios. If your photo is even slightly rectangular (e.g., 50x51mm), the online upload system will reject it.

Solution: Use our dedicated 2x2 Photo Cropper. It automatically locks the aspect ratio to 1:1 and includes a Face Overlay to help you align your head perfectly within the required biometric zone.

Official Sources:

• 🇺🇸 US State Department - Photo Requirements
• 🇮🇳 India Visa Online - Photo Specifications

🇬🇧 The International Standard: 35x45 mm (UK, EU, Australia)

This is the most common passport photo size in the world, used by the UK, most European countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain), Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Key Requirements:

• Dimensions: 35mm width x 45mm height.
• Background: Plain cream or light grey (UK); White (Most EU countries).
• Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking directly at the camera.
• Glasses: Generally not allowed (especially in the UK and France).

Solution: Use our Passport Photo Cropper and select the "UK / EU Standard (35x45mm)" preset.

Official Sources:

• 🇬🇧 GOV.UK - Passport Photo Rules
• 🇪🇺 Schengen Visa Info - Photo Requirements

🇨🇳 China Visa & Passport Standards

China has specific requirements depending on the document type. Using a standard 35x45mm photo for a Chinese Visa is a common reason for application delays.

• Chinese Visa / Passport: 33mm x 48mm.
  • Head width: 15mm - 22mm.
  • Head height: 28mm - 33mm.
  • Background: Pure White.
• Chinese ID Card (Second Gen): 26mm x 32mm (Digital: 358 x 441 px).

Solution: Select the "China Visa (33x48 mm)" preset in our Passport Photo Cropper.

Official Source:

• 🇨🇳 MFA China - Photo Requirements for Visa

🛠️ How to Crop Photo to Passport Size Online (Free)

You don't need Photoshop or expensive studio visits. Follow these steps to create a compliant photo in seconds:

Step 1: Take a Photo at Home

• Stand 1.5 meters away from a white wall.
• Ensure lighting is even (face a window). Avoid shadows on your face or background.
• Use the rear camera of your phone (not the selfie camera) to avoid lens distortion.

Step 2: Upload to Our Tool

• For US/India photos, go to the 2x2 Photo Cropper.
• For UK/EU/China photos, go to the General Passport Cropper.

Step 3: Align & Download

• The tool will automatically set the correct aspect ratio.
• Move the crop box so your head fits inside the guide (Oval/Overlay).
• Click "Download". Our system will automatically resize the image to the exact pixel dimensions required (e.g., 600x600 px or 413x531 px) at high quality.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I crop a 2x2 photo from a selfie?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it. Selfies distort facial features (making the nose look larger) and often have bad lighting. It is best to ask a friend to take the photo for you.

2. What is 2x2 inches in pixels?

For a high-quality print (300 DPI), 2x2 inches is 600 x 600 pixels. This is also the standard digital requirement for the US DS-160 Visa form. Our tool exports files at this exact resolution.

3. Is this tool free? Is it safe?

Yes, BulkPicTools is 100% free. More importantly, your photos are processed locally in your browser for privacy. We do not store your biometric data on our servers.

4. What if I need a different size?

If you need a custom size not listed (like a specific badge or ID card), use our Batch Image Cropper which allows for "Free" cropping mode.

🚀 Start Cropping Now

1. 🇺🇸 Create US Visa Photo (2x2)

• Auto-resize: Instant 600x600px compliant size.
• Privacy: 100% client-side processing, no server uploads.

2. 🛂 Create UK/EU Passport Photo

• Standards: Supports UK, China, and Schengen requirements.
• Secure: Powered by local browser processing.

Disclaimer: While we adhere to official standards, photo acceptance is ultimately subject to the decision of the respective government authorities. Please ensure your original photo has good lighting and focus.