Photo requirements at a glance
Official specification summary for this document, verified against the issuing authority's requirements.
- Photo size
- 20x20 mm · 0.79x0.79 in
- Pixel size
- 472x472 px
- Resolution
- 600 DPI
- Background
- In color
- Head height
- 70 %
- File format
- JPEG
- Glasses
- not allowed
- Expression
- Neutral, eyes open, mouth closed
Your Photo 2x2 cm Now (20 × 20 mm / 472 × 472 Pixels)
FreeUpload a selfie, and our photo converter resizes and crops it to the exact specifications automatically. Works on iPhone, Android and desktop — no studio visit required.
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or paste an image from your clipboard
Check this box if health issues affect your photo — a medical certificate is required.
Compliance
Human Photo Verification
A compliance expert reviews your photo and provides a report. 99.2% approval rate.
Print sheet (multiple copies)
0.79x0.79 in · 600 dpi · JPEG · Unknown Region
Batch processing — process multiple photos at once
0 loadedUpload several photos; they are all cropped to the current document size using the same background & adjustments, then downloaded together as a ZIP.
2x2 cm Photo that is Perfect for Your Official Papers
A lot of official papers, such some ID cards, visas, and other sorts of identification, need a 2x2 centimeter photo. It's important to make sure your photo satisfies the official requirements so that you don't have to wait or get rejected. We make it easier to take a 2x2 centimeter photo that meets the rules at PhotoGov. Just submit a selfie or a high-quality picture, and we'll resize, crop, and optimize it to the right size so you can send it in digitally or physically. Square formats vary by country: our 1x1 picture size requirements page describes the 2.54 x 2.54 cm version used for IDs.
Get photo for: Photo 2x2 cm
Drag to reposition · Scroll-free sliders below
or paste an image from your clipboard
Check this box if health issues affect your photo — a medical certificate is required.
Compliance
Human Photo Verification
A compliance expert reviews your photo and provides a report. 99.2% approval rate.
Print sheet (multiple copies)
2x2 in · 300 dpi · JPEG · United States
Batch processing — process multiple photos at once
0 loadedUpload several photos; they are all cropped to the current document size using the same background & adjustments, then downloaded together as a ZIP.
Why Should You Use Our 2x2 cm Photo Service?
Exact 2x2 cm Size
Your photo is automatically resized to the right size of 2x2 cm
Background Correction
This feature gets rid of shadows and makes sure the background is clear and white or light-colored
Image Enhancements
Makes the picture clearer by changing the brightness, sharpness, and contrast
Digital and print versions
Get both a digital and a print-ready version of your photo to send in
Compliance Guarantee
Meets all the official standards for 2x2 cm pictures for a variety of documents
Requirements for 2x2 cm photos
To make sure your 2x2 cm photo is accepted, it needs to follow certain rules for how it looks and how it works The page on the biometric passport photo meaning explains why the framing, background, and expression rules exist.
| Size | 2 x 2 cm (20 x 20 mm) |
| Minimum DPI | 300 |
| Image Format | JPEG or PNG |
| File Size | Usually less than 1 MB |
| Background | Plain white or light-colored (no patterns or shadows) |
| Can be printed | Yes |
*Data from government agencies
Rules for how to look
Requirement for Aspect
Expression on the face
Neutral: mouth closed, no smile or frown
Eyes
Open and easy to see
Head Position
Centered and facing forward, with no tilting
Covering the Face
Should take up 70 to 80 percent of the height of the picture
Clothing
Solid colors preferred
Eyeglasses
Not allowed unless it's for medical reasons
Hats and Scarves
Allowed solely for medical or religious reasons and must not cover up facial features
Lighting
The face and background should be evenly lit, with no shadows or reflections
How to Make Your 2x2 cm Picture in Steps
Choose a Type of Document
From the selection of document formats on PhotoGov.net, pick "2x2 cm Photo"
Take a picture of yourself
Use a smartphone or digital camera that works well. Stand 1.5 to 2 meters away from a white or light-colored background. Make sure the lighting is even and right
Send the Picture
Send your picture to PhotoGov. Make sure your face is plainly seen and has a neutral look
Automatically resize and optimize
Our system will automatically resize the picture to 2x2 cm, clean up the background, and change the lighting and contrast
Get it and send it in
You can either download your finished photo file and get it ready to send in, or you can print it out to use in person
How to take your own Photo 2x2 cm photo
You can take a job application photo yourself with this setup, though the size and format come from the employer.
If you don’t want to go through the trouble and expense of locating and hiring a professional photographer to take your picture, you can simply take your own from home. So long as you follow the below instructions carefully, you can capture the perfect photo photo yourself:
1. Take a picture of yourself
Open up the PhotoGov.net photo service and take your picture. Make sure you’re not wearing any headcovers or glasses, do not wear a uniform, and keep your expression neutral. Ensure that the area is well-lit and that you are standing against a neutral background.
Watch "How to take a photo" (00:46)
2. Upload your photo to PhotoGov AI
Next, upload your image and process it through our site.
3. Receive your Passport Photo
Finally, you can download your ID photo. These images can be printed off, or you can simply use them as digital photos.
Best Ways to Take a 2x2 cm Photo
Lighting: To keep harsh shadows off your face or background, use natural light or gentle artificial light
Background: Stand in front of a wall that is simple white or light-colored. Don't let any patterns or things get in the way
Positioning: Your head should be in the middle and pointing straight ahead. Your face should take up roughly 70 to 80 percent of the height of the picture
Wear dark, solid-colored clothes to stand out against the background. Don't wear tops that are white or shiny
Things to Avoid Making Mistakes
Using the wrong size (such passport size instead of 2x2 cm)
Putting on glasses or hats that hide your face
Using photographs that are fuzzy, low-resolution, or too bright
Background with shadows, textures, or things
Smiling or moving your head
PhotoGov automatically finds and fixes these problems while processing photos
How to take Photo 2x2 cm photos for babies and kids
When taking pictures of babies and children for photo, many of the same rules apply; for example, they must still adhere to the dress code, and the photograph must be high-quality and well-lit. With that being said, the State Department is generally more forgiving when it comes to the neutral expression requirement.
- If you are photographing a newborn:
- Spread a white sheet out over the floor.
- Place the baby down on the sheet and take their photograph against it.
For slightly older babies:
- Prop them up in a child’s chair against a white sheet.
- If they are still unable to hold up their head, prop it up for them using a hand behind the sheet. Ensure no one else is visible in the shot.
More tips for being compliant
No retouching: Don't use digital filters or programs that change the way your face looks
Sharpness: Make sure the picture is clean and in focus, with no pixelation or blurriness
Face Coverage: Your face should take up 70–80% of the height of the picture
File Size and Type: JPEG or PNG, and less than 1 MB for digital submission
Submission and Printing Guidelines
For Physical Submission: Make sure the size is exactly 2x2 cm and print your picture on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper
To submit digitally, upload your photo to the right gateway and make sure it satisfies the size and resolution requirements US federal forms ask for the larger inch square, and our 2x2 photo guide describes that 51 x 51 mm format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other documents for the Others
Written by Olia Potiagaeva, Managing Editor Reviewed by the PhotoGov Editorial Team ★ 4.8 / 5.0 Google Checked against Others
Free retake or full refund
If your photo is rejected because of an error on our side.
→ Refund PolicyChecked against 8 official parameters
Every file is validated before you download it.
→ Compliance checkRequirements re-checked every 8 weeks
Against the Others specification, so the template never falls behind a rule change. Last checked: 12.10.2026.
→ Official Government SourcesOn this page:
- Get photo for: Photo 2x2 cm
- Why Should You Use Our 2x2 cm Photo Service?
- Requirements for 2x2 cm photos
- Rules for how to look
- How to Make Your 2x2 cm Picture in Steps
- How to take your own Photo 2x2 cm photo
- Best Ways to Take a 2x2 cm Photo
- Things to Avoid Making Mistakes
- How to take Photo 2x2 cm photos for babies and kids
- Frequently Asked Questions
PhotoGov.net strictly adheres to the Global regulations for ID photos.
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