ID photo size chart: 1-inch, 2-inch (with background-color notes)

1-inch 295×413, 2-inch 413×626, small 1-inch 260×378… This article lists common ID photo pixel and mm sizes, with notes on changing background color and hitting a target KB.

Editing & Processing Author tdd8.cn

When an ID photo is rejected, it is one of three things: wrong dimensions, non-compliant background, or a file over the size limit. Aligning those three is far more effective than retaking the photo.

1. Size chart

  • 1-inch: 25x35 mm, 295x413 px (at 300 DPI)
  • Small 1-inch: 22x32 mm, 260x378 px
  • Large 1-inch: 33x48 mm, 390x567 px
  • 2-inch: 35x49 mm, 413x579 px
  • Small 2-inch: 35x45 mm, 413x531 px
  • Large 2-inch: 35x53 mm, 413x626 px

Pixel values assume 300 DPI. Online submissions usually validate pixels only; DPI matters for printing.

2. Choosing the background colour

  • White: ID cards, passports, visas, CVs -- the most common.
  • Blue: social security, health insurance, some professional certificates.
  • Red: marriage certificates, some award certificates.

Follow the receiving office's requirement; when in doubt, choose white -- it is the most widely accepted.

3. Two traps when changing the background

Trap one: grey edges. Naive cutouts leave the old background around hair strands and shoulders. Zoom to 200% and check the edge, then fix it by hand if needed.

Trap two: skin tone shift. The algorithm may classify skin as background, leaving a greenish face. Compare against the original side by side after the swap.

4. Getting under the size limit

Portals often demand "under 50 KB" or "under 100 KB". The right order is to fix the dimensions first (295x413), then use compress to a target KB to reach the limit. Compressing before resizing tends to look mushy.

FAQ

Do ID photos need 300 DPI?

Only for printing; most online systems only check pixel size and file volume.

Can I take an ID photo with my phone?

Yes—use a solid background, front-facing, even lighting, then crop to the standard size.

Does changing the background color hurt quality?

No—only the background pixels are replaced; the subject stays intact.

Tools used in this guide

CropCustom crop area Compress to Target KBHit an exact file size
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