Compare 35 × 45 mm and 2 × 2 inch photo sizes, understand their pixel dimensions at 300 ppi and choose the correct crop for your application.
Physical size and pixel size describe different things
Millimeters and inches describe how large a photograph should be on paper. Pixels describe the digital image grid. A photo can contain many pixels while printing at different physical sizes, depending on the resolution information and the settings used by the printing software.
In Passport Photo Maker, you choose a physical size and the tool calculates output pixels using 300 pixels per inch. This is an export setting, not a universal rule for every passport, visa or identity document. For an online submission, follow the required pixel dimensions and file-size limits supplied by the authority instead of assuming that a print preset is sufficient.
What 35 × 45 mm means
The 35 × 45 mm preset creates a portrait crop with a width of 35 millimeters and a height of 45 millimeters. Its width-to-height ratio is 7:9. At the tool's 300 ppi export setting, the JPG is 413 × 531 pixels, with fractional pixel values rounded to whole numbers.
To understand the calculation, divide each millimeter measurement by 25.4 and multiply by 300. For the width, 35 divided by 25.4 and multiplied by 300 is approximately 413.39 pixels. The output is therefore rounded to 413 pixels. The PDF print sheet places the photo at the chosen physical dimensions, independently of this small pixel rounding.
What 2 × 2 inches means
Two inches equal 50.8 millimeters, so a 2 × 2 inch photo is 50.8 × 50.8 mm. It is a square rather than a portrait rectangle. At 300 ppi, each side contains 600 pixels, giving a 600 × 600 pixel JPG.
A 50 × 50 mm crop is close to, but not exactly, 2 × 2 inches. If the instructions specify inches, use the 2 × 2 inch preset instead of entering 50 mm as an approximation. Similarly, do not confuse the dimensions of one photograph with the size of the sheet on which several copies are printed.
Changing presets changes the crop
Switching from a 35 × 45 mm rectangle to a square changes the amount of the original scene visible around the face. The tool fits the image to the selected frame without stretching it. Review the crop again after changing a preset, even if the face was correctly positioned in the previous preview.
Use the position sliders or drag the image to adjust framing, then change Zoom only as much as necessary. A square output may show different side areas or remove different top and bottom areas than a portrait output. If the source is already very tight, a different original photo may be necessary.
When to use custom dimensions
Choose Custom size when the required dimensions are not one of the presets. Enter width and height in millimeters and check the information displayed below the editor. The tool accepts widths from 20 to 70 mm and heights from 20 to 90 mm.
Custom dimensions do not automatically change the generic alignment guide into a country-specific template. You still need to check head measurements, background and other requirements. If the application needs a particular digital pixel size, keep in mind that this tool calculates pixels from millimeters at 300 ppi rather than offering an independent pixel-size field.
Frequently asked questions
Does 300 ppi mean the original photo is high quality? No. It describes the relationship between output pixels and intended print size. A blurry or low-resolution original does not become detailed because its export has a 300 ppi label.
Will a 35 × 45 mm photo work for every passport? No. These are dimension presets, not a list of accepted countries. Verify the requirements for your exact document and submission method.
Why can the printed result still be too large or too small? A printer dialog may apply Fit to page, borderless expansion or another scaling option. Use the PDF at Actual size and measure a sample print to confirm the final dimensions.