2×3 ID Photos: Size, Background Color & How to Get It Right
A 2×3 photo (2 cm wide – 3 cm tall) is a small format used for cards, booklets and some applications that ask for a small photo. Common specifications, frequent mistakes and a free 2×3 photo tool. Updated 10/2026.
A 2×3 ID photo is 2 cm wide and 3 cm tall (20 × 30 mm). The head (chin → top of hair) is about 16–20 mm, facing straight ahead, forehead and both ears visible, on a white background (or as the receiving office requires).
2×3 ID photo specifications
| Size | 2 × 3 cm (2 wide – 3 tall) · 20 × 30 mm |
|---|---|
| Print resolution | 236 × 354 pixels at 300 dpi |
| Head height | About 16–20 mm |
| Background color | White (most common) – or as the receiving office requires |
| Pose | Facing straight ahead, shoulders level, mouth closed |
| Clothing | Collared top, in a color different from the background |
| When taken | Use a photo taken within the last 6 months |
Which documents use a 2×3 ID photo?
| Cards | Library cards, membership cards, access cards (varies by place) |
|---|---|
| Booklets & small documents | Booklets and forms with a small photo box |
| Applications | Some applications explicitly state "2×3 photo" |
Get it right the first time
Do
- Look straight into the lens, shoulders level
- Even lighting, no shadows on the background
- Forehead and both ears visible
- Leave a little space above the top of your hair
Common reasons for rejection
- Cropped from a 3×4 photo, so the head gets cut off
- Head too small, making the face hard to recognize at small print sizes
- Shadows on the background
- Blurry or grainy photo from enlarging a small image
FAQ
How many cm and pixels is a 2x3 photo?
A 2×3 photo is 2 cm wide and 3 cm tall (20 × 30 mm). Printing at 300 dpi requires at least 236 × 354 pixels.
Can I crop a 2x3 photo from a 3x4 photo?
Yes, if the original is sharp enough and has space around the head, but the ratios differ (2:3 versus 3:4), so the head must be repositioned. The K-BLACK tool automatically realigns it to the 2×3 standard.
Can I make a 2x3 photo online?
Yes. Open the K-BLACK ID photo tool, choose the 2×3 standard and upload a front-facing photo: it automatically removes the background, aligns the head and exports a 300 dpi print file for free.
Other photo standards
Common specifications for 2×3 ID photos in Vietnam. The receiving office may have its own requirements – check before submitting.