How to Size 2×2 Picture in Google Docs​

In many countries, 2 x 2 pictures are widely used in passports, national IDs, campus IDs, etc. It is an important requirement for recognizing one’s identity in an official document. You can always get a 2×2 picture at a professional photo studio, but if you want to DIY it at home, keep on reading. We are going to explain the 2×2 photo requirements and show you how to size a 2×2 ID picture using Google Docs by yourself step by step.

What Is a 2×2 Picture?

Usually, when we talk about a 2×2 picture, we mean a passport-style photo of 2×2 inches or 51×51 mm. In the Philippines, it is required in applications of many valid IDs, such as PRC ID, NBI clearances, student IDs, etc. Without compliant 2×2 ID pictures, these authorities will not grant you the document.

2×2 Picture Size, Formats, & Requirements

Cropping a picture seems easy, but creating a 2×2 picture has other requirements to meet besides of the picture size. Here are the detailed requirements for a 2×2 picture:

2×2 Picture Size

As mentioned, 2×2 can be measured in different units as follows:

• 2 inches (width) x 2 inches (height)
• 51 mm (width) x 51 mm (height)
• 5.1 cm (width) x 5.1 cm (height)

2×2 Picture Formats

Some authorities, such as universities, accept digital photos, while the PRC requires printed 2×2 pictures. See the 2 formats as follows:

👉For digital photo

• Resolution: 300 dpi
• File size: below 240 KB
• File format: .JPG or .JPEG

👉For printed photo

• Resolution: 600 dpi
• Paper: The photo should be printed on good-quality paper. Both glossy and matte paper are acceptable, but matte paper is preferred.

2×2 Picture Requirements

2×2 picture requirements may vary depending on different applications. Here are some general guidelines for the photo:

1. Background

The photo should be in color with a white background.

2. Image definition parameters

The head height, from the top of your hair to your chin, should be around 1.29 inches. The distance from your eyeline to the bottom of the photo should be about 1.18 inches.

3. Pose

You should face the front and look into the camera directly. Your head can not be tilted and both your shoulders should be even.

4. Expression

A neutral expression is required. Keep your eyes open and mouth closed. Exaggerated expressions are not acceptable, including smiling, frowning, grinning, etc.

5. Glasses

No glasses are allowed. Contact lenses are acceptable for medical reasons, but they should not change the color of your eyes.

6. Accessories

Accessories should be removed before the photo shoot, such as hats, earrings, hairbands, etc.

7. Hair

Your hair should not cover any facial features, especially your ears and eyebrows. A simple and neat hairstyle is recommended.

How to Size 2×2 ID Pictures in Google Docs

Google Docs is an online software that can be accessed easily. It is commonly used for resizing an ID picture. Here is a step-by-step guide for sizing a 2×2 ID photo with Google Docs:

1. Go to the website of “Google Docs”.

2. Click on “insert” and navigate to “drawing”. Then, click on “New”.

3. Now the drawing box will appear. Click the “image icon” to upload the photo you need to resize.

4. After you have inserted a photo into the drawing box, move the photo by the scale and adjust the shorter side of the photo to 2 inches.

5. Select the photo and click the “cropping icon”. Adjust the cropping frame to 2×2 inches and move the image to the center.

6. Click the “Save and Close” button on the top right and you will have a perfect 2×2 ID photo on the home page.

💡Note: Although it is possible to size 2×2 pictures with Google Docs, whether it will be accepted can not be guaranteed. It is difficult to set the space on top of the hair or the distance from the eyeline to the bottom of the picture, and usually, these are strict requirements of passport photos and visa photos. We recommend you to use a professional passport photo cropping tool for photos of official documents. 

How to Size 2×2 Normal Pictures in Google Docs

Unlike ID photos, which have specific and strict requirements on the image’s face, sizing normal pictures to 2×2 is even easier. See the following steps:

1. Search “Google Docs” in your search engine and go to the website.

2. Click the “image icon” and then click “drive” to insert the image you need to resize. You can select the image in the right column.

3. After you select the image, you need to crop it first. Click the icon for cropping and adjust the cropping frame until the image is in the center of the frame. Leave enough space around the image.

4. Click “image option” and navigate to the right column. Choose “Text Wrapping” and click “in front of text”.

5. Go to “Size and rotation” and uncheck “lock aspect ratio”. Set “width” and “height” to 2 inches, then your photo will be successfully resized to 2×2 inches.

How to Validate the Size of 2×2 Pictures

After you have resized a picture to 2×2 inches with online tools, you can confirm its size by opening it in Google Docs. Just select “image options” and check its size. To make sure it is compliant, you can check the guidelines for photos on the official website of your application. For example, if you are submitting a photo to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, check its requirements one by one on the university’s website.

Note: If you are applying for an ID that does not have strict requirements for the photo submitted, such as a student ID, you can size it using Google Docs. However, if you are applying for a passport, visa or national ID card, it is best you use a passport photo coverter to make the photo, which we will talk about thoroughly.

How to Size 2×2 Pictures with AI Tools

Although sizing a 2×2 picture with Google Docs is simple, there are other options online, such as the online passport photo converter, AiPassportPhotos. You can convert to photo to 2×2 inches within a few clicks. Follow these steps:

1. Visit AiPassportPhotos.

2. Tap the blue button and tap “Open Image” to upload the photo you need to convert. Your photo will be converted in 15 seconds. Its size and background will be automatically changed to a compliant standard.

3. Click the blue button “Free Download” on the top right and you will see a digital photo and a printout template. Both are available to download for free.

AiPassportPhotos is a convenient AI tool for creating 2×2 pictures. The process is quick, simple and free. Plus, it has a compliance check feature, ensuring its acceptance by Philippine authorities.

FAQ

How to take a 2×2 picture at home? 

You can make 2×2 pictures on cellphone by yourself at home and upload it to photo makers online such as AiPassportPhotos. 

How to print a 2×2 photo on a 4×6 using Google Docs?

First, open Google Docs and go to the “Drawing box”. Then, insert a 2×2 photo. Copy and paste until there are 6 photos. Align them manually on the canvas and then click “Save and Close”. Lastly, take the file to a printing store and print it on matte paper.

How to crop 2×2 pictures on phone?

Usually, you can crop 2×2 pictures using the photo editor on your smartphone. For example, if you have an IOS system, you can simply open a photo, find the “Crop” icon and tap “Square”. Your photo will be cropped.

Conclusion

All in all, it is important to understand the detailed requirements before you make a 2×2 photo. Sizing a 2×2 picture by yourself is not as difficult as you may think if you use the right tools. You can use Google Docs if you are good with software. Also, you can choose an online ID photo converter, such as AiPassportPhoto, to get a compliant 2×2 photo within a few clicks.