1x1 Inch Photo: Size in cm, mm and Pixels
A 1x1 photo is a square ID photo measuring 1 inch by 1 inch — 2.54 x 2.54 cm (25.4 x 25.4 mm), which is 300x300 pixels at 300 DPI. It is the standard ID photo size used in the Philippines and appears on government ID cards, employment forms and school records in a number of other countries.
Confusion usually comes from the name. "1x1" means one inch by one inch, not one centimetre by one centimetre — the difference is a photo 2.5 times larger. It is also not the same as the US 2x2 inch passport photo, which is exactly twice the size in each direction and four times the area. If a form says 1x1 and you submit a 2x2, it will not fit the space on the document.
Because a 1x1 photo is physically small, print quality matters more than for larger sizes: 300x300 pixels is a tight frame, so a slightly soft original becomes noticeably blurry in print. Upload a photo above, select the 1x1 preset, and download a 300x300 JPG ready to print or attach.
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Photo specifications
- Size
- 25.4 × 25.4 mm
- Pixels
- 300 × 300 px
- Output
- 300 DPI
- Backgrounds
Common uses
- Government ID cards. — The most common use in the Philippines, where 1x1 is the standard size for national and local ID documents.
- Employment and school records. — Employee ID cards, job application forms, student records and enrolment documents frequently request a 1x1 inch photo.
- Online application forms. — Digital forms that accept an uploaded photo usually specify a pixel size. 300x300 is the usual target for 1x1.
- Visa and permit applications in some countries. — A small number of authorities ask for 1x1 rather than the more common 35x45 mm. Always check which your application wants.
1x1 Photo Size in Inches, cm, mm and Pixels
The same square photo expressed in every unit you are likely to see on a form.
| Unit | Width | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inches | 1 in | 1 in | What "1x1" means on the form |
| Centimetres | 2.54 cm | 2.54 cm | The metric equivalent — not 1 cm |
| Millimetres | 25.4 mm | 25.4 mm | Often written as 25x25 mm on digital forms |
| Pixels at 300 DPI | 300 px | 300 px | Standard resolution for print and most online uploads |
| Pixels at 600 DPI | 600 px | 600 px | Higher-resolution option, still printed at 1x1 inch |
Printing size and pixel size are independent: a 600x600 file and a 300x300 file both print at 1x1 inch. The higher pixel count only makes the print sharper. What has to be exact is the square crop and the head position within it.
What a 1x1 Photo Needs to Meet
Requirements vary by the organisation asking for the photo, but these are the properties nearly all of them check.
- 1. Square, 1x1 inch.Exactly 25.4 x 25.4 mm. A slightly rectangular crop is the most common reason a 1x1 upload is rejected.
- 2. Face centred and front-facing.Look directly at the camera with your head level. Tilted or three-quarter angles are not accepted for ID photos.
- 3. Enough resolution for a small print.300x300 pixels is the minimum. Start from an original at least 800 pixels wide so the crop does not have to be enlarged.
- 4. Plain, even background.White for most government IDs; blue or red for some employers and schools. No patterns and no shadows behind the head.
- 5. Both eyes open, neutral expression.A closed-mouth, neutral expression with both eyes visible. Smiling is not accepted on most official documents.
- 6. Printed on photo paper if submitted physically.Matte or glossy photo-quality paper, printed at actual size with "fit to page" scaling turned off.
Where a form specifies its own dimensions or background colour, follow the form. Use these defaults only when it does not.
Official sources
The figures on this page were checked against these sources. Requirements change, so confirm the details that apply to your own application before you submit.
- Philippine Statistics Authority — PhilID (national ID) photo guidance
- ICAO — Machine Readable Passport Photo Standards (Doc 9303)
Last reviewed 2026-09-13.
How to Make a 1x1 Inch Photo
- 1Select the 1x1 preset above. It is set to 1x1 inch (25.4x25.4 mm) at 300 DPI, so the output is 300x300 pixels.
- 2Upload a photo. Use one that is sharp and front-facing — at this size, softness is immediately visible.
- 3Remove the background. The tool strips the original background and replaces it with white, which suits most ID cards and forms.
- 4Adjust the crop. Use the zoom and arrows to centre your head and shoulders in the square frame.
- 5Choose the background colour if needed. Switch to blue or red if your form or employer asks for it.
- 6Download as JPG at 300x300 for forms and uploads, or print several copies on one photo sheet and cut them out.
Printing at home: place several 1x1 copies in a grid on a 4x6 sheet and cut them with a trimmer or scissors. Keep "actual size" selected in the print dialogue.
Common 1x1 Photo Mistakes
The errors that most often get a 1x1 photo sent back.
- Confusing 1x1 inch with 1x1 centimetre. 1x1 inch is 2.54 x 2.54 cm. A 1 cm photo is far too small and will be rejected.
- Submitting a 2x2 photo instead. 2x2 inches is the US passport size and is twice as large in each direction. Check the form before you crop.
- Starting from a low-resolution photo. At 300x300 pixels there is no room to spare. Upscaling a small original produces a visibly blurry print.
- Printing with "fit to page" enabled. The printer rescales the image and you end up with a 0.9 inch photo. Set the dialogue to actual size or 100%.
- Wrong background colour. White is the default for government IDs, but some employers and schools specify blue or red. Check first.
1x1 Photo Questions
How many pixels is a 1x1 inch photo?▾
At 300 DPI, a 1x1 inch photo is exactly 300x300 pixels. At 600 DPI it is 600x600 pixels.
What is a 1x1 photo used for?▾
Government ID cards, employment and school ID forms, and visa or permit applications that ask for a 1x1 inch photo. It is the standard ID photo size used in the Philippines.
Can I print a 1x1 photo at home?▾
Yes. Download the JPG and print it at exactly 1x1 inches on photo-quality paper. Because the photo is small, print several copies in a grid on one sheet and cut them out — turn off any "fit to page" scaling so the size stays exact.
What is 1x1 in centimetres?▾
1x1 inch is 2.54 x 2.54 cm (25.4 x 25.4 mm). If you see "1x1" on a Philippine form it means inches — 2.54 cm square, not 1 cm square.
Is 1x1 the same as 2x2?▾
No. 1x1 inch is 25.4x25.4 mm (300x300 px at 300 DPI) and is used for ID cards and forms. 2x2 inches is 51x51 mm (600x600 px) and is the US passport and visa size. They are not interchangeable.
Why does my 1x1 photo look blurry when printed?▾
At 300x300 pixels the image is physically small, so any blur is very visible. Causes are usually a low-resolution original, upscaling a small crop, or printing at the wrong size. Start from a photo at least 800 pixels wide and print at exactly 1 inch square.
What background colour should a 1x1 photo use?▾
White is the safe default for government ID cards and most forms. Some employers and schools ask for blue or red — check what your form specifies, since a few Philippine agencies use colour to distinguish applicant type.
Can I use a selfie for a 1x1 photo?▾
Yes if it is sharp, front-facing and evenly lit against a plain background. Get someone else to take it if possible — an arm's-length selfie distorts your features and often fails the head-size check.