What is the standard passport photo size?

There's no universal standard. US passports require 2×2 inches (51×51mm), Indian passports need 2×2 inches (51×51mm), and UK passports require 35×45mm. Always check your specific country's requirements.

What's the difference between printed size and pixel size?

Printed size (mm or inches) is physical dimensions. Pixel size (px) is for digital uploads. Both must meet requirements. For example, 2×2 inches at 300 DPI equals 600×600 pixels.

What background color should I use?

Most countries require plain white or off-white backgrounds. Some (like India for OCI) may accept light blue. Never use patterned or colored backgrounds.

Can I take my own passport photo?

Yes! Use good lighting (natural daylight works best), a plain white wall, and stand about 1 meter away. Use our Passport Photo tool to crop and resize to exact specifications.

What's the file size limit for online applications?

Varies by portal: US (240KB max), India (20-300KB typically), UK (50KB-10MB). Always check the specific application portal's requirements.

Do babies and children have different requirements?

Photo size is the same, but rules are relaxed for babies: eyes can be closed, head support is hidden, and slight variations in position are accepted.

Passport Photo Size Guide - India, USA, UK & More Countries

Why Passport Photo Requirements Matter

Incorrect passport photos are one of the most common reasons for application rejections. Each country has specific requirements for:

Physical dimensions (printed size in mm or inches)
Digital dimensions (pixels for online uploads)
File size (KB limits for web applications)
Background color (usually white)
Head position and size (percentage of frame)
Expression and glasses (neutral, often no glasses)

Passport Photo Sizes by Country

India

Document	Size (mm)	Size (pixels)	File Size
Indian Passport	51 × 51 mm (2×2 inch)	600 × 600 px	10KB - 300KB
Aadhaar Card	35 × 45 mm	413 × 531 px	20KB - 50KB
PAN Card	25 × 35 mm	295 × 413 px	2KB - 20KB
Voter ID	35 × 45 mm	413 × 531 px	20KB - 50KB
SSC/UPSC/Railway	35 × 45 mm	Varies	20KB - 50KB

→ Indian Passport Photo Tool

United States

Document	Size	Digital Requirements
US Passport	2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)	600 × 600 px, max 240KB, JPEG
US Visa	2 × 2 inches	600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px
Green Card	2 × 2 inches	Same as passport

US Specific Rules:

Head must be 1-1⅜ inches (25-35mm) from chin to top of head
Eyes must be 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches (28-35mm) from bottom of photo
No glasses allowed since November 2016
White or off-white background only

United Kingdom

Document	Size	Requirements
UK Passport	35 × 45 mm	600 × 750 px min, 50KB-10MB
UK Visa	35 × 45 mm	Same specifications
UK Driving License	35 × 45 mm	Passport-style photo

UK Specific Rules:

Head height 29-34mm in the photo
Neutral expression with mouth closed
Plain cream or light grey background
No head coverings unless religious

European Union (Schengen)

Countries	Size	Notes
Germany, France, Italy, Spain, etc.	35 × 45 mm	Biometric standard

EU/Schengen Rules:

Face must occupy 70-80% of the photo
Head height 32-36mm
Light grey, blue, or white background (varies by country)
Biometric compliance required

Other Countries

Country	Size	Background
Canada	50 × 70 mm	White or light grey
Australia	35 × 45 mm	White
China	33 × 48 mm	White
Japan	35 × 45 mm	White or light blue
UAE	43 × 55 mm	White
Saudi Arabia	40 × 60 mm	White

How to Create Compliant Photos

Step 1: Take Your Photo

Lighting: Use natural daylight or bright, even artificial light
Background: Stand against a plain white wall
Distance: About 1-2 meters from the camera
Position: Face the camera directly, shoulders squared
Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open

Step 2: Use Our Passport Photo Tool

Our Passport Photo Maker helps you:

Upload your photo
Select your country/document type
Crop to exact required dimensions
Adjust to meet file size requirements
Download print-ready and digital versions

Step 3: Verify Compliance

Before submitting, check:

Face is centered and properly sized
Background is uniform (no shadows)
Image is not blurry or pixelated
File size meets portal requirements
Correct file format (usually JPG/JPEG)

Common Rejection Reasons

Wrong dimensions: Photo doesn't match required size
Face too small/large: Head not properly proportioned
Background issues: Shadows, patterns, or wrong color
Expression: Smiling, mouth open, eyes closed
Glasses: Many countries now prohibit glasses
Overexposed/underexposed: Too bright or too dark
File size: Exceeds maximum KB limit
Low resolution: Image too small or blurry

Digital vs Print Requirements

For Online Applications

Check pixel dimensions (e.g., 600×600 for US)
Verify file size limits (often 50-300KB)
Save as JPEG format
Use Compress Image if file is too large

For Print Submissions

Print at exact physical dimensions
Use photo paper for best quality
Don't scale the image when printing
Print at 300 DPI minimum

Tips for Different Scenarios

Baby/Infant Photos

Lay baby on white sheet and photograph from above
Eyes can be closed for very young infants
Hide any hand support behind the head
Same size requirements as adults

Photos with Religious Head Coverings

Most countries allow religious head coverings
Face must be fully visible from chin to forehead
Covering should not cast shadows on face
May need to provide a letter explaining religious requirement

Glasses Wearers

Many countries (US, UK) now prohibit glasses
If allowed, ensure no glare or reflections
Eyes must be clearly visible
Frames should not cover any part of the eyes

Ready to Create Your Photo?

Use our free Passport Photo Maker to create compliant photos for any country. Select your document type, and we'll handle the exact dimensions automatically!