Passport, visa and ID applications all ask for a photo, but not the same photo. Sizes differ from country to country, and so do the details of how your face must appear. This guide covers the common sizes, converts them to pixels and explains the rules that most authorities have in common.
Before anything else: photo requirements are set by each country and each agency, and they change. The values below are common examples, not official rules. Always check the current requirements on the official website of the authority that will receive your application, such as the passport office, the embassy or consulate, or the visa application center. If their instructions differ from anything here, follow theirs.
The common sizes at a glance
Sizes are given as width x height. Pixel values are rounded to whole pixels.
| Size | Where it is typically used | 300 DPI | 600 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 x 45 mm | Schengen visas and passports in many European countries | 413 x 531 px | 827 x 1063 px |
| 50 x 60 mm | Biometric photos in some countries, for example Turkish passports and ID cards | 591 x 709 px | 1181 x 1417 px |
| 45 x 60 mm | Traditional ID-style photo in Turkey, used for many forms and cards | 531 x 709 px | 1063 x 1417 px |
| 2 x 2 in (about 51 x 51 mm) | US passports and visas | 600 x 600 px | 1200 x 1200 px |
Other sizes exist too. Canadian passport photos, for example, are 50 x 70 mm. When your country uses a size that is not in the list, use a custom size and the same calculation.
How the pixel numbers are calculated
Physical size and pixels are linked by DPI, the number of pixels per inch. One inch is 25.4 mm, so:
pixels = size in mm / 25.4 x DPI
For a 35 mm wide photo at 300 DPI, that is 35 / 25.4 x 300, about 413 pixels. For the 2 x 2 inch format it is even simpler: 2 x 300 = 600 pixels.
300 DPI is the usual standard for photo prints. 600 DPI gives extra detail, which can help if a print shop or a digital system asks for higher resolution. The cm to pixels calculator does these conversions for any size, and the guide to DPI explains why the pixel count matters more than the DPI label.
Digital uploads have their own rules
Many applications are now submitted online. Digital photo rules are often given in pixels and file size instead of millimeters, sometimes with both a minimum and a maximum. A system might want a photo of at least a certain number of pixels and below a certain number of kilobytes, in JPG format.
Use exactly the numbers the application form states. To get under a size limit without ruining the photo, use the compress to target size tool, and read the guide to reducing file size for the details. Remember that some systems also reject photos that are too small, so do not shrink the dimensions below their minimum.
Rules most authorities have in common
These points appear in the requirements of many countries. They are described here as typical, not universal; your authority's list is the one that counts.
- Recent photo. Often taken within the last six months, showing how you look now.
- Facing the camera. Head straight, not tilted, shoulders square to the camera.
- Neutral expression. Mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible.
- Plain, light background. Usually white, off-white or light gray, with no patterns, objects or shadows.
- Even lighting. No shadows on the face or behind the head, no reflections and no red-eye.
- Glasses. Many authorities now ask you to remove them. Where they are allowed, there must be no glare and no tinted lenses, and the frames must not cover the eyes.
- Head coverings. Usually not allowed, except for religious or medical reasons, and the face must remain fully visible.
- Head size and position. Rules specify how large the head must be in the frame, often as a range from chin to the top of the head. For example, US requirements have long asked for a head height between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches on a 2 x 2 inch photo.
- No alterations. Filters, beauty effects and edits that change your appearance are generally not accepted.
Rules for babies and young children are often more relaxed. Again, check the official source.
Taking the photo yourself
If your authority accepts photos you take yourself, a phone can produce a good result.
- Stand in front of a plain, light wall, a step or two away from it so your shadow does not fall on the wall.
- Face a window with soft daylight, or use two light sources from the front so both sides of the face are evenly lit.
- Ask someone else to take the photo with the main camera at your eye level, from a little distance. Close-up selfies distort the face.
- Leave space around your head and shoulders; you will crop later.
- Take several shots and pick the sharpest one with a neutral expression.
Cropping to the exact size
The passport photo maker has presets for all four sizes above plus a custom size in millimeters, and lets you choose 300 or 600 DPI. The crop box is locked to the correct ratio, and an oval head guide and an eye-line guide help you position your face. Use the zoom slider and drag the photo until your head fits the guide.
You can download the single photo as a JPG with the DPI written into the file, or a print sheet. Be aware of what the tool does not do: it does not change or remove the background, and it does not check biometric rules such as face size, expression or lighting. Those are up to you and the photo itself.
Printing at home or at a photo shop
The print sheet places as many copies as fit on standard 10 x 15 cm (4 x 6 in) photo paper, with thin cut lines. The tool calculates the number automatically.
At home: print on photo paper and turn off every scaling option. Choose actual size or 100 percent, never fit to page. Inkjet prints on plain paper are usually not accepted.
At a photo shop or online lab: order a standard 10 x 15 cm or 4 x 6 in print of the sheet and ask for no cropping and no automatic enhancement. This is usually cheaper than a single passport photo service.
Either way, measure one printed photo with a ruler before cutting the rest. A small scaling error can make a 35 mm photo a millimeter too wide.
Some authorities take the photo themselves at your appointment, or only accept photos from approved studios or with a digital code. In those cases, a home-made photo is not an option.
Frequently asked questions
Which photo size do I need?
It depends on the country and the document. The table above lists common sizes, but the only reliable answer is on the official website of the authority handling your application.
Is 2 x 2 inches the same as 5 x 5 cm?
Not exactly. Two inches is 50.8 mm, so a 50 x 50 mm photo is slightly too small. Use the inch preset when a 2 x 2 inch photo is required.
Why was my photo rejected?
Common reasons are shadows on the background, a head that is too large or too small in the frame, glare on glasses, a tilted head, or a photo that is not recent. Compare your photo against the official rules point by point.
