Getting passport photos right is critical for official document submissions, visa applications, state employment exams, and identity cards. A single rejected photograph can delay an application for weeks.
1. Standard Passport Photo Dimensions by Country
Different countries enforce strict millimeter and pixel standards. Below are the most common official requirements:
- India: 35 mm × 45 mm (standard passport & PAN card) and 35 mm × 35 mm for certain online forms. Head height should occupy between 70% to 80% of the frame.
- United States: 2 × 2 inches (51 mm × 51 mm) or 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI. Head size from bottom of chin to crown must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches.
- United Kingdom & Schengen Europe: 35 mm × 45 mm. Head height between 29 mm and 34 mm from chin to crown.
- Canada: 50 mm × 70 mm. Chin to top of head must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm.
Tip: Always use our free Passport Photo Maker to automatically position the oval face guide and match official guidelines without manual math.
2. Background and Lighting Guidelines
Most consulates require a plain white or light off-white background. Shadows behind the ears, across the face, or on the wall behind the subject are the number one reason photos get rejected. Ensure balanced frontal lighting and maintain a neutral facial expression with eyes open and mouth closed.
3. Printing on Standard 4x6 Photo Paper
Instead of paying high studio prices for single prints, you can fit up to 8 passport photos (35x45mm) on a standard 4x6 inch (10x15 cm) glossy photo sheet. When printing at home or at a local cyber café, remember to select "Actual Size" or 100% scaling in printer settings to prevent unintended stretching.