Getting your passport photo rejected wastes time and money — and it happens more than you'd think. The U.S. State Department says unacceptable photos are the number one reason it puts passport applications on hold. This guide covers every major country's passport photo size so you can resize your photo to the exact dimensions at home — for free. No need to visit a studio.
→ Resize My Passport Photo Now (Free)
Passport Photo Size by Country (2026)
Different countries require different passport photo sizes. Here are all major standards with exact pixel dimensions at 300 DPI (photo-quality printing):
| Country / Region | Size (mm) | Size (inches) | Pixels (300 DPI) | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 51 × 51 mm | 2 × 2 in | 600 × 600 px | 1:1 |
| India | 51 × 51 mm | 2 × 2 in | 600 × 600 px | 1:1 |
| UK | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | 413 × 531 px | 7:9 |
| EU / Schengen | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | 413 × 531 px | 7:9 |
| Australia | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | 413 × 531 px | 7:9 |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm | 2 × 2.75 in | 591 × 827 px | 5:7 |
| China | 33 × 48 mm | 1.3 × 1.89 in | 390 × 567 px | 11:16 |
| Japan | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | 413 × 531 px | 7:9 |
| South Korea | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | 413 × 531 px | 7:9 |
| Brazil | 50 × 70 mm | 2 × 2.75 in | 591 × 827 px | 5:7 |
Quick summary: Most countries use either 2×2 inches (USA, India) or 35×45mm (UK, EU, Japan, Korea, Australia). When in doubt, use 35×45mm — it is the ISO/ICAO standard. These specifications trace back to ICAO Document 9303, the global rulebook for machine-readable travel documents; ICAO required every member state to issue only machine-readable passports from April 2010, so the format your photo needs to match is broadly consistent worldwide.
How to Resize Your Photo (3 Steps)
You don't need Photoshop or a studio. Our free tool does it in seconds:
- Open our Passport Photo Resizer.
- Upload your headshot photo.
- Select your country preset — the tool automatically crops and resizes to the exact dimensions.
- Download the result and print it at any pharmacy.
→ Open the Free Passport Photo Tool
7 Rules for a Perfect Passport Photo
Follow these rules to avoid rejection at the embassy or passport office:
- Lighting: Face a window for natural, even light. No harsh shadows on your face or background.
- Neutral Expression: Mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera. No smiling for biometric passports.
- Plain White Background: Use a white or light grey wall. No patterns, no shadows. If your wall isn't perfect, use our AI Background Remover first.
- No Glasses: The USA, UK, EU, and most countries now ban glasses in passport photos due to glare issues.
- Head Position: Your head (from chin to crown) must fill 70–80% of the frame height. Don't crop too close.
- Recency: The photo must be taken within the last 6 months — the U.S. State Department requires a color photo taken in the last 6 months, and most other countries apply the same window.
- No AI edits or filters: Don't retouch, beautify, or AI-generate your photo. The U.S. now states plainly: "Do not change your photo using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence," and warns that it checks every photo for AI tool use. Cropping and resizing to the correct dimensions is fine; altering your face is not.
Step-by-Step Workflow
Step 1: Take the Photo
Stand about 1 meter (3 feet) from a white wall. Have someone else take the photo — selfies distort facial proportions. Leave plenty of space above your head and around the sides.
Step 2: Clean Up the Background (Optional)
If your wall isn't perfectly white, use our AI Background Remover to replace it with solid white.
Step 3: Crop & Resize to Your Country's Size
- Go to our Passport Photo Resizer.
- Upload your photo.
- Select the preset for your country (e.g., "US Passport 2×2", "UK Passport 35×45mm").
- Crucial: Align your eyes with the guide lines. Your head should fill 70–80% of the frame.
- Download the ready-to-print file.
Step 4: Print at Home or Pharmacy
Print the file on 4×6 inch (10×15cm) glossy photo paper. You can fit 4–6 passport photos on a single print. Use CVS, Walgreens, Boots, or any photo kiosk.
→ Resize My Passport Photo Free
Passport Photo Size in CM (Quick Reference)
Looking for passport photo dimensions in centimeters? Here's a quick reference:
| Country | Width (cm) | Height (cm) | Pixels (300 DPI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 5.1 cm | 5.1 cm | 600 × 600 px |
| UK | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px |
| India | 5.1 cm | 5.1 cm | 600 × 600 px |
| EU / Schengen | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px |
| Canada | 5.0 cm | 7.0 cm | 591 × 827 px |
| China | 3.3 cm | 4.8 cm | 390 × 567 px |
| Australia | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px |
| Japan | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px |
Standard passport photo size: Most countries use either 5.1 × 5.1 cm (USA, India) or 3.5 × 4.5 cm (UK, EU, Japan). The international ICAO standard is 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
→ Resize to Any Country's Size (Free)
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a US passport photo? US passport photos must be exactly 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51mm / 5.1 × 5.1 cm), which is 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI.
What size is a UK passport photo? A printed UK passport photo must be 35 × 45mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm), approximately 1.38 × 1.77 inches, or 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI. If you apply online, GOV.UK requires a digital photo that is at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall on a plain, light-coloured background.
What is the standard passport photo size in cm? The most common passport photo size is 3.5 × 4.5 cm (used by the UK, EU, Australia, Japan, South Korea). The USA and India use 5.1 × 5.1 cm.
Can I take a passport photo with my phone? Yes! Modern smartphones have more than enough resolution. Just follow the 6 rules above and use our free tool to crop to the exact size.
What background color do I need? Almost all countries require a plain white or off-white background. Use our Background Remover to fix a non-white background instantly.
What are the exact passport photo dimensions? Passport photo dimensions vary by country. The two most common standards are: 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches) used by the USA and India, and 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 inches) used by the UK, EU, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. Canada uses a larger 50 × 70 mm format.
What is the passport photo size in mm? The standard passport photo size in mm is 35 × 45 mm (ICAO international standard). The USA and India use 51 × 51 mm. China uses 33 × 48 mm, and Canada uses 50 × 70 mm.
What is a pass size photo / passport size picture? A "pass size photo" or "passport size picture" refers to a biometric photo that meets your country's passport requirements. In most countries, this means a head-and-shoulders photo with a plain white background, shot from the front with a neutral expression. The exact dimensions depend on your country — see the table above.
How do I crop a photo to passport size? Use our free Passport Photo Resizer. Upload any photo, select your country, and the tool automatically crops and resizes to the exact passport photo dimensions. No Photoshop needed.
What is the passport photo size for India? Indian passport photos must be 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches), which is 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI — the same size as US passport photos. Background must be plain white.