Indian Passport Photo Size: 51x51 mm = 600×600 Pixels (2026)

Published July 2026 · 4 min read · ID Photos

The answer first: Indian passport photos are 51 × 51 mm square (5.1 × 5.1 cm — the same as 2 × 2 inches), which at 300 DPI is 600 × 600 pixels. Passport Seva online uploads accept a JPEG between 10 KB and 1 MB on a plain white background — and uniquely among major countries, both ears must be visible.

Make a compliant photo in your browser

The free Passport Photo tool has the Indian 51 × 51 mm standard built in: upload a photo shot against a white wall, position your face at 50–70% of frame height with ears visible, and download a 600 × 600 px JPEG at 300 DPI. Everything runs in your browser — your photo is never uploaded to any server. If the output exceeds Passport Seva's 1 MB cap, the Compress to Target Size tool at a 900 KB target keeps quality visually intact.

The ears rule (and other India-specific rejections)

Passport Seva's biometric pipeline uses ear position as a facial landmark, so hair covering either ear is a rejection — tuck hair behind both ears before shooting. Other frequent failures: off-white or cream backgrounds (India requires pure white; shoot against a white wall in daylight), head coverings other than religious ones, and shadows behind the head from on-camera flash.

India visa & e-Visa photo size (for foreign nationals)

Applying for an Indian visa is a different spec than the Indian passport, but conveniently close: the India e-Visa portal requires a square photo between 350 × 350 and 1000 × 1000 pixels, JPEG, 10 KB – 1 MB, white background, full face with both ears visible. The paper visa application uses the same 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) print size. A 600 × 600 px photo from the Passport Photo tool's India Visa preset satisfies both digital and print submission. US visa applicants: the DS-160 uses the same 2 × 2 format — see the US guide.

Not the same as "passport size" for other Indian documents

Many Indian forms — PAN, some visa applications, exam registrations — ask for a "passport size photo" of 3.5 × 4.5 cm, which is the UK/EU 35 × 45 mm format (413 × 531 px at 300 DPI), not the passport's own 51 × 51 mm. Check which size your form actually specifies. For SSC, NEET, IBPS and other exam-specific photo and signature specs, see the SSC guide, NEET guide and IBPS guide, or use the Exam Photo Resizer directly.

Applying elsewhere? See the US 2×2 inch guide, the UK/EU 35×45 mm guide, or the all-countries reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Indian passport photo size in pixels?

600 × 600 pixels — that is 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches) at 300 DPI. For Passport Seva online submission the JPEG must be between 10 KB and 1 MB, on a plain white background.

What is the passport size photo size in cm in India?

5.1 × 5.1 cm (51 × 51 mm), square — the same physical size as the US 2 × 2 inch format. Note this differs from the 3.5 × 4.5 cm size used for many other Indian documents and visa applications.

Why must ears be visible in Indian passport photos?

Passport Seva's biometric processing uses ear position as a facial landmark. Both ears must be clearly visible — hair should be tucked behind the ears. This is enforced in both manual review and automated checks.

What is the India e-Visa photo size?

Square JPEG between 350 × 350 and 1000 × 1000 pixels, 10 KB – 1 MB, white background, full face with ears visible. A 600 × 600 px photo from the India Visa preset fits the accepted range and also prints correctly at 2 × 2 inches.

How do I make a 600x600 passport photo for Passport Seva?

Use the free Passport Photo tool: select the India standard, upload a photo on a white background with ears visible, position your face at 50–70% of frame height, and download a 600 × 600 px JPEG. If the file exceeds 1 MB, compress it to about 900 KB with the target-size compressor.