Passport Photo Size Requirements — All Countries 2026
Published April 2026 · 10 min read · ID Photos
Passport photo requirements are precise, country-specific, and unforgiving. Submit the wrong dimensions, wrong background colour, or wrong head height, and your application is delayed or rejected outright. This guide covers official requirements for all major countries in 2026 — and how to produce compliant photos at home for free, without uploading anything to a cloud service.
Why Passport Photos Get Rejected
Passport photo rejections fall into a few consistent categories:
- Wrong dimensions: Photos too small, too large, or wrong aspect ratio
- Head too small or too large in frame: Every country specifies head height as a percentage of total image height
- Wrong background: Off-white backgrounds, shadows, patterns, or colour gradients
- Glasses: Most countries have banned glasses in passport photos since 2018
- Expression: Smiling, mouth open, or eyes closed
- Poor lighting: Shadows on face or background, harsh highlights
- File format or size: Wrong file type, too large, or too small in KB
The Passport Photo tool handles the dimensional requirements — size, crop, and head positioning. Background, expression, and lighting must be correct in the source photo.
UK Passport Photo Requirements
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical size | 35mm wide × 45mm tall |
| Digital size (minimum) | 50 KB |
| Digital size (maximum) | 10 MB |
| File format | JPEG only |
| Background | Plain cream or white; no patterns or texture |
| Face coverage | Face must occupy 70–80% of the image height |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not allowed since 2018 |
| Head covering | Not allowed unless for religious reasons |
| Resolution (for print) | 300 DPI = 413 × 531 px at physical size |
For digital UK passport applications (online renewal), the photo must be uploaded as JPEG between 50 KB and 10 MB. The service has an automated checker that verifies background colour, face size, and expression. Take the photo against a plain white or very light cream wall with diffuse natural light — flash creates shadows on the background that the automated checker rejects.
US Passport Photo Requirements
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Digital size | 240×240 px minimum; 1200×1200 px maximum |
| File format | JPEG only |
| File size | Under 240 KB for online submission |
| Background | White or off-white only; no patterns |
| Head height | 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head (within the 2×2 photo) |
| Expression | Neutral expression or natural smile; mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Resolution (for print) | 300 DPI = 600 × 600 px at 2×2 inches |
The US uses a square format — unusual among passport standards. Head height must be between 1 and 1⅜ inches within the 2-inch frame, meaning the face occupies 50–69% of the total image height. The US State Department provides a free online photo compliance checker at travel.state.gov.
US Visa (B1/B2) Photo Requirements
US visa photos use the same 2×2 inch format as passports. Head height: 1 inch to 1⅜ inches. Background: white or off-white. Recent photo (within 6 months). Taken in full face view, looking directly at camera.
EU / Schengen Biometric Passport Photo Requirements
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical size | 35mm wide × 45mm tall (same as UK) |
| Digital resolution | 400 × 514 px minimum (at 300 DPI for print size) |
| Background | Light grey or white; uniform, no shadows |
| Head coverage | Face height: 70–80% of photo height |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and visible |
| Glasses | Not allowed (biometric requirement) |
EU member states have standardised on the ICAO 9303 biometric passport photo standard, which specifies face geometry requirements that automated border control gates verify. The 35×45mm format is used by Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and most other EU members.
Some EU countries have additional requirements: Germany requires eyes to be symmetrically positioned in the frame; France requires the photo be less than 6 months old with a specific background shade reference.
Indian Passport Photo Requirements
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical size | 51mm × 51mm (2 × 2 inches, same as US) |
| Digital resolution | 600 × 600 px recommended; JPEG format |
| Digital file size | 10 KB to 1 MB for online submissions |
| Background | White only |
| Head size | Face should occupy 50–70% of the image |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Ears | Both ears must be visible |
India uses a square format (51×51mm) like the US. A unique requirement: both ears must be clearly visible — hair must be pulled back or tucked behind the ears. This is enforced during manual review and automated biometric processing.
Australian Passport Photo Requirements
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical size | 35mm wide × 45mm tall |
| Digital size | Between 50 KB and 2 MB |
| File format | JPEG |
| Background | Plain white or light grey |
| Head height | Face from chin to crown: 25–35mm (within the 45mm photo) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Taken within | Last 6 months |
Canadian Passport Photo Requirements
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical size | 50mm × 70mm (larger than most) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Head height | 31–36mm from chin to crown within the 70mm photo |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Taken within | Last 6 months |
| Special requirement | Must be signed on the back by guarantor |
Canada uses a non-standard 50×70mm format — taller than the 35×45mm used by UK, EU, and Australia, and wider than the US 51×51mm square. This catches many people who try to use photos sized for other countries.
Quick Reference Table — All Countries
| Country | Size (mm) | Background | Face Height % |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 35 × 45 | White / cream | 70–80% |
| US | 51 × 51 (square) | White / off-white | 50–69% |
| EU (most countries) | 35 × 45 | White / light grey | 70–80% |
| India | 51 × 51 (square) | White | 50–70% |
| Australia | 35 × 45 | White / light grey | 55–78% |
| Canada | 50 × 70 | White | 44–51% |
| China | 33 × 48 | White | Face 20–22mm |
| Japan | 35 × 45 | White / plain light | 70–80% |
| UAE | 43 × 55 | White | Face 32–36mm |
| Saudi Arabia | 40 × 60 | White | Face 25–35mm |
| South Africa | 35 × 45 | White | 70–80% |
| Brazil | 30 × 40 | White | 70% |
How to Take a Good Passport Photo at Home
Equipment
- Smartphone with a 12 MP+ rear camera (better quality than front camera)
- Tripod or a surface to prop the phone at face height
- White wall or white sheet as background
Lighting
The most important variable. Face must be evenly lit with no shadows on the background or face. Ideal setup: sit facing a window in indirect natural daylight (not direct sun, which creates harsh shadows). Avoid mixed light sources. Fluorescent overhead lights on their own create shadows under the chin and nose — supplement with a ring light or reflector if shooting indoors without windows.
Position
- Camera at eye level — not above or below
- Face directly front-on — not angled
- Leave space above the head for cropping — don't crop the top of the head in the source photo
- Both shoulders visible — not just the face
- Plain dark top — avoids colour blending with the white background
Expression
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- Eyes open, looking directly at camera
- No glasses (most countries reject them now)
- Hair off face — ears visible (required in several countries including India)
How the myPixelVault Passport Photo Tool Works
The Passport Photo tool accepts any photo and crops and resizes it to exact country standards:
- Select your target country/standard from the dropdown
- Upload your photo
- Use the crop handles to position the face within the frame guidelines
- Download the cropped and resized photo at the correct pixel dimensions
The tool outputs photos at 300 DPI-equivalent pixel dimensions for each country standard. For digital application submission, the file is already correctly sized. For print (at chemists, photo booths, or home printers), the pixel dimensions produce the correct physical size at 300 DPI.
Processing runs entirely in your browser — no photo is uploaded to any server. This is particularly important for ID photos, which contain biometric information you may not want stored on third-party servers.
Printing Your Passport Photo at Home
Most home inkjet printers can produce passport-quality prints if you use the correct settings:
- Paper: Glossy or semi-gloss photo paper (matte is generally not accepted)
- Resolution: Print at "Best" or 300+ DPI
- Size: Set print size to exact dimensions (e.g., 35×45mm for UK) — do not scale to fit
- Colour profile: sRGB (standard; most camera photos are already sRGB)
For the UK, the printed photo can be submitted at a Post Office or included in a postal application. For the US, the printed 2×2 inch photo is required for in-person applications; online renewal accepts digital JPEGs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a UK passport photo?
UK passport photos must be 35mm wide × 45mm tall. For digital applications, the minimum file size is 50 KB and maximum 10 MB in JPEG format. The face must be centred and occupy 70–80% of the frame height. Plain cream or white background required; no patterns, shadows, or graduated backgrounds. The photo must have been taken in the last month (for child passports) or within the last year (for adult passports).
What size is a US passport photo?
US passport photos must be 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), square format. For digital applications, the file must be between 240 × 240 px and 1200 × 1200 px in JPEG format, under 240 KB. The head must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head within the 2-inch photo. White or off-white background. Neutral expression or natural smile with mouth closed.
Can I take my own passport photo at home?
Yes. Most countries accept self-taken passport photos provided they meet the technical requirements. You need a white or plain light background, good diffuse lighting with no shadows on the face or background, and a neutral expression. Use the Passport Photo tool to crop and resize to your country's exact dimensions. Check your country's official requirements before submitting — some countries require the photo to be certified by a guarantor.
What background colour is required for passport photos?
Most countries require plain white or off-white. UK: cream or white. US: white or off-white. EU countries: white or light grey. India: white only (strict). Canada: plain white. Australia: white or light grey. No country accepts blue, green, or coloured backgrounds for standard passports, though some countries accept specific light blue tones. Check your country's official guidance as requirements are updated periodically.
How do I make a digital passport photo from home?
Take a photo against a white wall in good natural light, ensuring no shadows on the background or face, neutral expression, and both ears visible. Upload to the Passport Photo tool, select your country, adjust the crop to centre your face within the frame guides, and download. The output JPEG is correctly dimensioned for digital submission to most passport authorities.
What DPI should a passport photo be?
For printed passport photos, 300 DPI is the standard. At 300 DPI: UK 35×45mm = 413×531 px; US 2×2 inches = 600×600 px; EU 35×45mm = 413×531 px; Canada 50×70mm = 591×827 px. The Passport Photo tool outputs at these pixel dimensions, which produce the correct physical size when printed at 300 DPI without scaling.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
UK: No. Neutral expression, mouth closed is required. US: Neutral expression or natural smile is permitted, but mouth should be closed. EU countries: No — neutral expression required for biometric compliance. India: No — neutral expression, mouth closed. Canada and Australia: No — neutral expression. The majority of countries now require neutral expression for biometric facial recognition compatibility.