Last reviewed: 12 July 2026
There is no single "passport photo size." Each country sets its own dimensions and its own rule for how much of the frame your head must fill. Get either one wrong and the photo gets rejected, even if it looks fine to you. Here's what the major countries actually require.
Quick answer
- Most countries use 35×45 mm. The US uses 2×2 in (51×51 mm). Canada uses 50×70 mm.
- Head height (chin to crown) is a separate biometric requirement — not just how big the photo is.
- Background colour varies: the UK requires light grey or cream, not white.
Concrete output example
The same original portrait produces different deterministic frames when the country changes. The verified US preset downloads as a 51×51 mm square with a 25–35 mm head band; the verified UK preset downloads as 35×45 mm with a 29–34 mm band. The tool crops around the face for the selected proportions instead of stretching one country's result into another country's dimensions.
Passport photo sizes by country
| Country | Photo size | Head height | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | 25–35 mm | White or off-white |
| India — child below four | 35×45 mm | 80–85% of frame | White |
| United Kingdom | 35×45 mm | 29–34 mm | Light grey or cream |
| Canada | 50×70 mm | 31–36 mm | White or light-coloured |
| Australia | 35×45 mm | 32–36 mm | White or plain light grey |
| Schengen (EU visa) | 35×45 mm | 32–36 mm | Light, uniform |
Sources: U.S. State Department · GOV.UK · Passport Seva under-four guidance · Canada.ca · Australian Passport Office · EU Visa Code
Why head size matters as much as photo size
Two photos can be the same 35×45 mm and still differ wildly. India's under-four print guidance uses 80–85% face coverage, while the UK uses a different composition. A generic square crop almost never matches the required chin-to-crown band. That's why "I cropped it myself" photos fail so often. The head ratio is a biometric requirement, not a suggestion.
Print size vs. digital size
Many countries also specify a minimum pixel size and DPI for online uploads, separate from the print dimensions. A photo can be the right physical size but too low-resolution. Or the right resolution but the wrong file size for the portal. Each country page above lists the exact print size, pixel size, DPI and file-size range together.
How to get the exact size without measuring
Rather than measuring millimetres by hand, upload your photo to the passport photo maker, pick your country, and it crops your head to the precise required band and applies the correct background automatically. Applying for a visa instead? Select the visa document rather than assuming the passport crop is interchangeable.
Don't forget the upload file size
Once the dimensions are right, the last hurdle is the portal's file cap. Enter the current portal's stated limit only after the crop is correct. It all runs in your browser, with nothing uploaded.
Troubleshooting country-size mismatches
| Failure | Fix |
|---|---|
| Correct outer size, wrong head scale | Re-crop using the country's chin-to-crown band; do not resize the whole photo alone. |
| White background rejected | Use the selected authority's published colour; UK requires light grey or cream. |
| Canadian printed passport submission refused | Use a commercial photographer and obtain the required certification and guarantor signature. |
| Portal rejects a visually correct image | Check that portal's current pixel, format and file-size fields in addition to print dimensions. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard passport photo size?
There is no single standard. India's 35×45 mm print applies to a passport applicant below four; ordinary adults are photographed at the PSK/POPSK. The UK uses 35×45 mm, the US uses 2×2 inches, and Canada's printed passport photo is 50×70 mm.
Why does my self-cropped passport photo keep getting rejected?
Photo size and head size are separate requirements. India's under-four print and overseas ICAO guidance use 80–85% face coverage, while the UK and US use different bands. Ordinary adult Indian applicants are photographed at the PSK/POPSK.
Is a white background required for all countries?
No. The US uses white or off-white. India's under-four print and overseas ICAO guidance use white. Other authorities publish different options, so check the current source for the exact document.
Can I use a passport photo for a visa application?
Sometimes, but not always. Visa photo requirements can differ from passport requirements even for the same country — for example, some consulates specify different background colours or head ratios. Use the visa photo maker and select the specific visa type to get the correct spec.