Passport Photo Size Requirements by Country (Quick Table)
By Ali Hamza · Published · 5 min read
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Most countries use one of three passport photo sizes: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) in the United States, 35 × 45 mm in the UK, the Schengen area, India, Australia and many others, and larger formats such as 50 × 70 mm for Canadian passports. Beyond size, every authority also sets a head-size range, a background colour and rules on expression and glasses. Use the table below to get oriented, then confirm the current rules on the official government site before you print or upload anything.
Rules change, and visa rules can differ from passport rules for the same country, so treat this page as a starting point, not the final word.
The quick table
| Country / document | Photo size | Head size (chin to top of head) | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States passport | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 1 to 1⅜ in (25–35 mm) | White or off-white |
| United Kingdom passport (printed) | 35 × 45 mm | 29–34 mm | Plain light grey or cream |
| Schengen visa (typical) | 35 × 45 mm | about 32–36 mm | Plain, light |
| Canada passport | 50 × 70 mm | 31–36 mm | Plain white or light |
| Australia passport | 35–40 mm × 45–50 mm | 32–36 mm | Plain white or light grey |
| India passport (applied in India) | 35 × 45 mm | Face filling most of the frame | White |
| China visa | 33 × 48 mm | 28–33 mm | White or near-white |
Figures summarise official guidance available in October 2026. Always confirm with the issuing authority, and check whether your application is online (digital photo) or on paper (printed photo).
Printed photos vs digital uploads
Many applications are now online, and online systems usually want a digital file, not a scan of a print:
- Pixel dimensions are specified instead of millimetres. The US online requirement, for example, is a square image between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels.
- File size limits apply, often a few hundred kilobytes.
- Format is usually JPEG.
For digital photos, crop to the right shape, set exact pixels with the Image Resizer, and bring the file under the size limit with the Image Compressor. Our guide to resizing to exact pixels shows how without distortion.
For printed photos, ToolMany's Passport Photo Maker lays out US 2 × 2 in, 35 × 45 mm and 40 × 50 mm photos on a 4 × 6 inch sheet at true size (300 DPI). In our tests the sheet is exactly 1200 × 1800 pixels, so a US photo is 600 × 600 pixels and prints at precisely 2 inches. For other sizes, such as Canada's 50 × 70 mm, use a photo service or software that supports that format.
What every authority checks besides size
Although sizes differ, the reasons photos get rejected are remarkably similar everywhere:
- Head size. Too small (you took the photo from too far away) or too large (too close, or cropped too tightly).
- Background. Not plain, not the right colour, or with shadows behind your head.
- Lighting. Shadows across the face, glare, or one side brighter than the other.
- Expression. Most countries want a neutral expression with mouth closed; the US accepts a natural, closed-mouth smile.
- Eyes. Open and visible, no glare. The US bans glasses entirely; others recommend removing them.
- Head coverings. Generally not allowed except for religious or medical reasons, and then the face must be fully visible.
- Recency. Usually taken within the last six months; the UK asks for the last month.
- No editing. Filters, beauty modes and background replacement are grounds for rejection.
Measuring head size correctly
"Head size" means the distance from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair) in most rules, not to the eyebrows or the top of the forehead. In a 35 × 45 mm photo with a 32–36 mm head, the head takes up roughly three-quarters of the photo's height. If your printed photo shows a lot of space above your head, the head is probably too small.
A practical trick: before printing, open your cropped photo on screen and divide the photo's height into quarters. The chin should sit close to the bottom quarter line and the top of the hair near the top edge, leaving a small gap.
Country-specific notes
- United States: glasses are not allowed, and digital photos for online renewals must meet the pixel rules above. Printed photos must be on photo-quality paper.
- United Kingdom: online applications ask for a digital photo, and some photo booths provide a code instead of a print. Printed photos must not be cut from a larger photo.
- Schengen: each member state issues its own visas, so the consulate's checklist is the authority, though 35 × 45 mm is standard.
- Canada: the 50 × 70 mm passport photo is larger than most, and the back of a printed photo usually needs the photographer's details and date. A home print rarely meets that requirement.
- India: applicants abroad using outsourced visa or consular services may be asked for 2 × 2 in photos instead. Check the specific service.
- China: visa photos have strict head-width as well as head-height limits, and some application centres require a digital upload.
A simple pre-print checklist
- Correct size for the exact document (passport, visa or ID card).
- Head size within range, measured chin to top of hair.
- Plain, evenly lit background of the right colour.
- Neutral expression, eyes open, no glasses where banned.
- Taken recently, not edited.
- Printed at 100% scale on photo paper, then measured with a ruler.
Our step-by-step guide on making a passport photo at home covers lighting and taking the photo.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 2 × 2 inch photo the same as 35 × 45 mm?
No. 2 × 2 inches is 51 × 51 mm and square. 35 × 45 mm is smaller and taller than it is wide.
Can I use the same photo for a passport and a visa?
Only if both use the same size and rules. A US passport photo will not fit a 35 × 45 mm visa form without re-cropping, and head-size rules may differ.
Can I take my passport photo at home?
For many countries, yes, if it meets the rules. Some, such as Canada for printed photos, effectively require a professional photographer.
Are smiles allowed?
The US allows a natural closed-mouth smile. Most other countries require a neutral expression.
Does ToolMany check whether my photo will be accepted?
No. It produces the correct print size, but the photo itself must meet the authority's rules.
