Passport Photo Maker Online — Sizes, Requirements & How to Make One
Passport photo rejection is more common than most people expect — the wrong dimensions, a shadow, or glasses are enough to send an application back. The free Passport Photo Maker produces compliant photos for 10 countries at the correct dimensions and DPI with a white background, entirely in the browser.
Passport Photo Size Requirements by Country
Photo specifications are set by each country's government and enforced strictly. The dimensions below are official requirements at 300 DPI, the resolution standard for print and most government digital submissions.
| Country | Size (mm) | Size (inches) | At 300 DPI | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 51 × 51 | 2 × 2 in | 600 × 600 px | White |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 | 1.38 × 1.77 in | 413 × 531 px | Light grey or white |
| EU / Schengen | 35 × 45 | 1.38 × 1.77 in | 413 × 531 px | White or off-white |
| India | 51 × 51 | 2 × 2 in | 600 × 600 px | White |
| China | 33 × 48 | 1.3 × 1.89 in | 390 × 567 px | White |
| Canada | 50 × 70 | 1.97 × 2.76 in | 591 × 827 px | White |
| Australia | 35 × 45 | 1.38 × 1.77 in | 413 × 531 px | White or light grey |
| UAE / Gulf | 40 × 60 | 1.57 × 2.36 in | 472 × 709 px | White |
The 35×45 mm format is the de facto global standard — the UK, EU, Australia, Singapore, Pakistan, and most European countries all use it. The US and India use a square 51×51 mm. Always verify on the official government website before submitting, as specifications occasionally update.
ICAO Standards: The International Baseline
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) document 9303 sets the global baseline for biometric travel document photos. Key requirements that almost all countries follow (with minor national variations):
- Full front-facing view: face straight, no head tilt or rotation
- Eyes open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera
- Neutral expression or natural smile (depending on country — US requires neutral)
- Uniform light background (no patterns, gradients, or other people)
- No glasses (banned globally since ~2015 due to biometric matching interference)
- Head covering only for religious reasons (worn daily and consistent with ID)
- Face occupying 70–80% of the photo height
How to Use the Passport Photo Maker
- Open the Passport Photo Maker.
- Drop or browse to a clear, front-facing photo. Higher resolution originals produce better output — a 12MP phone photo is ideal.
- Select your country from the dropdown. The canvas instantly updates to the correct aspect ratio and pixel dimensions.
- Enable the face guide overlay. Drag the image so your face sits within the oval guide — head centred, crown near the top guide line, chin near the bottom.
- Set the background to White (required by most countries). If your original has a clean light background, “Original” may also work, but white is safest.
- Download the single photo as a high-quality JPEG, or download a 4×6 print sheet with multiple copies ready for a print lab.
Common Rejection Reasons
| Rejection reason | The rule | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong dimensions | Exact mm/pixel requirements per country | Use a tool that applies the correct standard automatically |
| Face too small or too large | Face height must be 70–80% of photo height | Use the face guide overlay and zoom to fill the frame correctly |
| Glasses | Banned by US, UK, EU, Australia, and most others since 2015 | Remove glasses — no exceptions in the rules |
| Shadows on face or background | Shadow disqualifies the photo | Use diffused natural light; stand away from the background |
| Non-white background | Plain white required by most countries | Use the White background option in the tool |
| Head turned or tilted | Face must be perfectly straight-on, looking at camera | Ensure the source photo was taken straight-on — the tool cannot correct pose |
| Eyes not fully open | Both eyes must be open and clearly visible | Take multiple photos and select the best one |
| Photo too old | US requires photo taken within the last 6 months | Always use a recent photo for passport applications |
How to Take Your Own Passport Photo
You do not need a professional photographer to take a compliant passport photo. A modern smartphone and good natural light produce excellent results:
- Lighting — stand facing a window (not with a window behind you). Natural overcast light is ideal: soft, even, and shadow-free. Avoid direct sunlight (harsh shadows) and artificial overhead light (creates shadows under eyes and chin).
- Background — stand in front of a plain white wall, a door, or hang a white sheet. Distance yourself at least 1 metre from the background to prevent shadow from falling on it.
- Camera position — the camera should be at eye level. Photos taken from below emphasise the chin; photos from above emphasise the forehead. Use a tripod or lean the phone against a stack of books.
- Expression — look directly at the camera. Neutral expression (US, Germany, most EU countries) or natural closed-mouth smile (UK, Canada). No teeth showing is safest for international documents.
- Take multiple shots — take 10+ photos and choose the best. Eye blinks, slight head tilts, and unflattering expressions are impossible to correct in the photo maker.
Digital vs Print Submission
Many passport applications now accept digital photo uploads. Digital submission requirements differ from print:
| Submission type | Format | File size limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US DS-11 (mail/in-person) | Printed 2×2 inch JPEG | N/A — physical print | Print on photo paper at a pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Costco) |
| US DS-82 (online renewal) | JPEG | 11 MB max | Must be taken within last 6 months; JPEG minimum 600×600 px |
| UK passport renewal online | JPEG | 600 KB–6 MB | No physical print needed; follow HMPO digital guidelines |
| Indian passport (BSNL portal) | JPEG | 20 KB–50 KB | Small file size limit — reduce quality to 75% if needed |
The 4×6 Print Sheet
The 4×6 print sheet option arranges multiple passport photos on a standard 4×6 inch print (the most common and cheapest photo print size). For US 2×2 photos, you get 6 copies per sheet. For 35×45 mm photos, you get 6 copies.
To print: download the sheet, take it to a pharmacy or print shop, and order a standard 4×6 print. Specify “actual size” or 100% — never “fit to page”, which would scale the photos to a different size. Cut the individual photos with scissors. A single 4×6 print at a US pharmacy costs $0.30–$0.50, versus $15–$25 for a passport photo at the pharmacy counter.
Children's Passport Photos
Children's passport photo requirements follow the same rules as adults for most countries, with one practical difference: getting infants to look at the camera with eyes open and a neutral expression. Practical tips:
- Lay the infant on a white sheet or blanket for a natural white background
- Have a parent hold the baby just out of frame to keep their attention on the camera
- Take photos in burst mode and choose the best frame
- For the US, the parent's hands or arms must not be visible in the final photo
- Babies under 6 months may look slightly off to one side — this is usually accepted
Make Your Passport Photo Now
10 country standards, 300 DPI output, 4×6 print sheet option. No upload, no signup, no watermarks.
Open Passport Photo Maker