Passport Photo Sizes by Country: US, UK, EU, Canada & More
The standard US passport photo size is 2x2 inches (51x51mm), a square format that differs from the 35x45mm rectangular photos used across the UK, EU, Japan, and Australia. Canada uses a unique 50x70mm format, and China requires 33x48mm. Each country enforces strict specifications for head size, background color, and image resolution. This guide provides the exact dimensions, digital pixel requirements, and specifications for passport photos in every major country.
Passport Photo Dimensions by Country
| Country | Width x Height (mm) | Width x Height (in) | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 51 x 51 | 2 x 2 | 1:1 (square) |
| United Kingdom | 35 x 45 | 1.38 x 1.77 | 7:9 |
| EU / Schengen | 35 x 45 | 1.38 x 1.77 | 7:9 |
| Canada | 50 x 70 | 1.97 x 2.76 | 5:7 |
| India | 51 x 51 | 2 x 2 | 1:1 (square) |
| China | 33 x 48 | 1.30 x 1.89 | 33:48 |
| Japan | 35 x 45 | 1.38 x 1.77 | 7:9 |
| Australia | 35 x 45 | 1.38 x 1.77 | 7:9 |
The United States and India both use the 2x2 inch square format. The 35x45mm format is the most common worldwide, adopted by the UK, EU member states, Japan, and Australia. Canada’s 50x70mm requirement is among the largest passport photo formats in the world.
Head Size Requirements
Each country specifies how much of the photo the head and face should occupy. These measurements refer to the distance from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair).
| Country | Head Height (mm) | Head Height (in) | Head Width (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 25-35 | 1 - 1-3/8 | Not specified | Head must be centered; eyes between 28-35mm from bottom |
| United Kingdom | 29-34 | 1.14-1.34 | Not specified | Measured from chin to crown |
| EU / Schengen | 32-36 | 1.26-1.42 | Not specified | Face must cover 70-80% of photo height |
| Canada | 31-36 | 1.22-1.42 | Not specified | Face length from chin to natural top of head |
| India | 25-35 | 1 - 1-3/8 | 15-25 | Follows US sizing guidelines |
| China | 28-33 | 1.10-1.30 | 15-22 | Head centered; specific eye-line position required |
| Japan | 32-36 | 1.26-1.42 | Not specified | Face centered vertically |
| Australia | 32-36 | 1.26-1.42 | Not specified | Head centered; no tilt |
For US passport photos, the eyes must be positioned between 28mm and 35mm (1-1/8 to 1-3/8 inches) from the bottom edge of the photo. Most EU countries require the face to occupy 70-80% of the vertical frame.
Background Color Requirements
| Country | Required Background | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Plain white or off-white | No patterns, shadows, or textures |
| United Kingdom | Plain light grey or cream | White backgrounds accepted; no patterns |
| EU / Schengen | Light grey, light blue, or white | Varies by country; check specific requirements |
| Canada | Plain white | Pure white preferred; no shadows |
| India | Plain white | White only; no other colors accepted |
| China | White | Uniform white background required |
| Japan | Plain white or light blue | No patterns or gradients |
| Australia | Plain white | No off-white; must be pure white |
Background shadow is one of the most common reasons for photo rejection. Position the subject at least 30cm (12 inches) from the background and use even lighting from both sides to eliminate shadows.
Digital Passport Photo Specifications
When submitting passport photos online or for electronic visa applications, the digital file must meet specific pixel and file-size requirements.
| Country | Min Pixels (W x H) | Max Pixels (W x H) | File Size | File Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 600 x 600 | 1200 x 1200 | Up to 240 KB | JPEG |
| United Kingdom | 600 x 750 | 1800 x 2250 | Up to 10 MB | JPEG |
| EU / Schengen | 600 x 750 | Varies by country | Varies | JPEG |
| Canada | 420 x 540 | 4800 x 6000 | Up to 4 MB | JPEG |
| India | 350 x 350 | 1000 x 1000 | 10-300 KB | JPEG |
| China | 354 x 472 | 420 x 560 | 40-120 KB | JPEG |
| Japan | 600 x 600 | Not specified | Varies | JPEG |
| Australia | 600 x 750 | Not specified | Up to 5 MB | JPEG |
For print submissions, all countries require a minimum resolution of 300 DPI. A 2x2 inch US passport photo at 300 DPI equals exactly 600x600 pixels. A 35x45mm photo at 300 DPI equals approximately 413x531 pixels, though most digital submission portals require higher pixel counts than the print-equivalent minimum.
How to Calculate Passport Photo Pixels
Use this formula to determine the pixel dimensions needed for any passport photo:
Pixels = Size in inches x DPI
For a US passport photo at 300 DPI:
- Width: 2 inches x 300 DPI = 600 pixels
- Height: 2 inches x 300 DPI = 600 pixels
For a UK passport photo at 300 DPI:
- Width: 1.38 inches x 300 DPI = 413 pixels
- Height: 1.77 inches x 300 DPI = 531 pixels
Use the DPI calculator to verify pixel dimensions for any photo size and resolution combination.
Printing Passport Photos at Home
When printing passport photos at home, the most practical method is to arrange multiple copies on a standard 4x6 inch (10x15cm) print.
US 2x2 inch photos on a 4x6 print: 2 photos per sheet (2 across, 1 down with margins)
35x45mm photos on a 4x6 print: 4 photos per sheet (2 across, 2 down)
For best results:
- Use glossy or matte photo paper (most countries accept both; some prefer matte)
- Print at 300 DPI or higher
- Use a color-calibrated printer or send to a professional print service
- Do not scale or crop after sizing; maintain exact dimensions
- Cut with a paper cutter rather than scissors for clean edges
See the standard photo print sizes guide for paper size options when printing passport photos.
Common Rejection Reasons
Passport photo rejections cause delays and additional costs. These are the most frequent reasons photos are refused:
Dimensional errors:
- Photo is not the exact required size
- Head is too large or too small in the frame
- Eyes are not within the specified position range
- Photo is not properly centered
Background issues:
- Background is not the correct color
- Shadows visible on the background
- Background has visible texture or patterns
- Uneven lighting creates a gradient effect
Subject issues:
- Glasses worn (many countries now prohibit glasses entirely)
- Mouth open or teeth showing
- Head tilted or rotated
- Hair covering the face or eyebrows
- Expression is not neutral
- Red-eye visible
Technical quality:
- Resolution below 300 DPI for prints
- Image is blurry or out of focus
- Overexposed (too bright) or underexposed (too dark)
- Visible JPEG compression artifacts
- File size exceeds or falls below requirements
- Wrong file format (must be JPEG for most online submissions)
The US Department of State reports that approximately 5% of passport photo submissions are rejected, primarily due to incorrect dimensions and shadow issues. Using the correct lighting setup and measuring dimensions before submission prevents most rejections.
Country-Specific Notes
United States
The US switched from allowing glasses in passport photos to prohibiting them in November 2016. Photos must show both ears. The 2x2 inch format has been the standard since 2003. Submit through the State Department website for new passports and renewals.
United Kingdom
The UK accepts digital photos for online passport applications through the HM Passport Office portal. Photos taken against a plain, light-colored wall at home are acceptable if they meet all technical requirements. Red-eye correction tools must not be used.
Canada
Canada’s 50x70mm format is larger than most other countries, requiring more space above the head. The photo must show the full front view of the face and the top of the shoulders. A white background is mandatory, and the photo must be taken within the last 6 months.
China
China’s 33x48mm format is the smallest among major countries. The background must be white, and the subject must have a neutral expression with mouth closed. Digital submissions for Chinese visa applications require very specific file size ranges (40-120 KB).
India
India follows the US 2x2 inch format. For the Online Passport Application (OPA), photos must be between 10 KB and 300 KB. The background must be plain white, and the face should occupy 50-70% of the photo area.
Related Resources
- Standard Photo Print Sizes — Common photo sizes for printing portraits and passport photos
- DPI Guide for Printing — Understanding resolution requirements for passport photo printing
- DPI Calculator — Calculate exact pixel dimensions for any passport photo size
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a US passport photo?
A US passport photo is 2x2 inches (51x51mm). The head height must be between 1 and 1-3/8 inches (25-35mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The background must be plain white or off-white.
Are UK and EU passport photos the same size?
Yes. Both the UK and EU/Schengen countries require passport photos sized 35x45mm (1.38x1.77 inches). However, specific head size and background requirements may vary slightly between countries.
What DPI should a digital passport photo be?
Most countries require digital passport photos to be at least 300 DPI. The US requires a minimum of 300x300 pixels and a maximum of 4200x4200 pixels for online submissions. The UK requires between 600x750 and 1800x2250 pixels.
Why do passport photos get rejected?
Common rejection reasons include incorrect dimensions, wrong background color, shadows on the face or background, head too large or too small in the frame, glasses worn in the photo, overexposed or underexposed images, and low resolution or blurry images.
Can I use a 35x45mm photo for a US passport?
No. The US requires a 2x2 inch (51x51mm) square photo, which is different from the 35x45mm rectangular format used by the UK, EU, Japan, and Australia. Using the wrong size will result in rejection.