Passport and visa photos: quick guide
Below is a plain-language overview of passport photo sizes, how to make a file online, and how common rules differ between the US, UK, and India. Use it alongside the tool above, then always confirm the latest requirements on your official application before you submit.
What is passport photo size?
When people talk about passport photo size, they usually mean two related ideas: the size on paper (often in inches or millimetres) and the size of the digital file (in pixels) for online uploads. Both describe how wide and tall your picture should be so printers and government systems get a consistent result.
A passport-style image is not only about width and height. Most guides also ask for a plain background, your face centred in the frame, and enough resolution that your features stay sharp when printed. Rules are not identical everywhere: one country may prefer a square digital file while another asks for a taller rectangle. That is why the safest habit is to read the checklist on the official site first, then match those numbers in a photo maker instead of guessing from a random template you found online.
You will often see references to a 2×2 inch layout for many United States passport and visa examples, and to 35×45 millimetres for many United Kingdom and India printed photos. Those sound different because the units differ, but they both describe a small, standard head-and-shoulders portrait.
How to make a passport photo online
You do not always need a photo booth. If you already have a clear picture from your phone or camera—face forward, even lighting, no heavy filters—you can often turn it into a passport- or visa-style file in a few minutes at home.
- Prepare the shot. Stand a short distance from the wall, avoid harsh shadows, and leave a little space above your head. Check whether your authority allows glasses, hats, or jewellery.
- Upload and crop. Use the tool above: upload a JPG, PNG, or WebP file, then drag on the image to set a square crop around your head and shoulders. You can drag again any time to refine it.
- Pick the output size. Choose the USA preset for a common 2×2 style (600×600 px), the India or UK preset for a typical 35×45 mm digital size (413×531 px), or enter custom width and height if your form lists exact pixels.
- Download and check. Save the JPG with the white background, zoom in to confirm edges look smooth, and use the optional A4 sheet if you want several copies on one page for home printing. Processing runs in your browser, so your image is not sent to our servers for editing.
Many visa photos follow the same general sizes as passport photos for a given country, but embassies sometimes publish their own diagrams or pixel lists. If your visa checklist names a specific resolution, use the custom fields so the export matches it exactly.
Country size differences: US, UK, and India
United States — US guidance often highlights a 2×2 inch printed photograph. Online systems may ask for a square digital upload; 600×600 pixels is a practical choice when you need a sharp square file that lines up with that print size at home. Head height, expression, and background rules still come from the official instructions, so read those alongside the dimensions.
United Kingdom — UK passport photos are frequently described as 35×45 mm when printed. Digital portals may specify their own pixel sizes. Our UK preset uses 413×531 pixels, a common conversion when a form assumes print at about 300 DPI. Treat it as a helpful default, then align with the exact portal you use.
India — India also commonly uses 35×45 mm for printed passport-style photos. Online services may add extra rules for file size in kilobytes, background colour, or how much of the frame your face should fill. Compare any preset to the numbers on your current application and switch to custom pixels when the form is specific.
Simple way to remember: the US side often centres on a square 2-inch idea, while the UK and India often share the same millimetre print label, even though digital upload rules can still vary. When instructions conflict with a generic template, trust the official checklist first. This tool helps you crop, resize, and add a white background quickly; it does not replace reading those rules or guarantee acceptance.
More entry points: US passport photo size, India passport photo size, UK passport photo size, and 2×2 photo maker.
FAQ
- What is a passport size photo in pixels?
- There is no single worldwide pixel size. Many US-style uploads use a square file such as 600×600 pixels when a 2×2 inch look is the goal. UK and India digital flows often use sizes like 413×531 pixels when a 35×45 mm print is converted at about 300 DPI. Your form’s own pixel width and height always win—use our custom fields if they list a different size.
- How do I make a 2×2 photo?
- Upload your portrait, use the square crop to frame your head and shoulders, select the USA preset (600×600 px), then download the JPG. For printing, use a service or printer setting that outputs at true size (100% scale) so the result stays two inches by two inches on paper. Re-read your authority’s head-size diagram so the crop you choose still fits their template.
- What is passport photo size in inches?
- A common US specification is 2 inches wide by 2 inches tall (written as 2×2). Other countries usually quote millimetres instead—for example 35×45 mm is widely used for UK and India printed passport photos. Convert carefully when a form mixes units, and rely on the measurements printed on the official instructions.
- Is my photo uploaded to your server?
- No. The passport photo maker uses the HTML canvas in your browser. Your file is not sent to us for processing.
- Why is the crop square?
- A square selection keeps the workflow simple. Your crop is then scaled to fit inside the passport rectangle you pick, centred on a white background, with margins added if the aspect ratios do not match.
- What is the A4 print sheet?
- It is a high-resolution JPEG (2480×3508 pixels) with multiple copies of your photo arranged for cutting out. Print at 100% scale without “fit to page” shrinking so sizes stay predictable.