Passport Photo Size by Country

There is no single passport photo size. Every country sets its own dimensions, file size limits and background rules, and using the wrong one is the most common reason a photo is rejected. Each guide below locks a free browser-based resizer to that country's exact official spec — nothing is uploaded.

Compare at a glance

Country	Printed	Digital	Background
United States	2 × 2 in	600 × 600 px, 54–240 KB	Plain white
United Kingdom	35 × 45 mm	600 × 750 px minimum, 50 KB+	Cream or light grey
Schengen Area	35 × 45 mm	413 × 531 px at 300 DPI	Light grey preferred
Australia	35–40 × 45–50 mm	Same spec, uploaded for online renewal	White or light grey
India	35 × 45 mm	Exactly 630 × 810 px, under 250 KB	Plain white

Head height matters more than photo size

The number people search for is the photo size, but the requirement that actually decides acceptance is how much of the frame your head fills. Every authority above specifies it, and it is the most commonly failed check.

The US wants the head at roughly 50–69% of image height. The UK asks for 29–34 mm chin to crown on a 45 mm photo. Schengen and Australia both want 32–36 mm. India is the tightest at 80–85% of frame height, raised from 70–80% in September 2025.

The failure mode is almost always the same: standing too far from the camera, leaving the head too small. Fill the frame.

The three mistakes that cause most rejections

Using your home country size. A US photo is square; the UK, Schengen, Australia and India all use rectangular portraits. They are not interchangeable, and trimming one into the other fails because the head-to-frame proportions differ too.

Assuming white is always right. The US and India require plain white. The UK asks for a light colour and often prefers cream or light grey. Schengen consulates generally favour light grey for biometric contrast.

Cropping when you should not. Most portals want a tightly framed photo — but the UK online service asks for head, shoulders and upper body and crops it for you. Cropping first gets it rejected.

Where a browser tool is not enough

Some countries add requirements no online tool can satisfy, and it is worth knowing before you rely on one.

Canada requires that a commercial photographer take the photo and stamp their name, studio address and the date on the back of the print. Home-printed photos are rejected regardless of image quality. We do not offer a Canada tool page for that reason.

Australia needs two identical prints for a paper application, one endorsed on the back by a guarantor. The photo itself you can prepare yourself.

India caps you at 12 upload attempts per application on Passport Seva, so getting the file right before you start matters more than usual.

Passport photo sizes by country

Every country sets its own pixel size, file size and background rules. Each page below locks the tool to that exact official spec.

US Passport & Visa Photo600 × 600 px square at 54–240 KB — one file for online renewal, DV Lottery and DS-160 visa uploads.UK Passport Photo35 × 45 mm printed, 700 × 900 px digital — clears the GOV.UK minimum of 600 × 750 px and 50 KB.Schengen Visa Photo35 × 45 mm at 413 × 531 px, light grey background — the same spec across all 29 Schengen countries.Australia Passport Photo35–40 mm wide, 45–50 mm high, head 32–36 mm — a size range rather than a fixed number. No glasses.India Passport PhotoExactly 630 × 810 px under 250 KB for Passport Seva, with 80–85% face coverage. 12 upload attempts.

Applying somewhere not listed yet? The general passport and exam photo resizer lets you set any exact size and file target. Preparing an Indian exam form instead? See our exam photo size guides.