Passport photo sizes, country by country
Photo size, head size and background for the most requested passports and visas. Tap a row to size that photo with head guides and a print sheet.
Most countries use 35 x 45 mm with the head 32 to 36 mm on a plain white or light grey background. The US uses 2 x 2 inches (head 25 to 35 mm, white), Canada 50 x 70 mm and China visas 33 x 48 mm. Shoot against a real plain wall: most passport offices reject digitally altered photos, including a replaced background.
| Document | Photo size | Head (chin to crown) | Background | Edited photos | Make |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport photo 35 x 45 mm | 35 x 45 mm | 32 to 36 mm | white or light grey | Check with your office | Make |
| 2 x 2 inch photo | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | 25 to 35 mm | white | Not accepted | Make |
| US passport photo | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | 25 to 35 mm | white or off white | Not accepted | Make |
| US visa photo | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | 25 to 35 mm | white or off white | Not accepted | Make |
| UK passport photo | 35 x 45 mm | 29 to 34 mm | plain light grey or cream | Not accepted | Make |
| Schengen visa photo | 35 x 45 mm | 32 to 36 mm | plain light (white or light grey) | Not accepted | Make |
| Canada passport photo | 50 x 70 mm | 31 to 36 mm | plain white or light coloured | Not accepted | Make |
| Australia passport photo | 35 x 45 mm | 32 to 36 mm | plain white or light grey | Not accepted | Make |
| India passport photo | 35 x 45 mm | 31 to 36 mm | white | Check with your office | Make |
| China visa photo | 33 x 48 mm | 28 to 33 mm | white | Check with your office | Make |
| Japan passport photo | 35 x 45 mm | 32 to 36 mm | plain white or light | Check with your office | Make |
| Germany passport photo | 35 x 45 mm | 32 to 36 mm | plain light grey | Not accepted | Make |
| Nepal passport and visa photo | 35 x 45 mm | 32 to 36 mm | white | Check with your office | Make |
Take a passport photo at home in 3 steps
- Stand in front of a plain light wall, about 1.5 m from the camera, facing a window so daylight falls evenly on your face. Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
- Open the passport photo maker, pick your document and drop the photo. Your head is fitted to the official size automatically and your real background is kept.
- Check the guides and the head size readout, then download the digital photo or a 4 x 6 print sheet for any photo shop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard passport photo size?
35 x 45 mm is used by most countries, including the UK, the Schengen area, India, Australia, Japan and Germany. The United States uses 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) and Canada uses 50 x 70 mm.
How big should my head be in a passport photo?
For 35 x 45 mm photos the head, from chin to the top of the hair, is usually 32 to 36 mm. For US 2 x 2 inch photos it is 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm).
What background colour do passport photos need?
Almost always plain white, off white or light grey with no shadows or patterns. Take the photo against a plain light wall: many offices, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia, reject photos with a digitally replaced background.
Can I edit the background of a passport photo?
For most passports, no. US, UK, Canadian and Australian guidance, among others, rejects digitally altered photos, and a changed background counts. Some ID cards and application forms accept it, so check the rules for your document. The table shows what we know for each one.
Can I make a passport photo at home?
Yes. Take a front facing photo against a plain light wall in even daylight, then use the passport photo maker to fit your head to the official size and print a 4 x 6 sheet.
Are these sizes official?
They follow the published guidance for each document, but rules change. Always check the latest official requirements before you submit.