Getting your passport photo wrong can delay your application or result in rejection. Every country has specific requirements for passport photo dimensions, background color, head size, and file format. This guide covers the standard passport photo sizes for the US, UK, India, and other major countries — plus how to resize any photo to meet those requirements for free.
Passport Photo Size Requirements by Country
| Country | Size (mm) | Size (px at 300dpi) | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 51 × 51 mm | 600 × 600 px | White |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | Cream/White |
| India | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | White |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm | 591 × 827 px | White |
| Australia | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | White/Off-white |
| European Union (Schengen) | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | White/Light grey |
Always verify requirements with the official government website for your passport application. Requirements can change, and incorrect photos will lead to rejection.
US Passport Photo Size Requirements
The United States requires a 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) square passport photo. At 300 DPI (standard print resolution), this equals 600 × 600 pixels. Key requirements include:
- Plain white or off-white background
- Head must be between 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head
- Eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera
- Neutral expression or natural smile
- No glasses (as of 2016)
- Taken within the last 6 months
How to Resize a Photo for Passport Online — Free
You can resize any photo to passport dimensions using the free Image Resizer at imgresizr.com:
- Go to imgresizr.com and open the Resize tool.
- Upload your photo.
- Enter the target pixel dimensions for your country (e.g., 600 × 600 for US, 413 × 531 for UK/India).
- Disable aspect ratio lock to allow non-square resizing.
- Click Resize Image and download.
Use the Crop tool first to crop your photo to the correct aspect ratio, then resize to the exact pixel dimensions. This gives you full control over what's included in the frame.
Resize Your Passport Photo — Free
Free, instant, and 100% private — your images never leave your device.
Open Image Resizer →Passport Photo File Size and Format
For digital passport applications, most government portals require:
- File format: JPG (JPEG) — PNG is sometimes accepted but JPG is universally supported
- File size: Typically between 20 KB and 240 KB (varies by country's portal)
- Color depth: Full color (24-bit)
- Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI for print, 72 DPI is fine for digital-only submissions
If your file is too large, use imgresizr's free Image Compressor to reduce the file size to meet the portal's requirements without re-shooting.
Common Passport Photo Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an old photo taken more than 6 months ago
- Non-white or patterned background
- Incorrect head size relative to the frame
- Wearing glasses, hats, or head coverings (unless for religious reasons)
- Heavy shadows on the face or background
- Wrong image dimensions or file size
Using the right tools and following the guidelines above, you can prepare a compliant passport photo at home for free — saving you the cost of a photo studio or passport photo booth.