Passport photos follow strict technical specifications that vary by country. Get them wrong and the application is rejected regardless of how good the photo looks. This guide covers the standard size requirements, how to prepare a print-ready layout on a standard 6×4 inch sheet, and what to check before printing at home.
Standard passport photo sizes by country
Most countries specify their passport photo dimensions in millimeters. Common standards:
- United States: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
- United Kingdom: 35×45 mm (portrait orientation)
- European Union (Schengen visa): 35×45 mm
- Australia: 35×45 mm
- Canada: 50×70 mm
- China: 33×48 mm
- India: 35×45 mm, sometimes 51×51 mm depending on document type
Always verify the exact specification for the specific document and issuing country before printing. Requirements can also specify head height as a percentage of total photo height, background color, and whether glasses are permitted.
Photo requirements beyond dimensions
Size is one requirement among several. A photo with correct dimensions will still be rejected if other requirements are not met:
- Background: plain white or off-white for most countries (US, UK, Schengen). Some countries permit light gray or light blue. No patterns, shadows, or objects in the background.
- Face position: centered, looking directly at the camera, neutral expression, mouth closed. Some countries also specify that the face must be within a specific percentage of the total photo height.
- Lighting: even illumination with no harsh shadows on the face or background. No flash reflections in glasses.
- Glasses: most countries now prohibit glasses in passport photos. Check the current requirement for your specific document.
- Recency: typically taken within the last six months. Do not use an old photo even if it meets all technical requirements.
Taking the photo
A modern smartphone camera is sufficient for passport photos. Key practices:
- Use natural light from a window facing you — avoid overhead lighting that creates shadows under the eyes and nose.
- Use a plain white wall or hang a white sheet as a background.
- Stand or sit approximately 1–1.5 meters from the background to avoid background shadows.
- Hold the camera at eye level or ask someone to take the photo — selfie angles distort the face geometry.
- Take multiple shots and choose the sharpest one with the most neutral expression.
Pixel requirements for print quality
For a photo to print sharply at passport size, it needs enough pixels to reach at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the output size. The calculation:
- US 2×2 inch at 300 DPI: 600×600 pixels minimum
- UK/EU 35×45 mm at 300 DPI: approximately 413×531 pixels
- Canada 50×70 mm at 300 DPI: approximately 591×827 pixels
Most smartphone photos at full resolution are far above these minimums — a 12-megapixel camera at 4032×3024 pixels has far more pixels than needed for a passport photo crop. The challenge is selecting the correct face region and resizing to the exact output dimensions.
Arranging photos on a print sheet
Photo labs and home printers typically use 6×4 inch (15×10 cm) photo paper. To avoid waste, passport photos are tiled on the sheet — usually 4–8 photos depending on size:
- US 2×2 inch photos: 4 photos on a 4×4 inch area of a 6×4 sheet, with margin
- UK 35×45 mm photos: 4–6 photos per 6×4 sheet depending on arrangement
The print layout needs to be prepared at 300 DPI for the full sheet. A 6×4 inch sheet at 300 DPI is 1800×1200 pixels. Each passport photo must be placed at its correct physical size within this canvas.
PhotoTools' passport photo tool automates this. Upload your photo, select the target country or custom dimensions, and the tool generates a print-ready 6×4 inch layout at 300 DPI with the correct number of copies tiled and centered. Download the output and send it to your printer or a photo lab.
Printing at home
Home inkjet printers can produce acceptable passport photos if:
- You print on photo paper (glossy or matte, depending on country requirements — US accepts both; UK prefers matte/satin)
- You print at the printer's maximum photo quality setting
- Your ink cartridges are not depleted — faded or streaked prints will be rejected
- You allow the print to dry completely before cutting, to avoid smearing
Cut with scissors along the printed border lines. A paper trimmer (guillotine cutter) produces cleaner straight edges and is worth using if you have one. Submit the photos flat — do not fold or staple them to the application form.
Submitting digitally
Many countries now offer online passport applications that accept a digital photo instead of a physical print. Common digital requirements:
- File format: JPEG
- File size: 100 KB – 10 MB (varies by country portal)
- Pixel dimensions: 600×600 minimum, often 1000×1000 or 900×1200
- Color space: sRGB
The face composition and background requirements are identical to the physical photo. Some portals include an automated face checker that will reject photos where the face is not centered, too small, or has a non-white background.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a passport photo be?
It varies by country: the US uses 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), while the UK, EU/Schengen, and Australia use 35×45 mm. Always confirm the exact specification for your document and issuing country before printing.
How many pixels does a passport photo need?
Enough to print at 300 DPI at the output size: about 600×600 px for a US 2×2 inch photo and roughly 413×531 px for a 35×45 mm photo. Most smartphone photos far exceed this once cropped.
Can I print passport photos at home?
Yes — use photo paper, the printer's maximum quality setting, fresh ink, and disable "fit to page" scaling so the photo prints at its exact physical size. Let it dry before cutting along the border.
How many passport photos fit on a 6×4 inch sheet?
Typically 4–8 depending on the size — for example four US 2×2 inch photos, or 4–6 UK 35×45 mm photos. A 6×4 inch sheet at 300 DPI is 1800×1200 pixels.