"Passport size" means different things in different countries. In India it is 3.5 x 4.5 cm; for a US passport or an OCI card it is 2 x 2 inches. Here are the official sizes, the head size each one asks for, and the background colour, checked against the official sources on 26 October 2026.
What is the passport size photo size in India?
35 mm wide and 45 mm high (3.5 x 4.5 cm), in colour, on a plain white background. At 300 DPI that is 413 x 531 pixels. Black and white photos and computer printouts are not accepted on the paper passport form (Passport Seva instructions).
If you apply in person at a Passport Seva Kendra, you do not need a photo: it is taken at the appointment.
Which size does each country ask for?
| Document | Size | Pixels at 300 DPI | Head size | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India passport (paper form) | 35 x 45 mm | 413 x 531 | Full face, front view | White |
| US passport and visa | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | 600 x 600 | 25 to 35 mm, chin to top of hair | White or off-white |
| Indian visa and OCI | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | 600 x 600 | 25 to 35 mm | Plain light |
| UK passport | 35 x 45 mm | 413 x 531 | 29 to 34 mm, chin to crown | Cream or light grey |
| Schengen visa (Germany) | 35 x 45 mm | 413 x 531 | 32 to 36 mm (70 to 80%) | Plain light, ideally grey |
| Canada passport | 50 x 70 mm | 591 x 827 | 31 to 36 mm, chin to crown | White or light |
| UAE passport | 35 x 45 mm | 413 x 531 | Face 70 to 80% of the photo | White |
Sources: US State Department, OCI photo specification, GOV.UK, German Foreign Office, Government of Canada and ICP UAE. Rules change, so check the form you are filling in.
How do I make a passport size photo at home?
- Take a photo straight on, in daylight, against any wall. Keep your whole face and the top of your hair in the picture, with a neutral expression and eyes open.
- Open the free Passport Photo Maker and pick your document.
- It replaces the background, scales your head to the rule and gives you one photo, or a sheet to print.
Ready-made pages: white background (India), US 2x2, Indian visa and OCI, UK, Schengen, Canada and UAE.
How many passport photos fit on a 4 x 6 print?
- 35 x 45 mm: 8 on a 4 x 6 inch print, 30 on A4.
- 2 x 2 inch: only 2 on 4 x 6 with room to cut, so use A4 (15 copies).
- 50 x 70 mm: 2 on 4 x 6, 12 on A4.
The print sheet page lays them out with cut lines. Print at 100% (actual size), with fit to page switched off.
Can I make a passport photo with ChatGPT or Gemini?
You can make a tidy, passport-style portrait for an informal ID card or a profile with a prompt like this:
Turn the attached photo into a passport-style portrait: head and shoulders, facing the camera, neutral expression, eyes open, even soft light, plain white background. Keep my face exactly as it is in the photo, with no retouching. Square crop.
Do not use an AI-edited photo for a passport or visa. Official photos must be real, recent and unedited, and an AI model can change small features of a face. For those, use the Passport Photo Maker, which only replaces the background and crops; it never changes your face.
What file size does an online form need?
That depends on the form: the Indian visa form takes a square JPG of 10 KB to 300 KB, and exam and job forms often set their own limits. The Photo and Signature Resizer sets an exact size and a KB range in one step.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3.5 x 4.5 cm the same as 35 x 45 mm? Yes. Both are the Indian passport size photo: 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high.
Is a 2 x 2 inch photo the same as 51 x 51 mm? Yes, near enough: 2 inches is 50.8 mm, which forms round to 51 mm.
Can a passport size photo have a blue background? Not for most passports and visas, which ask for white or another plain light colour. Some schools and offices ask for light blue; the Passport Photo Maker offers it for those.
Do I need to smile in a passport photo? No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open.
Coming soon
