Passport Photo Dimensions and Aspect Ratio — Country-by-Country Guide

Every country has specific requirements for passport photos — not just the overall size, but the ratio, resolution, background color, and face coverage. Getting the aspect ratio wrong means the photo is rejected at the counter, and you have to start over.

Use the free aspect ratio calculator to verify your photo's ratio, or to calculate the exact pixel dimensions needed for your country's passport photo size at a specific DPI. Enter the physical dimensions (width and height) and get the ratio immediately.

US Passport Photo Requirements

The United States requires a 2×2 inch (51×51mm) square passport photo. This is a perfect 1:1 aspect ratio. The face must occupy 1–1⅜ inches (25–35mm) of the 2-inch height — roughly 70–80% of the photo height.

Digital requirements: For online applications (US passport renewal), the photo must be at least 600×600 pixels and no larger than 1200×1200 pixels — confirming the 1:1 ratio in pixels. JPEG format only.

Common rejection reasons for US passport photos:

• Face too small or too large (not within the 70-80% height guideline)
• Photo not square (common when printing from a phone camera's 4:3 default)
• Shadows on the background or face
• Glasses (no longer permitted as of 2016)
• Photo taken more than 6 months ago

Use the 1:1 preset on the free aspect ratio calculator to crop your photo to a square, then ensure it meets the face coverage requirement before printing or uploading.

UK Passport Photo Requirements

The UK requires a 35×45mm photo. This gives an aspect ratio of 35:45, which simplifies to 7:9. It is taller than it is wide — a portrait rectangle, unlike the US square.

To verify this with the free aspect ratio calculator: enter 35 as width, 45 as height — result is 7:9 (or expressed as width:height, the image is 7 units wide by 9 units tall).

UK requirements in pixels (for digital use): At 300 DPI, 35×45mm at 300 DPI = 413×531 pixels. At 600 DPI: 827×1063 pixels.

Face coverage: The face and crown of the head (without hat) must be between 29–34mm of the 45mm height — approximately 64–75% of the photo height. The face must be centered left/right.

UK passport photos must have a plain cream or light grey background, unlike the US requirement for a plain white background.

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Canadian Passport Photo Requirements

Canada requires a 50×70mm passport photo. This gives a 5:7 aspect ratio. Like the UK, it is a portrait rectangle — taller than wide.

Enter 50 and 70 into the free aspect ratio calculator: the ratio simplifies to 5:7.

Face coverage: The face height (chin to crown of head) must be between 31–36mm of the 70mm photo height — approximately 44–51% of the total photo height. This is a lower face-coverage percentage than the US or UK because the Canadian photo is taller relative to the face.

Canadian passport photos must have a plain white or off-white background. Photos cannot be digitally manipulated or altered — they must be original, unedited photographs.

Indian Passport Photo Requirements

India requires a 35×45mm passport photo — the same dimensions as the UK. The ratio is 7:9 (7 wide by 9 tall, portrait rectangle).

For online passport applications in India (via the Passport Seva portal), photos must be uploaded as JPEG files, 10KB to 1MB, with the image cropped to show the face from below the chin to above the head, centered.

Key requirements:

• White background only
• Both ears visible (for adults)
• No head coverings (religious head coverings allowed with a signed declaration)
• Eyes open and looking directly at the camera
• Mouth closed, neutral expression
• No spectacles or colored lenses

How to Crop Your Photo to the Correct Passport Size

Step 1: Find your country's aspect ratio. Use the table in this guide, or enter your country's dimensions into the free aspect ratio calculator to get the ratio (US: 1:1, UK/India: 7:9, Canada: 5:7).

Step 2: Crop your photo. In any photo editor (Lightroom, Apple Photos, Snapseed, even Google Photos), set the crop ratio to match your target. For US: set to 1:1. For UK/India: set to a custom ratio of 35:45 or 7:9. Position the crop so the face meets the coverage requirements.

Step 3: Export at the correct resolution. For printing at 300 DPI:

• US 2×2 in: export at 600×600 pixels minimum
• UK 35×45mm at 300 DPI: 413×531 pixels
• Canada 50×70mm at 300 DPI: 591×827 pixels

Use the free aspect ratio calculator to double-check: enter your export dimensions and confirm the ratio matches your country's requirement before printing or uploading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aspect ratio is a US passport photo?

A US passport photo is 2×2 inches — a perfect 1:1 square. In pixels, the minimum size for digital use is 600×600 pixels and the maximum is 1200×1200 pixels. The face must cover between 70–80% of the photo's height from chin to crown.

Can I take a passport photo with my phone?

Yes, as long as the photo meets the technical requirements: correct size and ratio, plain white or required background color, correct face coverage, good lighting without shadows, and neutral expression with eyes open. Most countries now accept digital passport photos taken on a phone, but the specific requirements (size, face coverage, background) must be met exactly.

What size should a passport photo be in pixels?

For the US, a passport photo should be 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels (1:1 ratio) for digital use. For printing at 300 DPI: US 2×2 in = 600×600 px. UK 35×45mm = 413×531 px. Canada 50×70mm = 591×827 px. India 35×45mm = 413×531 px (same as UK). Always verify with the official government passport portal for the most current requirements.