Passport Photo Size by Country (2026): US, UK, EU, Canada
A US passport photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) with a head of 25–35 mm. The UK, the Schengen countries, Australia and many others use 35 × 45 mm, Canada 50 × 70 mm. The head size, measured from chin to the top of the head, matters as much as the photo size: it is the most common reason home-made photos are refused.
Sizes and head heights
| Document | Photo size | Head (chin to crown) | Pixels at 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States passport and visa | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 1–1 3/8 in (25–35 mm) | 600 × 600 |
| United Kingdom passport | 35 × 45 mm | 29–34 mm | 413 × 531 |
| Schengen visa and most EU passports (ICAO) | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm (70–80% of the height) | 413 × 531 |
| Canada passport | 50 × 70 mm | 31–36 mm | 591 × 827 |
| Australia passport | 35–40 × 45–50 mm | 32–36 mm | 413 × 531 (35 × 45) |
Digital photos for online applications
| Service | Pixels | File size | Other rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| US online renewal, visas, DV lottery | 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200, square | up to 240 KB | JPEG, sRGB colour, compression no more than 20:1 |
| UK online passport | at least 600 × 750 | 50 KB to 10 MB | plain light background |
| Canada online renewal | 1200 × 1800 to 3000 × 4500 (3:2 portrait) | 200 KB to 5 MB | head 45–50% of the photo height; straight from the camera, not a scan |
The US “no more than 20:1 compression” rule means a 600 × 600 photo should be at least about 53 KB (600 × 600 × 3 bytes ÷ 20). Over-compressed tiny files can be refused even though they are under 240 KB.
How to make one at home
- Stand in front of a plain white or light wall in even daylight, about 1.2 m (4 ft) from the camera, facing it squarely. Ask someone else to take the picture: arm’s-length selfies distort the face.
- Leave space above the head and include the shoulders. Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open; no glasses for US photos.
- Open the Passport Photo Maker, choose your document and drag the three markers to the top of your hair, your chin and the centre of your face. The tool scales the photo so the head lands in the middle of the allowed range.
- Download the digital file for online forms, and the 4 × 6 in sheet to print at any photo kiosk or at home at 100% (“actual size”).
Printing tips
- A standard 4 × 6 in (10 × 15 cm) photo print holds two 2 × 2 in photos or four to six 35 × 45 mm photos, and costs very little at pharmacies and photo kiosks.
- Print at 100% scale. “Fit to page” shrinks the photo and makes the head too small.
- Measure the printed photo with a ruler before cutting. A photo that is 1–2 mm off is often refused.
What is passport size photo in cm?
3.5 × 4.5 cm in most countries (UK, Schengen, Australia, India, Pakistan and many others). The US uses 5.1 × 5.1 cm (2 × 2 in) and Canada 5 × 7 cm.
What is 2×2 inches in pixels?
600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI, the size US online forms accept (anything from 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200).
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
Not in US photos (removed since 2016, except with a medical statement). The UK and others allow them only without glare or tinted lenses; removing them is the safest choice everywhere.
Can I edit or retouch my passport photo?
No. The US requires an unedited photo without filters; other countries also refuse altered photos. Cropping and resizing are fine.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State: Passport photos
- U.S. Department of State: Digital image requirements
- GOV.UK: Photos for passports, printed photos (UK Government Web Archive, July 2026)
- Government of Canada: Passport photo requirements
- Australian Passport Office: Photo guidelines
- ICAO photo guidelines, Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs (PDF)