VisaPicPro
Size Reference 50+ Countries

Passport Photo Size by Country (2026):
MM, CM & Pixels

Compare print dimensions and 300 DPI pixel equivalents for more than 50 countries, then confirm the exact document type before export.

By Prabir Sarkar
·
Reviewed July 19, 2026
·
12 min read
Passport photo prints in different proportions beside a ruler and measurement guide

Quick answer

There is no single worldwide passport photo size

Common formats include 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inches), 35 x 45 mm and 50 x 70 mm. At 300 DPI these are approximately 600 x 600, 413 x 531 and 591 x 827 pixels. Always select the issuing country and document type, because passport and visa sizes can differ.

Size
Country-specific
Print DPI
Usually 300
Background
Check authority
Face position
Centered, front view
Print
MM/CM/inches
Digital
Pixels + file rules
Resize a photo Check ICAO quality Check visa format Prepare correct size

Getting the wrong photo size is one of the top reasons passport applications get delayed. The problem? There is no single worldwide standard. The United States uses 2 x 2 inches, many European applications use 35 x 45 mm, and Canada commonly uses 50 x 70 mm. This guide compares dimensions in pixels, centimeters, millimeters and inches. Always confirm the current rule for the issuing country and document type before submitting. If you only need the US square format, use the focused 2x2 picture size guide.

Why Passport Photo Size Matters

Immigration authorities use automated scanning systems that check your photo against specific dimension requirements. If your photo is even 1-2mm off, the system flags it for manual review - which adds days or weeks to your application timeline.

Here is what can go wrong when the size is incorrect:

  • No Application rejected outright - some online systems refuse to accept photos that do not match the required pixel dimensions
  • No Cropped incorrectly - if you submit a 35 x 45mm photo for a US application, the processing system may auto-crop it, cutting off part of your head or chin
  • No Wasted money - an incorrectly sized print may need to be retaken and reprinted
  • No Travel delays - a rejected passport photo can add 2-6 weeks to processing times, potentially ruining travel plans

Quick Tip

Use VisaPicPro's passport photo maker to resize your photo for the selected country and document type. Select your country, upload your photo, and the tool crops and resizes everything for you - no manual calculations needed.

Complete Passport Photo Size Chart by Country

This table covers the most commonly requested passport and visa photo sizes. All pixel values are calculated at 300 DPI (the standard print resolution). Sizes marked with an asterisk (*) indicate the passport photo size differs from the visa photo size - check the notes column.

Country Size (mm) Size (inches) Size (pixels @300 DPI) Notes
United States 51 x 51 2 x 2 600 x 600 Same for passport & visa
United Kingdom 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 HMPO standard
India 51 x 51 2 x 2 600 x 600 White background only
Canada 50 x 70 1.97 x 2.76 591 x 827 Largest common size
Australia 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Germany 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Light gray BG allowed
France 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Schengen standard
Italy 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Schengen standard
Spain 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Schengen standard
Japan 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 MOFA standard
China 33 x 48 1.3 x 1.89 390 x 567 White BG, unique size
South Korea 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Brazil 51 x 51 2 x 2 600 x 600 White background
Mexico 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Argentina 40 x 40 1.57 x 1.57 472 x 472 Square, unique size
Nigeria 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Pakistan 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Blue BG for passport
Bangladesh 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Philippines 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Thailand 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Vietnam 40 x 60 1.57 x 2.36 472 x 709 White BG, larger size
Indonesia 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Red BG for some docs
Malaysia 35 x 50 1.38 x 1.97 413 x 591 Blue background
Singapore 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
UAE 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 UAE passport; service checks apply
Saudi Arabia 40 x 60 1.57 x 2.36 472 x 709 White background
Qatar 38 x 48 1.5 x 1.89 449 x 567 White background
Israel 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Turkey 50 x 60 1.97 x 2.36 591 x 709 White background
Russia 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White or light gray BG
South Africa 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Kenya 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Egypt 40 x 60 1.57 x 2.36 472 x 709 White background
New Zealand 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White or off-white
Colombia 30 x 40 1.18 x 1.57 354 x 472 Visa: 3 x 4cm
Netherlands 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Schengen standard
Ireland 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Poland 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Schengen standard
Portugal 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Schengen standard
Ukraine 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Taiwan 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Sri Lanka 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White or light blue BG
Nepal 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Ghana 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Cambodia 40 x 60 1.57 x 2.36 472 x 709 White background
Morocco 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 White background
Hong Kong 40 x 50 1.57 x 1.97 472 x 591 White background
Schengen Visa 35 x 45 1.38 x 1.77 413 x 531 Standard for 27 countries

The 4 Most Common Passport Photo Sizes

While there are many country-specific sizes, the vast majority of the world uses one of these four size standards:

COMMON FORMAT

35 x 45mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches)

The ICAO international standard. Used by the most countries worldwide.

Countries: UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Italy, Spain, Russia, and all 27 Schengen Zone countries

COMMON FORMAT

51 x 51mm (2 x 2 inches)

The square format used by the Americas and South Asia.

Countries: United States, India, Brazil, Colombia (visa)

COMMON FORMAT

50 x 70mm (1.97 x 2.76 inches)

The largest common passport photo size, used mainly by Canada.

Countries: Canada

COMMON FORMAT

33 x 48mm (1.3 x 1.89 inches)

China's unique specification, slightly narrower than the ICAO standard.

Countries: China

Understanding Pixels and DPI for Passport Photos

If you are submitting a digital passport photo - for an online application, e-visa, or DV lottery - you need to know the pixel dimensions, not just the physical size. Pixels and DPI are connected by a simple relationship:

Formula

Pixels = (mm 25.4) DPI

DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. For passport photos, 300 DPI is the standard for printed photos. Some countries accept 200 DPI for digital submissions, but 300 DPI produces sharper results and is universally accepted.

Common Sizes in Pixels (at 300 DPI)

Physical Size At 200 DPI At 300 DPI At 600 DPI
35 x 45mm 276 x 354 413 x 531 827 x 1063
51 x 51mm (2 x 2 in) 400 x 400 600 x 600 1200 x 1200
33 x 48mm 260 x 378 390 x 567 780 x 1134
50 x 70mm 394 x 551 591 x 827 1181 x 1654

US Digital Passport Photo Specs

The US State Department accepts digital photos between 600 x 600 pixels (minimum) and 1200 x 1200 pixels (maximum) for online passport applications. The file must be in JPEG format and between 240KB and 10MB. For the DV Lottery, the requirement is exactly 600 x 600 pixels.

How to Convert Between MM, Inches, CM, and Pixels

Here are the conversion factors you need to switch between measurement units for passport photos:

1

MM to Inches: Divide by 25.4. Example: 35mm 25.4 = 1.38 inches

2

Inches to MM: Multiply by 25.4. Example: 2 inches 25.4 = 50.8mm - 51mm

3

MM to CM: Divide by 10. Example: 45mm 10 = 4.5cm

4

MM to Pixels: (mm 25.4) DPI. Example: 35mm at 300 DPI = 413px

5

Pixels to MM: (pixels 25.4) DPI. Example: 600px at 300 DPI = 50.8mm

If math is not your thing, just use our free DPI converter tool to convert between any units instantly.

Digital Passport Photo Size Requirements by Country

When applying online, many countries have specific digital file requirements beyond just dimensions. Here are the most commonly searched ones:

US Passport & Visa Photo (B1/B2 Visa)

  • Dimensions: 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • Format: JPEG only
  • File size: 240KB to 10MB
  • Color: 24-bit color
  • Background: White or off-white
  • DV Lottery: Exactly 600 x 600 pixels, max 240KB

UK Passport Photo (Digital)

  • Minimum dimensions: 600 x 750 pixels
  • Format: JPEG
  • File size: Max 5MB
  • No filters or digital enhancements

India Passport Photo (Online Application)

  • Dimensions: 350 x 350 pixels (minimum)
  • Format: JPEG
  • File size: 10KB to 300KB
  • DPI: 200 minimum
  • Background: White only

Schengen Visa Photo

  • Physical: 35 x 45mm (print and attach to application)
  • Most Schengen applications still require printed photos
  • Some countries (Netherlands, Germany) accept digital uploads
  • If digital: Minimum 413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI

Common Passport Photo Size Mistakes to Avoid

1

Using US size (2 x 2) for a European application

The US uses 51 x 51mm while Europe uses 35 x 45mm. A 2 x 2 inch photo is too wide and too short for Schengen. The application will be returned.

2

Confusing passport size with visa size

In some countries (like China), the passport photo and visa photo use different dimensions. China's passport photo is 33 x 48mm but many visa applications require 35 x 45mm. Always verify which document you are applying for.

3

Wrong DPI causing blurry prints

A 600 x 600 pixel image printed at 150 DPI becomes 4 x 4 inches - way too large. The same image at 300 DPI prints at the correct 2 x 2 inches. Always set your printer to 300 DPI.

4

Cropping instead of resizing

Cropping a 35 x 45mm photo to make it 2 x 2 inches will cut off part of your head or chin. You need to retake the photo or use a tool that adjusts the crop and zoom together while maintaining proper head position.

5

Assuming "passport size photo" means the same everywhere

In everyday conversation, "passport size photo" can mean anything from 25 x 30mm (India) to 50 x 70mm (Canada). There is no universal "passport size." Always check the specific requirements for your country and document type.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard passport photo size in pixels?
It depends on the country and DPI. For the US, 2 x 2 inches at 300 DPI is 600 x 600 pixels. For European and Schengen countries, 35 x 45 mm at 300 DPI is 413 x 531 pixels. Always confirm the issuing authority's current requirements.
What size is a passport photo in cm?
Common formats include 5.1 x 5.1 cm for the United States, 3.5 x 4.5 cm for many European and Schengen applications, and 5 x 7 cm for Canada. Requirements can differ by document type, so check the issuing authority before submitting.
What DPI should a passport photo be?
Use 300 DPI when preparing a print unless the issuing authority specifies another value. Digital applications may specify pixel dimensions, file size and format instead of DPI, so follow the instructions for that form.
Is passport photo size the same worldwide?
No. Many applications use 35 x 45 mm, while the United States uses 2 x 2 inches and Canada commonly uses 50 x 70 mm. Passport and visa formats can also differ within one country. Verify the exact document type before exporting.
How do I convert passport photo size from mm to pixels?
Use the formula Pixels = (millimeters 25.4) DPI. At 300 DPI, 35 mm is approximately 413 pixels and 45 mm is approximately 531 pixels, so a 35 x 45 mm photo is approximately 413 x 531 pixels.
What is the US visa photo size for a B1/B2 visa?
The US B1/B2 visa photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). For a DS-160 digital upload, use a square JPEG between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels and follow the current State Department file-size instructions.

Create Your Passport Photo in the Correct Size

Select your country and our tool automatically crops and resizes your photo to the selected dimensions. One standard daily download is available; HD and print-ready exports require Pro.

Prepare Passport Photo

Related Articles

12 Reasons Your Passport Photo Got Rejected

The most common rejection reasons and how to fix each one.

Background Color Requirements by Country

White, blue, red, or gray? Requirements for 50+ countries.

How to Print Passport Photos at Home

Print 2x2 passport photos on 4x6 paper with the right DPI.

Take a Passport Photo with Your Phone

Step-by-step guide to getting a perfect photo at home.