Passport photo size requirements — all countries (2026)
Every country has its own exact photo format. Using the wrong size or head proportion is one of the most common reasons applications get delayed or rejected. This table summarizes the official specifications we've verified for the documents we support — click a country for the full guide and the free in-browser maker.
| Country / document | Photo size | Head (chin → crown) | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 25–35 mm | White or off-white |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm (print) | 29–34 mm | Plain light-coloured (light grey or cream preferred) |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ in) | 31–36 mm | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Australia | 35–40 mm wide × 45–50 mm high | 32–36 mm | Plain white or light grey |
| India | 45 × 35 mm (Passport Seva format) — or 51 × 51 mm (2×2 in) for some channels | 32–38 mm | Plain white |
| China (visa) | 33 × 48 mm (photo) | 28–33 mm | White or close to white |
| Japan | 35 × 45 mm (borderless) | 32–36 mm | Plain, light-coloured — white recommended |
| Germany | 35 × 45 mm (biometric) | 32–36 mm | Monochromatic, light (no shadows) |
| France | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Light, plain (light grey/blue accepted; no dark background) |
| Schengen Visa | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Light background (white or light grey/blue) |
The two main formats
Most of the world — the UK, EU/Schengen, Australia, Japan, India — uses the 35×45 mm portrait format (the ICAO standard). The United States and some consular applications use a square 51×51 mm (2×2 in) format. Canada is the outlier with a large 50×70 mm format.
The proportions matter as much as the size: each country defines how much of the photo your head should fill. That's why we show a live head-height check for every country.
Which size do you need?
Pick your country from the table, make your photo with the free maker, and download both the digital file and a print sheet. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to take a passport photo at home.