How to Make a Passport Size Photo Online (Free)
Short answer
Take a sharp, front-facing photo against a plain light wall, then open our passport size photo maker, pick your country size and download the photo or a 4×6 print sheet. Common sizes: India 35×45 mm (630×810 px for online forms), US 2×2 in, Canada 50×70 mm, UK 35×45 mm. Always check the official rules before you submit.
Photo booths and studios charge for something you can do at home with a phone, a window and a free tool. The hard part is not the camera. It is getting the size, head position and background exactly right, because passport offices reject photos that miss the rules.
What size is a passport photo?
| Country | Printed size | Key rules (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| India | 35 × 45 mm | ICAO-style: colour, white background, face about 80–85% of the photo; online uploads 630 × 810 pixels |
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | Head 1 to 1⅜ in from chin to top of head, white or off-white background, no glasses, taken in the last 6 months |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm | Head 31–36 mm from chin to crown, plain white or light background, taken in the last 6 months |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm | Plain cream or light grey background; digital photos for online applications have their own pixel minimums |
These are summaries from the official pages listed in the sources. Visa photos can differ from passport photos even for the same country.
How do I take a good passport photo at home?
- Light: face a window in daylight. Avoid overhead lamps that cast shadows under the eyes, and turn off the flash.
- Background: stand about half a metre in front of a plain white or light wall so your shadow does not fall on it.
- Camera: ask someone to hold the phone at eye level about 1 to 1.5 metres away. Selfies distort the face and are often rejected.
- Pose: look straight at the lens, neutral expression, mouth closed, both ears visible if possible, hair away from the eyes. Remove glasses unless the rules allow them.
- Clothes: wear something that contrasts with the background. Religious head coverings are usually allowed if the full face is visible.
How do I resize the photo to passport size?
Open the passport size photo maker, choose your photo and the country preset. The tool detects your face, scales the head to the right proportion and can make the background plain white on your device. You can fine-tune with the image cropper if you want manual control. Our guide on removing a background explains how background replacement works and its limits; some offices do not allow digitally altered photos, so a real plain wall is always best.
How do I print passport photos cheaply?
Download the 4×6 inch print sheet, which fits several photos, and print it as a standard photo print at a pharmacy or photo kiosk. Print at 100% scale ("actual size"), not "fit to page", or the photos will come out the wrong size. Measure one with a ruler before you cut.
Uploading a passport photo online
Online portals set file limits as well as pixel sizes. India's ICAO guidelines ask for 630 × 810 pixels. Other forms ask for a maximum file size such as 50 KB or 100 KB; use compress image to 20 KB to hit an exact limit without changing the pixel size. JPG is the usual format; see PNG vs JPG vs WebP and reducing image size.
Why are passport photos rejected?
- Shadows on the face or background.
- Head too small, too large or tilted.
- Blurry, grainy or over-filtered images (beauty filters are not allowed).
- Glasses with glare, or eyes not clearly visible.
- Photo older than the allowed period.
Disclaimer: this is general how-to information. ViralScopeHub is not responsible for rejected applications, portal rules or outcomes; official requirements change, so always check the current rules from the issuing authority before you submit.
Last updated: October 16, 2026, 9:13 AM ET. Reviewed against the sources listed below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passport size photo size for India?
35 × 45 mm printed. For online applications, ICAO-compliant guidelines published by Indian missions specify 630 × 810 pixels with a white background.
What size is a US passport photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head measuring 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head.
Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
Yes, if someone else takes it at eye level in even light against a plain wall. Selfies are often rejected because of distortion.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
For US passports, no, except in rare medical cases. Many other countries advise removing them to avoid glare. Check your country's rules.
Is it free to make a passport photo here?
Yes. The tool is free and runs in your browser; you only pay if you choose to print.
