While the standard size of 2 x 2 inches (5.1 cm x 5.1 cm) is widely accepted, passport photo specifications can vary by country and category.
1. Adults:
- Size: Most commonly 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), but check the specific country’s requirements.
- Head Size: Typically, the head (including hair) should occupy between 60-70% of the photo frame.
- Background: A plain, light-colored background (white, off-white, light blue, etc.) is preferred. Patterned or busy backgrounds are not recommended.
- Facial Expression: Neutral expression with closed mouth and eyes open directly facing the camera. Smiling is often not allowed.
- Headwear: Generally not allowed unless worn for religious or medical reasons. If permitted, it should not obscure the face.
- Glasses: Acceptable if worn daily, but they should not obscure the eyes or cast shadows on the face. Glare on the lenses should be avoided.
2. Minors (Children):
- Size: Usually the same as adults, but some countries might have slight variations. Verify with the specific country’s guidelines.
- Head Size: Similar to adults, occupying 60-70% of the frame.
- Background: Same as adults – plain, light-colored background is preferred.
- Facial Expression: Neutral expression with closed mouth and eyes open facing the camera. Smiling might be allowed for some younger children, depending on the country’s guidelines.
- Headwear: Generally follows the same rules as adults.
- Glasses: Same as adults, acceptable if worn daily but should not obscure the eyes or cast shadows.
3. Infants:
- Size: Typically the same as adults, but some countries might have specific requirements for infants. Always double-check.
- Background: Same as adults and other categories – plain, light-colored background is preferred.
- Facial Expression: Neutral expression is preferred, but slight variations might be acceptable depending on the infant’s age and ability to control facial expressions.
- Headwear: Generally follows the same rules as adults and other categories.
- Glasses: Not recommended unless medically necessary.
- Positioning: The infant must be positioned upright with the head facing the camera and eyes open (if possible). Another person (parent/guardian) might be allowed to hold the infant’s head upright but should not be visible in the photo.
Visas for Future Passport Photo Service
Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a passport photo that’ll work for your application. Simply take a photo of yourself using our guidelines, send it in, and we’ll edit it. We’ll send you your passport photos by post with free shipping. We deliver to Canada, the EU, the US, and the UK. For individuals outside of those countries, we can deliver your passport photos to your inbox, which you can print at home.
How it works
Take a photo.
We verify your photo.
Passport photos are delivered by post or email.
How to take your passport photo
Here’s how you can take passport photos at home to ensure that they’ll be high quality:
1.) Stand .5 meters or 2 feet from the wall. This ensures that there’s no shadow on your portrait.
2.) Place the camera 2 meters or 6 feet away from the subject. This will prevent distortion and give you a prettier picture!
3.) Have the camera on the same level as the subject’s face.
4.) Use plenty of lighting. Natural light is preferred but plenty of light in general is the best. Make sure it is even and doesn’t leave a shadow.
Benefits of using an online passport photo service
There are many choices when it comes to getting a passport photo, but here are reasons why you should go with an online agent:
- You don’t have to leave your house.
- We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
- We validate your photo – we check your passport photo to make sure it is in order.
- Save money with bulk orders – you can order many passport photos and save.
Why choose us
Visas for Future is a convenient service that can help you with your passport photo needs. Here are six reasons why you should choose Visas for Future for your passport photo services:
- Expertise: Our experts ensure that your passport photo meets the official requirements of your destination country.
- Convenience: You can upload your own photo or take one with your smartphone, and we will crop, resize, and enhance it to create a perfect biometric photo.
- Support: We’re visa and passport photo experts. You can ask us travel questions, which will make your trip-planning process easier.
- Speed: Your photos are shipped within a day!
- Unlimited retakes: You can also take as many photos as you want until you are satisfied with the result.
What is the standard passport photo size in centimeters for most countries?
There is no single “standard” passport photo size in centimeters (cm) that applies to all countries. However, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, recommends a size of 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm for passport photos. This size is used for passport photos in many countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, and more. However, some countries have different passport photo size requirements, such as:
- The United States and India use 2×2 inches or 5.1×5.1 cm.1
- Canada, which uses 5×7 cm.2
- China, which uses 33×48 mm or 3.3×4.8 cm.
- Brazil, which uses 5×7 cm.3
Here are some additional details to keep in mind:
- The head size in the photo must meet specific requirements, which are usually expressed as a percentage of the total photo size.
- Other requirements, such as background color, facial expression, and headwear, may also vary from country to country.
Many countries follow this recommendation, but it’s important always to check the specific requirements of the country you are applying to for a passport, as they may have different specifications.
How to resize a passport photo in cm?
Here are two ways to resize a passport photo to the standard 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm size:
Method 1: Using online tools:
- Search for “online image resize” in your browser. Several free online tools allow you to resize images in various units, including centimeters.
- Upload your photo to the chosen tool.
- Select “Custom Size” and enter the desired dimensions in centimeters: Height = 4.5 cm, Width = 3.5 cm.
- Some tools offer additional options like cropping and adjusting the aspect ratio. Ensure the aspect ratio remains 4.5:3.5 to maintain the correct proportions.
- Download the resized photo and verify its size in centimeters using your computer’s image properties or a free online tool.
Method 2: Using photo editing software:
- Open your photo in a photo editing software like Microsoft Paint, GIMP, or Photoshop.
- Use the “Crop” tool and adjust the selection area to match the desired dimensions (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm). Ensure you can view the ruler measurements in centimeters within the software.
- Once cropped, use the “Resize” function and input the desired width and height in centimeters. Make sure the “Constrain Proportions” or “Lock Aspect Ratio” option is selected to maintain the correct proportions (4.5:3.5).
- Save the resized photo in a format specified by the passport application (usually JPEG) and check its size properties to confirm it matches the requirements.
Important reminders:
- Always double-check the specific requirements of the country you are applying to for any potential deviations from the standard size.
- Ensure the final photo meets all other requirements like background color, head size, and facial expression specified by the country.
Where to get a passport photo?
If you need to get your passport photo taken, Visas for Future offers a convenient way to do it online. You can follow our step-by-step process and get your photo taken hassle-free.
- Click on “Get your Passport Photo now“
- Fill out the order form. Enter your name, email address, phone number, nationality, and your country of residence.
- Pay the application fee using a valid debit or credit card.
- Upload your photo. Ensure it is clear and with a neutral expression.
- Receive and download your Passport photo.
Sample Passport Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 3.5 cm 4.5 cm photo size?
The photo size of 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm is not standard and might not be accepted by most countries for official documents like passports. It’s crucial to verify the specific requirements of the country you’re applying to for accurate photo dimensions.
Is the passport photo 2×2 or 4×6?
No, a passport photo is not typically 2×2 or 4×6. The standard size depends on the country. It’s important to use the exact size your issuing authority requires to avoid delays in processing your passport application.
What size is passport size?
Passport photo size can vary slightly depending on the specific country.
How do I convert a photo to passport size?
Option 1: Online Tools:
a. Search for “online image resize” and choose a tool.
b. Upload your photo.
c. Set the size.
Option 2: Photo Editing Software:
a. Open your photo in editing software like Paint, GIMP, or Photoshop.
b. Use the “Crop” tool and set the selection area.
- U.S. Passport Photos. (2023). State.gov. Retrieved February 13, 2024,<https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html> [↩]
- Government of Canada. (2023). Passport photos – Canada.ca. Canada.ca. <https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/photos.html> [↩]
- Ministério Das Relações Exteriores. (2022). Ministério Das Relações Exteriores | Brazilian Passport. <https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-montreal/brazilian-passport#:~:text=PASSPORT%20APPLICATION%20FOR%20ADULTS%3A&text=Original%20and%20copy%20of%20the,the%20upper%20and%20lower%20sides).> [↩]
Ask a question
If you still have a question about this topic after reading the article, let us know and we'll update the article. Include your email if you want us to reply to you.
Send fan mail
We love to hear from you! If our article helped you in anyway, let us know and we'll share it with the team on our Friday meetings.
Cite this article
MLA Style
Vidania, Glen. "Passport photo size in cm." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-photo-size-in-cm/. Accessed on 26 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Vidania, Glen. "Passport photo size in cm." Visas For Future. September 26, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-photo-size-in-cm/.