TL;DR
Do not search for one universal passport-photo size. First identify whether you need a print or a digital upload, then check millimetres, pixels, file size, format and head framing. A correct aspect ratio alone is not proof that the file will pass a portal or manual review.
Separate the four meanings of size
When someone says a photo is the right size, they may mean the paper rectangle, the pixel canvas, the file weight or the face measurement. These are related but not interchangeable. A print can be scanned at many pixel dimensions, while an online portal may enforce pixels or file size instead.
Write the required values down in separate columns. If an instruction does not mention one, do not invent it.
Protect the aspect ratio before exporting
Crop to the required ratio before resizing. Stretching a portrait to fill a canvas changes facial proportions and can make a technically correct rectangle look unlike the original capture. If the source is too narrow or wide for a reasonable crop, retake the image.
Inspect the result at its final pixel dimensions, not only as a thumbnail.
Measure the face inside the final frame
Authorities may specify the distance from chin to crown or other reference points. The measurement is made inside the final image, so changing the crop can change compliance even when the outer canvas stays the same.
Use the selected document's guidance or template. A general percentage is only a visual starting point.
Know when print and digital outputs diverge
A print submission may require paper quality and exact millimetres. A digital submission may require JPEG, a pixel range, a file-size window, colour information or a photo code. Meeting one output does not guarantee the other.
Keep a high-quality working copy and compress only the final copy intended for the channel.
Use a source-backed export checklist
Before download, compare width, height, ratio, face position, file type, file size and editing limits with the official page for the exact application. Use the receiving portal's own checker when available.
IDPIC can prepare a document-specific output, but the receiving service makes the final decision.
Key data at a glance
| Country | Print size | Pixels (digital) | Head height | File limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | 600×600 px | 25–35 mm | ≤ 240 KB |
| United Kingdom | 35×45 mm | 600×750 px min | 29–34 mm | No strict limit |
| Canada | 50×70 mm | 591×827 px | 31–36 mm | ≤ 420 KB |
| China | 33×48 mm | 354×472 px | 28–33 mm | ≤ 40 KB (online) |
| Australia | 35×45 mm | 600×800 px | 32–36 mm | ≤ 500 KB |
| India | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | 350×350 px min | 25–35 mm | ≤ 300 KB |
| Germany | 35×45 mm | 413×531 px | 32–36 mm | ≤ 300 KB |
| Japan | 35×45 mm | 600×600 px min | 32–36 mm | ≤ 500 KB |
| South Korea | 35×45 mm | 413×531 px | 30–36 mm | ≤ 500 KB |
| Schengen visa | 35×45 mm | 413×531 px | 32–36 mm | ≤ 300 KB |
Frequently asked questions
What does passport-photo size actually mean?
It can mean the physical print rectangle, the pixel canvas, the file-size limit or the face measurement inside the frame. Check each item separately instead of treating one aspect ratio as proof of compliance.
Are DPI and pixels the same thing?
No. Pixels describe the digital image dimensions, while physical dimensions and DPI describe how an image is prepared for print. Follow the receiving channel's own instructions for whichever output you need.
Can I resize after cropping?
Yes, if you preserve the required aspect ratio and keep enough detail. Review the final file at full size to confirm that the face position, head framing and image quality still match the authority's examples.
What if one application needs a print and another needs a digital file?
Keep a clean, uncropped original and prepare separate outputs for each channel. Do not assume that a print measurement, pixel range or file format accepted in one application will work in another.
Example scenario
One portrait, two output files
A traveller needs a paper photo for one application and a digital upload for another. They keep the original capture, prepare the paper crop using the first authority's dimensions and export a separate JPEG for the online channel.
Sources & References
Public change history
Rewritten to separate print size, pixels, file properties and face framing.
Replaced broad country tables with source-backed examples and channel caveats.