How to Make a Passport Photo at Home
Passport photos are one of those small bureaucratic tasks that cost far more than they should. A studio charges for five minutes of work, and if the form needs a different size, you go back and pay again. This tool crops any decent photo to the exact millimetre dimensions required — India's 35×45mm, America's 2×2 inches, Schengen, China, Canada — at true 300 DPI, and can lay out a printable sheet of copies for any photo shop to run off.
Take or upload a photo
Front-facing, neutral expression, plain light background, even lighting with no harsh shadows behind you.
Position and crop
Drag the photo and zoom until your head fits the guide oval. That framing matches what most authorities expect.
Download or print
Get a single photo at exact size, or generate a 4x6 inch sheet of copies to take to any print shop.
What Makes a Photo Get Rejected
Rejections are almost never about the crop — that part this tool handles exactly. They are about the photo itself, and the same handful of problems come up over and over: shadows on the face or behind the head, a patterned or coloured background, glare on glasses, a slight smile, hair covering the eyes, or the head being too large or too small in the frame.
Take the photo in soft, even, front-on light— near a window on an overcast day is ideal, and direct sun or a bare flash is the worst thing you can use. Stand a good arm's length from a plain white or light grey wall so your body does not cast a shadow onto it. Face the camera squarely, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible.
The head-size rule matters more than people realise. Most authorities want the head to occupy roughly 70–80% of the image height, with a small margin above the hair. The guide oval in this tool is drawn to that proportion — if your head fills it comfortably, your crop is in the accepted range. Requirements do vary by country and can change, so check the official specification for your specific application before submitting.
Standard Photo Sizes
| Country / Use | Size | Also Used For |
|---|---|---|
| India | 35 × 45 mm | Passport, visa, PAN, Aadhaar, most application forms |
| United States | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) | Passport, visa, green card - square format |
| UK & Schengen | 35 × 45 mm | Passport, EU visa applications |
| Stamp size (India) | 20 × 25 mm | Small forms, exam applications, ID cards |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a passport photo for free?
Upload a clear front-facing photo, choose your country's size, position your head inside the guide oval, and download. You can also generate a printable sheet of copies.
What size is an Indian passport photo?
35 × 45 mm. The same size is used for Indian visas, PAN card applications, Aadhaar and most official forms, which is why it is the default here.
What size is a US passport photo?
2 × 2 inches, which is 51 × 51 mm - a square format, unlike most other countries. Select US Passport from the dropdown to get exactly that.
Will my photo be accepted by the authorities?
The dimensions and resolution produced here are exact. Acceptance depends on the photo itself - lighting, background, expression and head size. Follow the guidance above and check your country's official specification.
What background should the photo have?
Plain white or very light grey, evenly lit, with no shadow behind your head. Stand an arm's length away from the wall so your body does not cast one.
How do I print passport photos at home?
Generate the 4x6 inch print sheet, which tiles multiple copies with cutting guides. Print it as a standard 4x6 photo - at home or at any print shop - and cut along the lines.
What DPI should a passport photo be?
300 DPI is the standard for print and what most authorities require. Use 600 for maximum quality, or 150 only if the photo is for a digital upload where file size is capped.
Can I use a selfie?
It is not ideal. Phone front cameras distort facial proportions at close range, and holding the phone yourself makes it hard to get square framing. Have someone else take it from a metre or two away with the rear camera.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything happens inside your browser - your photo is never uploaded to any server, never stored, and never seen by anyone. That matters for a document photo.
Can I wear glasses?
Many countries now prohibit glasses in passport photos entirely, and almost all reject any glare or reflection on the lenses. The safest approach is to remove them.
How big should my head be in the photo?
Roughly 70 to 80 percent of the image height for most countries, with a small margin above the hair. The guide oval is drawn to that proportion.
Is this passport photo maker really free?
Completely free, with no limits, no watermark, no signup and no premium wall. Everything runs in your browser, so there are no server costs to pass on.
Last updated: July 11, 2026 · FlipMyFormat Passport Photo Maker
Written and maintained by the FlipMyFormat team