How to make a passport-size photo
- Take the photo: stand about a metre from a plain white or light wall, face the camera in even light, and leave space above your head.
- Tap Choose image above and pick the photo (JPG, PNG or iPhone HEIC).
- On Form presets, tap your form's preset, then Apply preset.
- Check the preview and the result line (it should say Meets the form's file rules), then Download result.
What each preset makes: tested
We ran our test portrait (a 26-megapixel photo against a plain wall) through the main presets:
| Preset | The form's rule | Our result |
|---|---|---|
| US visa / DV lottery | Square, 600×600 to 1200×1200 px, up to 240 KB | 600×600 px, 160 KB |
| India passport (Passport Seva) | 630×810 px (35×45 mm), 10–250 KB, white background | 630×810 px, 223 KB |
| Pakistan passport (DGIP) | 350×467 px, under 20 KB, plain white background | 350×467 px, 19.9 KB; white side bars, nothing cut |
| PPSC and other 3.5×4.5 cm forms | 3.5×4.5 cm with each form's KB limit | 413×531 px (3.5×4.5 cm at 300 DPI) |
| UK passport (online) | At least 600×750 px, 50 KB–10 MB, not cropped | Kept at full size, 2.66 MB |
Desktop Chromium, October 2026; each took under a second except the UK preset (4 seconds, because it keeps all 26 megapixels). KB limits are met under the stricter 1,000-byte count.
Most presets that set an exact shape trim your photo evenly from the edges to that shape, centred. Where the rules forbid cropping, the preset doesn't crop: the UK presets keep the photo's own shape and only check and adjust the file size, and the PPSC and Pakistan passport presets fit the whole photo into their frame and fill any gap with white. Every verified preset names the official source it was checked against.
What the tool can't fix
A preset gets the file right. The photo itself has to meet the rules too, and those are checked by a person or by face-detection software:
- Background: plain and light (white for many passports). Shadows behind your head are a common rejection.
- Head size and position: centred, facing the camera, with the head filling the share of the frame the form states. Leave space around your head in the original so the crop doesn't cut it.
- Expression and clothing: neutral expression, eyes open, and no glasses or hats unless the form allows them.
- Recency and editing: many forms, including the US visa, want a photo taken in the last 6 months, and retouched or filtered photos are a common reason for rejection.
Each country page lists its exact rules. For a form without a preset, use the Dimensions tab with the size from your form's instructions, tap Keep editing this result, then compress to its KB limit; resize in cm, mm or inches explains the conversion.
Printed passport photos
This tool makes the digital file a form uploads. Some passports need prints instead: Australia's, for example, must be printed by a photographer (see Australian passport photos), and Canada's online passport renewal needs the photographer's original digital file (see Canada, which also covers the visa and PR photo rules). Those pages explain what to do instead.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a passport photo?
There's no single size. The US uses 2×2 inches (600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels online), India 630×810 pixels, Pakistan 350×467 pixels, and many exam forms 3.5×4.5 cm. Use the preset for your form.
Can I make a passport photo from a selfie?
If it's front-facing, against a plain background, with space above your head, yes. A photo taken by someone else from about a metre away avoids the distortion of arm's-length selfies.
Does the tool remove or change the background?
No. It doesn't edit the photo itself. Take the picture against a plain, light wall.
Will my photo be accepted?
The preset meets the form's published file rules. Acceptance also depends on the photo itself: background, head position, expression and recency.
Why does the UK preset keep my photo at full size?
Because the UK rules forbid cropping and accept up to 10 MB. The preset only checks the size and warns if the photo is smaller than 600×750.
Can I print the result?
Most presets make files for online upload. For prints, ask a photo shop for the correct print size, or follow the country page's guidance.
Can I use an iPhone photo?
Yes. HEIC photos are converted automatically; the result is a JPEG.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. It's processed in your browser and saved to your device.