Passport Photo Size in India - Complete Dimensions Guide
Everything you need to know about Indian passport photo dimensions. Standard size is 35×45mm for Indian passport applications.
If you are preparing a fresh passport application, renewal, or a document upload that needs the Indian passport standard, the safest target is the updated 35×45mm portrait format with the face properly centered. This guide breaks down the size in inches, millimeters, centimeters, and pixels so you can match the requirement without guessing or relying on vague printer settings.
We review this page regularly when government specifications or portal rules change.
Continue Reading
How we keep this guide updated
We review this guide when Passport Seva, UIDAI, NSDL, embassy portals, or official document specifications change. We also revise examples and FAQs based on common user errors.
Indian Passport Photo Size
The numbers below represent the standard Indian passport photo format. When you print or crop the photo, all four values should agree with one another, because a mismatch between pixels and final print size is one of the most common reasons for poor results.
A 35×45mm portrait photo keeps one consistent standard from digital upload to print output. That consistency matters when you want one clean image for multiple forms.
Complete Size Specifications
Think of the passport photo as a portrait frame with enough room around the head and shoulders to meet biometric expectations. The final file can be used digitally or printed, but the base geometry stays the same. If the width and height do not match exactly, the image will no longer be a true passport-size photo.
The easiest check is to look at the crop before you think about file size. If the head is centered and the shoulders are visible, you are already much closer to the correct standard.
| Unit | Width | Height | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inches | 1.38 inches | 1.77 inches | 0.78:1 (Portrait) |
| Millimeters | 35 mm | 45 mm | 0.78:1 (Portrait) |
| Centimeters | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 0.78:1 (Portrait) |
| Pixels | 630 px | 810 px | 0.78:1 (Portrait) |
| File Size | 10 KB | 250 KB | JPEG only |
Why 35×45mm?
The 35×45mm portrait format is the current Indian passport standard. This size is used because:
- Face visibility: Portrait format ensures proper face coverage (80–85%) while including shoulders
- Biometric compatibility: Works well with modern facial recognition systems
- International alignment: Matches modern ICAO biometric framing used globally
- Standard paper: Fits efficiently on 4R and 6R photo paper for printing
In practical terms, this size gives the authorities a clean, consistent face area while keeping the file easy to reproduce in print shops and on online portals. If you are comparing it with other countries, the main thing to remember is that India now uses a portrait format.
For home printing, this rectangular shape is easy to align when your source crop already matches the final format.
International Size Comparison
| Country/Region | Size | Millimeters | Centimeters | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India 🇮🇳 | 35×45mm | 35×45mm | 3.5×4.5cm | 0.78:1 |
| USA | 2×2 inches | 2×2 inch square | 5.1×5.1cm | 1:1 |
| UK | 45×35mm | 45×35mm | 4.5×3.5cm | 1.29:1 |
| Schengen | 35×45mm | 35×45mm | 3.5×4.5cm | 0.78:1 |
| Canada (Large Format) | 50×70mm | 50×70mm | 5×7cm | 0.71:1 |
| Australia | 35×45mm | 35×45mm | 3.5×4.5cm | 0.78:1 |
Note: India uses 35×45mm for passport applications, while USA uses 2×2 inches. Other countries use their own standards.
This comparison is useful if you are applying for multiple documents at once. For example, a photo made for an Indian passport may not fit US, UK, or Canada requirements because those systems expect different proportions, pixel rules, and crop placement.
Face Size Requirements
Within the 35×45mm photo, your face must meet specific positioning requirements:
Our tool automatically positions your face correctly within these parameters.
These measurements matter because they help the photo remain readable after printing, scanning, or uploading. A face that is too small can look lost in the frame, while a face that is too large may cut off the hairline or reduce the visible background margin.
If the eyes sit too low or too high, the image can still look good on screen but fail the actual document check. Centering the eyes is one of the easiest ways to keep the photo feeling correct.
Digital vs Print Dimensions
Digital Photos
- Dimensions: 630×810 pixels
- Resolution: 300+ DPI
- File Format: JPEG only
- File Size: 10KB - 250KB for Passport Seva
- Color Space: sRGB
Used for online passport renewal, e-visa, government portals
Print Photos
- Dimensions: Exactly 35mm x 45mm
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
- Paper: Photo paper 180-200 GSM
- Finish: Glossy, Semi-Matte, or Matte
- Print Scale: 100% (Actual Size)
Used for physical passport applications, office submissions
The important thing is to keep the shape consistent. A digital image may use pixels, but the printed version still needs to measure exactly 35×45mm. If you export the correct portrait file and print it at actual size, the digital and physical versions will stay aligned.
This is why a single master file is so useful. Once the crop is right, you can reuse the same image for uploads, reprints, and backup copies without starting over from scratch each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passport photo size in India in inches?
The standard passport photo size in India is 35×45mm, which is approximately 1.38 × 1.77 inches. This is the official size required for Indian passport applications.
What is passport photo size in cm?
In centimeters, the Indian passport photo size is 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm. This equals 35 mm × 45 mm.
What is the passport photo size in pixels?
For Passport Seva digital upload, Indian passport photos should be exactly 630×810 pixels in JPEG format.
Is 2×2 inch same as 35×45mm?
No, these are different sizes. 2×2 inch equals 2×2 inch square square format, while Indian passport applications now require 35×45mm portrait format.
Can I use 35×45mm photo for Indian passport?
Yes. Indian passport applications now require 35×45mm photos under the updated ICAO standard.
What size photo paper should I use?
Use 4R (4x6 inch) or 6R photo paper. These standard sizes can fit 4-8 passport photos per sheet with cutting guides.
Is the size same for passport renewal?
Yes, the same 35×45mm size is required for both fresh passport applications and passport renewals.
What percentage of photo should face cover?
Your face should cover 80–85% of the photo frame under current Indian passport guidance.
Do online and print photos need same dimensions?
Yes, the same portrait ratio applies. Digital uploads should be 630×810 pixels, and print size should be exactly 35×45mm.
What if my photo is slightly smaller or larger?
Photos must be exactly 35×45mm. Even small variations can cause rejection. Use our tool for precise sizing.
Are passport and visa photo sizes same?
No. Indian passport now requires 35×45mm, while US visa uses 2×2 inches (2×2 inch square). UK and Schengen also have their own standards.
How do I measure passport photo size?
Use a ruler with mm markings. Measure width at 35mm and height at 45mm for print photos.
Create Your 35×45mm Passport Photo Now
Our free tool automatically creates photos with exact 35×45mm dimensions and 630×810 pixel output.
Create Free Passport Photo →