How to Make a Passport Size Photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm) Online for Free
Many forms in India and elsewhere ask for a "passport size photo". In India that usually means 3.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm tall. You do not always need a studio: for an online form you can make one from a good phone photo in a minute.
What size is a passport size photo?
- On paper: 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm in India, the UK and many other countries. The US uses 2 by 2 inches (5.1 by 5.1 cm), which is square.
- In pixels: printed at 300 dots per inch, 3.5 by 4.5 cm is 413 by 531 pixels.
- File size: depends on the form. Many accept anything under 100 or 200 KB.
Make it in four steps
- Open the passport size photo preset.
- Add your photo. It is cropped evenly from the centre to 413×531 pixels and saved as a JPG.
- If your form has a KB limit, type it into Target size (KB), for example 50 or 100.
- Download the photo and upload it, or print it.
How to take a good photo at home
- Background: stand about half a metre in front of a plain white or very light wall, so your shadow does not fall on it.
- Light: face a window in daylight. Avoid the ceiling light alone, which makes shadows under the eyes.
- Camera: ask someone else to hold the phone at your eye level, about one to one and a half metres away. Selfies distort the face.
- Pose: look straight at the camera, keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed, and keep both ears visible if you can.
- Framing: leave space above your head and include your shoulders. The tool crops from the centre, so keep your face in the middle of the frame.
Printing passport photos at home or a shop
To print, place several copies of the 413×531 pixel photo on a 4 by 6 inch (10 by 15 cm) photo layout, which holds six to eight photos, and print it at 300 DPI at any photo shop. Make sure the printer does not "fit to page", or the photos will come out the wrong size. Measure one printed photo with a ruler before cutting the rest.
Is a home-made photo accepted for a passport?
For an Indian passport application, the photo is usually taken at the Passport Seva Kendra on the day of your appointment, so you do not need to upload one. For visas and other countries, rules are strict about background colour, head size and lighting, and some require a studio photo. For exam forms, ID cards, college forms and most job portals, a careful home-made photo is normally fine. When in doubt, follow the instructions in your form.
Frequently asked questions
What is passport size photo size in pixels?
At 300 DPI, 3.5 by 4.5 cm is 413 by 531 pixels.
What background colour should a passport photo have?
White or a very light colour is the safest choice for most Indian forms. Some visas ask for a specific colour, so check the instructions.
How many passport photos fit on a 4x6 print?
Usually six or eight, depending on the gap you leave between them for cutting.
Use the free passport photo preset. It crops and resizes on your device.