A single passport photo costs $10–15 at most pharmacies and photo shops. Worse, if the photo gets rejected (common with strict sizing or background rules), you pay again. With a smartphone and free online tools, you can create passport photos at home in minutes - and retake as many times as needed.
This guide covers the exact requirements for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Indian passports, plus a step-by-step process using free tools to get print-ready results.
Passport Photo Requirements by Country
| Country | Photo Size | Head Height | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 25–35 mm | White |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm | 29–34 mm | Plain white or light grey |
| EU / Schengen | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | White or light grey |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm | 31–36 mm | White or light grey |
| India | 35 × 45 mm | 25–35 mm | White or light grey |
| Australia | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | White |
Universal Rules (Most Countries)
- Face the camera directly - no tilting, no profiles
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- Both ears visible (for most countries)
- No glasses (US, UK, Canada, Australia, most EU)
- No head coverings (except religious exemptions with documentation)
- Photo taken within the last 6 months
- High resolution - no pixelation, no blur
What You Need
- Smartphone: Any modern smartphone camera is sufficient. iPhone 8 or newer, or equivalent Android.
- Background: A plain white wall, white door, or a white sheet pinned flat. No patterns, shadows, or visible textures.
- Lighting: Natural window light (face the window) or two desk lamps positioned at 45° angles. Avoid overhead-only lighting - it creates shadows under the eyes and chin.
- Tripod or stand (optional): Helps keep the camera stable. A stack of books works too.
Taking the Photo
Camera Setup
- Position the camera at eye level, 1–1.5 meters (3–5 feet) away
- Use the rear camera (higher resolution than selfie camera)
- Set a 3-second timer so you can get into position
- Enable portrait mode if available - but verify the background is not blurred
- Do NOT use flash - it creates red-eye and uneven lighting
Posing
- Stand 20–30 cm away from the wall (prevents shadow cast on background)
- Face directly forward - imagine a line from your nose to the camera lens
- Keep your shoulders level and relaxed
- Neutral expression: mouth closed, eyes open, natural (no forced frown)
- Remove glasses, hats, earbuds
- Hair pulled back from face - both ears should be visible
Take Multiple Shots
Take at least 5–10 photos and choose the best one. Check for: level head, even lighting, sharp focus, no blinks, white background with no shadows.
Editing: Background, Size & Crop
Step 1 - Fix the Background
Even a white wall may not be pure white in your photo. Use the white background tool to replace the background with solid white (RGB 255,255,255).
This step also fixes:
- Shadows on the wall behind you
- Slight off-white or cream-colored walls
- Wall textures or imperfections
Step 2 - Crop to Correct Proportions
Each country requires specific proportions. Using the image cropper:
- US: Crop to 1:1 ratio (square)
- UK/EU/India: Crop to 35:45 ratio (approximately 7:9)
- Canada: Crop to 50:70 ratio (approximately 5:7)
Position your head in the center. The top of your hair should be near the top of the frame, with some space above. Your chin should have space below it.
Step 3 - Resize to Final Dimensions
Use the image resizer to set the pixel dimensions for the intended print size:
- US (2×2 in at 300 DPI): 600 × 600 pixels
- UK/EU (35×45 mm at 300 DPI): 413 × 531 pixels
- Canada (50×70 mm at 300 DPI): 591 × 827 pixels
Printing at Home or a Kiosk
Home Printing
- Arrange multiple passport photos on a standard 4×6 inch canvas (fits 4 US passport photos or 4 UK/EU photos)
- Use glossy or semi-glossy photo paper
- Print at the highest quality setting
- Cut with a paper cutter for clean edges (scissors create wavy edges)
Photo Kiosk / Drugstore
If you do not have a photo printer:
- Save your passport photo as a high-quality JPEG
- Transfer to a USB drive or use the store's Wi-Fi upload
- Print as a 4×6 inch photo (arrange multiple photos on the canvas first)
- Cost: typically $0.25–0.50 for a 4×6 print vs $10–15 for a "passport photo" service
Common Rejection Reasons
Avoid these mistakes that cause passport photo rejections:
- Background not white enough: Off-white, cream, or grey backgrounds get rejected. Always use a white background tool.
- Head too large or too small: Head must occupy the specified percentage of the frame. Check your country's requirements.
- Shadows on face: Uneven lighting creates shadows. Use front-facing light sources.
- Photo too dark or overexposed: Take the photo near a window for natural, even lighting.
- Wearing glasses: Most countries no longer allow glasses in passport photos.
- Expression issues: Teeth showing, eyes closed, or exaggerated expression.
- Red-eye: Caused by flash. Use natural lighting instead.
- Photo older than 6 months: Officials can tell. Take a current photo.
Digital Passport Photo Submissions
Many countries now accept digital passport photo uploads for online applications:
- US: Upload JPEG, 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, file size 240 KB to 10 MB
- UK: Upload JPEG or PNG, minimum 600×750 pixels, max 10 MB
- India: Upload JPEG, 350×350 to 1000×1000 pixels, max 1 MB
- Canada: Upload JPEG, minimum 420×540 pixels, 100 KB to 5 MB
For digital submissions, you can skip printing entirely. Just ensure the photo meets the dimensional and file size requirements for your country's online application system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should a US passport photo be?
A US passport photo must be exactly 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The head height from chin to top of hair should be between 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm). The photo must have a plain white background.
Can I take my own passport photo at home?
Yes, you can take your own passport photo at home using a smartphone. Use a plain white background, ensure even lighting, face the camera directly with a neutral expression, and then crop to the required dimensions. Most passport offices accept home-taken photos if they meet specifications.
What background color is required for passport photos?
Most countries require a plain white or off-white background. The US, UK, Canada, and EU all require white. India accepts white or light grey. Always check your specific country's requirements before printing.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
Most countries require a neutral facial expression - mouth closed, no smile. A very slight natural smile may be acceptable in some countries, but open-mouth smiling or visible teeth will get your photo rejected in most cases.
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
As of 2016, the US State Department no longer allows glasses in passport photos. The UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries also prohibit glasses. Remove them before taking your photo to avoid rejection.
Save Money, Get Better Results
Making passport photos at home gives you control over the result. You can retake until perfect, print as many copies as needed, and the total cost is under $1 for photo paper - compared to $15 at a pharmacy.
Start with the white background tool to fix your backdrop, then resize to your country's exact specifications. For family passport applications, process everyone's photos in one session.