How to make a passport photo at home
- Take a front-facing photo with your phone at eye level, about an arm’s length away or more.
- Pick the photo above and choose the size (2×2 in is selected by default).
- Drag the photo and zoom until your face fits inside the yellow oval: top of the head at the top, chin at the bottom.
- Download what you need: a digital photo, a 4×6 sheet for a photo lab, or a PDF to print at home.
Tips for a photo that gets accepted
- Plain, light background. Stand in front of a white or off-white wall. The tool does not change the background.
- Even light from the front. Daylight from a window works better than a ceiling light, which casts shadows under the eyes.
- Face straight on, neutral expression. Look at the camera with your mouth closed and your head level. If the photo is tilted, use Straighten.
- No hats or sunglasses. For US passports, regular glasses are not allowed either, and many other countries have the same rule.
- Ask someone to help. A selfie at arm’s length distorts the face. Someone holding the phone 1 to 2 meters away, with a little zoom, gives a more natural result.
How to print your passport photo
At a photo lab or pharmacy
Download the 4×6 in print sheet and order a regular 4×6 print. It’s the cheapest print size almost everywhere. The sheet holds several photos with thin lines to guide your cut, so one print gives you spares.
At home
Download the PDF and print it on Letter or A4 paper. In the print dialog choose actual size or 100%. With "fit to page" the photos come out smaller than they should. Glossy photo paper looks much better than plain paper.
Digital photos for online applications
For online forms, use the digital photo. A 2×2 in photo comes out at 600 × 600 pixels at 300 dpi. If the website has a file size limit, type it in Maximum file size, for example 240 KB. For other size limits, use compress image to KB.
Common photo sizes
- 2×2 in (51×51 mm): US passport and visa. The head should measure 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of hair.
- 35×45 mm: passports and visas for the UK, most of Europe, Australia and many other countries.
- 50×70 mm: Canadian passport and visa.
- 3×4 cm: Brazilian documents, school IDs and badges.
- Other: type any width and height in millimeters.
Every agency has its own rules (background color, head size, glasses). Check the official requirements before you print or submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2×2 photos fit on a 4×6 print?
Six. For 35×45 mm photos, eight fit on a 4×6 sheet. The tool shows the count for the size you pick.
Will the photo print at the right size?
Yes, as long as it’s printed at actual size. The 4×6 sheet is exactly 4×6 inches at 300 dpi, and the PDF uses the exact page size of Letter or A4 paper.
Can I use a photo I already have?
Yes, if it’s front-facing, sharp and well lit. You can zoom into a group photo, but quality drops the more you zoom in.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. The photo is cropped and laid out in your own browser and never leaves your device.
Can it change the background to white?
Not yet. Take the photo in front of a light wall so you don’t need to change it.