A studio passport photo costs money and a trip out, and you often have to retake it anyway. With a phone, a plain wall and a free tool, you can make an accepted photo at home in about ten minutes. This guide covers how to take the photo, the size rules for the most common countries, and how to print it correctly.
1. Check the size your country needs
Passport and visa photos are not the same size everywhere. The most common sizes are:
| Country or document | Photo size |
|---|---|
| India, United Kingdom, Schengen / EU, Australia, Pakistan and most other countries | 35 × 45 mm |
| United States (passport and visa) | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm |
| China visa | 33 × 48 mm |
| Japan | 35 × 45 mm |
Each country also sets how big your head must be in the photo, measured from your chin to the top of your hair. You don't need to measure this yourself: the Passport Photo Maker draws two green guide lines and positions your head inside the official range when you choose your country.
Rules change from time to time. Always check the current requirements on your government's passport or visa website before you apply.
2. Set up your "home studio"
- Background: stand in front of a plain, light-colored wall. It doesn't need to be perfectly white, because the tool replaces it with a clean white background, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.
- Light: face a window during the day. Soft, even light on both sides of your face is ideal. Avoid a lamp directly above you, which casts shadows under the eyes and nose.
- Distance: stand about half a meter (2 feet) in front of the wall, so you don't cast a shadow on it.
- Camera: ask someone to hold the phone at your eye level, about 1–1.5 meters (4–5 feet) away. Taking a photo from very close up (like a selfie at arm's length) makes your nose look bigger and is a common reason for rejection. If you're alone, use a stand and the self-timer.
3. Take the photo
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed.
- Keep your eyes open and clearly visible. Push hair away from your face.
- No hats or head coverings unless worn for religious reasons, and your full face must still be visible.
- Glasses: the US no longer allows glasses in passport photos. Many other countries allow them only if there's no glare and the frames don't cover your eyes. Taking them off is the safest choice.
- Wear normal, everyday clothes. Avoid white tops on a white background, and avoid uniforms.
- Include your head and upper shoulders, with some space above your hair.
Take several photos and pick the sharpest one with even lighting.
4. Make the passport photo
- Open the Passport Photo Maker and upload your photo.
- Choose your country or document. The size and head position are set for you.
- Wait a few seconds while the background is removed and replaced with white.
- Check the green lines: the top line should touch the top of your hair and the bottom line your chin. Use the sliders to adjust the head size and position if needed.
- Download the digital photo (JPG) for online applications. If the form has a file size limit, enter it in the "max size" box.
5. Print it correctly
Download the print sheet, which places several copies on one page:
- 4 × 6 inch (10 × 15 cm) photo paper: the standard size at photo shops and pharmacies. A print usually costs very little.
- A4 paper: for printing at home on a good inkjet printer with photo paper.
The most important setting is scale: print at 100% / "Actual size", never "Fit to page". Otherwise the photos come out the wrong size. Cut along the thin grey lines.
Common reasons photos get rejected
- Head too small or too large in the frame
- Shadows on the face or behind the head
- Blurry or pixelated photo
- Tilted head or not looking at the camera
- Smiling with teeth, or eyes half closed
- Glare on glasses
- Printed at the wrong size ("Fit to page")
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a selfie? Yes, if the camera is far enough away to avoid distortion. A rear camera on a stand with a timer gives the best results.
Is my photo stored? No. It is only processed to remove the background and then deleted from the server immediately. Everything else happens in your browser.
What about photos for job applications or ID cards? Choose "Passport size photo (forms & ID, shows shoulders)". It shows your head and shoulders, which most applications prefer.
Ready? Make your passport photo now. It's free and takes about two minutes.