Official specification
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 mm wide × 45 mm high (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Digital size | 413 × 531 pixels at 300 dpi |
| Face | Front facing, head and top of shoulders visible, face about 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows or patterns |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open and visible |
| Glasses, caps | No tinted glasses; no cap or hat except for religious reasons |
Indian passport applications made in India do not need a photo — it is taken at the Passport Seva Kendra. The 3.5 × 4.5 cm size is the standard 'passport size' used on exam forms, ID applications, bank and office records. Applications made outside India (for example through an Indian embassy) often require 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) photos instead.
Last checked: . Source: Passport Seva – photo taken at PSK; ICAO 9303 photo guidance (basis for passport photo rules). Rules change between notices — always match the instructions on your own form.
How to use
- Choose a photo taken against a plain light wall, facing the camera.
- Drag and zoom so your face fits the dotted oval: a small gap above the head, chin well above the bottom edge.
- Tap Download JPG for the digital 413 × 531 px file.
- For prints, pick 8, 16 or 30 copies and tap Download A4 PDF. Print at 100% / actual size.
Getting the framing right
Most rejected passport-style photos fail for framing, not quality. The face should be large — from the chin to the top of the hair it should fill roughly three-quarters of the height. The dotted oval in the crop frame is drawn at that size, so line your face up with it: the top of your head close to the top of the oval and your chin at its bottom. Keep your head straight, not tilted, with both ears roughly equally visible.
Because the tool works at 300 dpi, the printed photo is sharp even at close range, provided the original was in focus. A phone’s rear camera gives better results than the front camera; ask someone to take the photo for you if possible.
Common rejection reasons and fixes
Shadow behind the head. You were standing too close to the wall. Step forward so there is about a metre between you and the wall, and face the window.
Face too small or too large. Zoom in or out until your face fills the oval guide. Avoid cropping the top of your hair.
Colour cast. Yellow indoor lighting makes skin look orange and the background beige. Take the photo in daylight near a window and switch off the room light.
Printed photos are the wrong size. The printer scaled the page. Print the PDF at “Actual size” / 100%. Measure one photo with a ruler — it should be exactly 3.5 cm wide.
Glare on glasses. Remove glasses if you can. If not, tilt them slightly downward to remove reflections; tinted lenses are not allowed.
Cutting the A4 sheet
Each photo is printed with a thin grey border to guide your cuts, and there is a 2 mm gap between photos so a small cutting error never eats into the next one. A paper trimmer gives the cleanest edges; scissors work fine if you cut along the grey lines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the size of a passport size photo in India?
The usual passport-size photo in India is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high (35 × 45 mm). In pixels that is 413 × 531 at 300 dpi, which is what this tool creates.
How many passport photos fit on one A4 sheet?
At the true 35 × 45 mm size with small gaps for cutting and margins that home printers need, up to 30 fit on A4 (5 across, 6 down). This tool offers 8, 16 and 30 copies. Sheets advertised with 32 or more copies usually use a slightly smaller photo or no printer margin.
Do I need a photo for an Indian passport application?
Not when you apply in India — your photo is taken at the Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office PSK during the appointment. You will still need passport-size photos for many other forms, and photos of a different size if you apply from abroad.
Can I print these at home?
Yes. Download the A4 PDF and print it on glossy photo paper. In the print dialog choose 'Actual size' or 100% scale, not 'Fit to page', otherwise the photos will be slightly smaller than 3.5 × 4.5 cm. A local print shop can also print the PDF.
How do I get a white background?
Stand about one metre in front of a plain white or light-coloured wall in daylight. Standing away from the wall prevents your shadow from appearing behind you. The tool does not change your background, so a clean original matters.
What file size will the digital photo be?
Around 40 to 120 KB at high quality, and always under 200 KB. If a form needs a smaller file or a different pixel size, use the home page and type its exact numbers.
Related tools
- PAN card photo resizeMake your PAN photo and signature the right pixel size and KB in seconds, for UTIITSL or Protean (NSDL) forms.
- SSC photo resizeGet the SSC signature (10–20 KB) and a 20–50 KB photo with name and date strip, ready to upload.
- Resize photo in KBType the width, height and KB range from your form, choose a photo, and download a file that fits.
- Photo + signature joinerFor forms that want photo and signature in a single image: set the size, add both, download.
हिंदी में जानकारी
पासपोर्ट साइज फोटो (3.5 × 4.5 सेमी) बनाने के लिए सादी सफेद दीवार के सामने ली गई फोटो चुनें, चेहरे को बिंदुदार गोले में रखें और Download JPG दबाएँ। प्रिंट के लिए 8, 16 या 30 कॉपी चुनकर A4 PDF डाउनलोड करें और प्रिंट करते समय 100% / Actual size चुनें। आपकी फोटो कहीं अपलोड नहीं होती।