Passport Photo Size by Country (2026) — Complete Dimensions Chart
Passport and visa photo dimensions for the US, UK, Schengen, Canada, China, India, Japan, Australia, and 95+ other countries. Millimetres, inches, pixel sizes, background colour, and ICAO compliance.
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TL;DR — three sizes cover most of the world
- 35 × 45 mm — used by the UK, Schengen Area, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and most of Asia. The most common passport photo size in the world.
- 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) — used by the US and India. Square format, inherited from pre-ICAO rules.
- 50 × 70 mm — used by Canada and Brazil. Larger than both standards, requires specific framing.
Dimensions chart — 22 most-applied-for countries
Each row links to the full requirements page (digital pixel range, biometric framing, file ceiling, and rejection reasons) on this site.
| Country | Doc | Millimetres | Inches | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Passport | 51 × 51 mm | 2.00 × 2.00 in | Plain white |
| United Kingdom | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Light grey or cream |
| Schengen Area | Visa | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Light grey or white |
| Canada | Passport | 50 × 70 mm | 1.97 × 2.76 in | Plain white |
| China | Visa | 33 × 48 mm | 1.30 × 1.89 in | Plain white |
| India | Passport | 51 × 51 mm | 2.00 × 2.00 in | Plain white |
| Japan | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Plain white |
| Australia | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Plain white |
| New Zealand | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Plain white |
| South Korea | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Plain white |
| Germany | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Light grey |
| France | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Light grey |
| Italy | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Light grey |
| Spain | Passport | 32 × 26 mm | 1.26 × 1.02 in | Plain white |
| Mexico | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Plain white |
| Brazil | Passport | 50 × 70 mm | 1.97 × 2.76 in | Plain white |
| Argentina | Passport | 40 × 40 mm | 1.57 × 1.57 in | Plain white |
| Ireland | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Plain white |
| Singapore | Passport | 35 × 45 mm | 1.38 × 1.77 in | Plain white |
| United Arab Emirates | Visa | 43 × 55 mm | 1.69 × 2.17 in | Plain white |
| Saudi Arabia | Visa | 51 × 51 mm | 2.00 × 2.00 in | Plain white |
| Turkey | Passport | 50 × 60 mm | 1.97 × 2.36 in | Plain white |
Which size do I actually need?
Use the table above as a quick reference, then click through to the country page for the exact pixel envelope, file-size ceiling, and biometric framing rules used by that authority. Our tool reads those values directly from the spec database when you upload a photo, so the output is always sized for the submission target — not a generic average.
FAQ
What is the most common passport photo size in the world?
35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) is the most widely used size globally. The UK, the entire Schengen Area, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and most of Asia all use it. The US and India are the most notable outliers with their 51 × 51 mm square format.
Why is the US passport photo square instead of rectangular?
The US uses 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) — a square inherited from pre-ICAO passport rules. Most of the world standardised on 35 × 45 mm to align with ICAO Doc 9303, but the US and India retained their square format for legacy compatibility.
Can I use a US passport photo (2×2 in) for a UK or Schengen application?
No. The square US format does not match the 35 × 45 mm rectangle required by the UK, Schengen, and most other countries. Submitting a US-format photo to a UK or Schengen application results in rejection. Always make a country-specific photo.
What size does Canada require?
Canada requires a unique 50 × 70 mm photo for passport applications — larger than both the US 51 × 51 mm and the international 35 × 45 mm. Canada also requires the photographer's name, address, and the date taken on the back of one print.
Do digital passport photos use the same dimensions?
Yes — the millimetre size translates directly to pixels at the authority's DPI (typically 300 DPI). For example, US 2 × 2 in at 300 DPI = 600 × 600 px minimum (up to 1200 × 1200 px maximum on the State Department uploader).
Make a correctly-sized photo now
Start from choose a document, or browse all supported countries. Need to know if you can reuse one photo across applications? See our guide on reusing the same passport photo.