Typical photo and signature limits
Exam bodies and document authorities usually publish a PDF or information bulletin with exact specifications. Those instructions are always the final reference point. However, candidates often find the wording confusing or need a quick reminder while sitting at a cyber café. The table below summarises the ranges most people encounter in practice.
PAN Card Photo & Signature Requirements (NSDL / UTIITSL)
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | 3.5 cm × 2.5 cm (132 × 170 px for NSDL) |
| Photo file size | 2KB–20KB (JPEG) |
| Signature dimensions | 2 cm × 4.5 cm (approx. 140 × 60 px) |
| Signature file size | 2KB–10KB (JPEG) |
| Background | Plain white or light colour |
| DPI | 200 DPI recommended |
NSDL PAN Card Photo Resize – Complete Guide 2026
The NSDL PAN card application portal has one of the most restrictive photo size limits — just 2KB to 20KB. This is extremely small compared to other government portals (which typically allow 20-50KB). Our NSDL PAN photo resizer uses specialized compression to maintain clarity even at these tiny file sizes.
NSDL Photo Size vs UTIITSL Photo Size
- NSDL Online: Photo 2KB–20KB, Signature 2KB–10KB, JPEG format.
- UTIITSL Online: Photo up to 300KB, Signature up to 50KB, JPEG format.
- CSC / Offline: Similar to UTIITSL with more flexible limits.
If you're applying through NSDL, use our 15KB target for photos. For UTI, you can use 50KB safely.
Common PAN Photo Rejection Reasons
- File too large: NSDL limit is just 20KB. Most phone photos are 2-5MB.
- Wrong dimensions: NSDL expects 132 × 170 pixels approximately.
- Signature too big: PAN card signature must be under 10KB.
How to Resize for NSDL PAN Card
- Upload: Select your passport photo or signature.
- Target 15KB: Safely within the 2-20KB NSDL limit.
- Download: Upload the compressed file to NSDL or UTI portal.
PAN Card Photo Size — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the photo size for PAN card?
The PAN card photo size for NSDL online application is 2KB to 20KB in JPEG format. The dimensions should be approximately 3.5 cm × 2.5 cm (132 × 170 pixels). For UTI portal applications, the limit is more relaxed at up to 300KB.
How to resize photo for NSDL PAN card?
Upload your photo to our PAN card resizer, set the target to 15KB (safely within the 2-20KB NSDL limit), and download. The tool automatically adjusts quality and dimensions to hit the exact target. Works for both NSDL photo resize and NSDL pan photo resize requirements.
What is the size of photo and signature for PAN card?
The PAN card size photo must be 2-20KB (JPEG) for NSDL, along with a PAN card signature of 2-10KB. Dimensions are approximately 132 × 170 px for the photo and 140 × 60 px for the signature. Always use our PAN resizer to ensure exact compliance.
Why is my PAN photo rejected by NSDL?
Common reasons for NSDL PAN photo rejection: (1) File too large — NSDL's 20KB limit is very strict, (2) Wrong dimensions, (3) Not JPEG format, (4) Signature over 10KB. Use our NSDL pan resizer tool to fix all of these issues instantly.
NSDL Photo and Signature Size Guide
For NSDL photo and signature size requirements: Photo must be 3.5 × 2.5 cm at 200 DPI, between 2-20KB. Signature must be 2 × 4.5 cm, between 2-10KB. Both must be in JPEG format with a white or light background. Use this tool for exact pan card photo signature resize and pan card resize photo signature formatting.
Also See
Who this online tool helps
This page is designed for candidates and applicants who already have a decent quality photo but are stuck on the final upload step. Instead of visiting a studio every time an exam notification appears, you can prepare compliant files yourself in a few minutes.
- First-time PAN applicants applying through NSDL or UTI online portals.
- Individuals searching for "nsdl pan photo resizer" or "pan card photo resize".
- CSC operators and agents processing bulk PAN applications.
- NRIs applying for PAN cards online from abroad.
- Candidates needing "pan card document resizer" for supporting documents.
Step-by-step: prepare your image
- Capture or scan clearly. Use natural daylight or soft indoor light. Avoid harsh shadows, coloured bulbs and heavy filters.
- Crop to the right framing. Your head and shoulders should be comfortably inside the frame with a little space above the head. For signatures, crop to just the handwriting on white paper.
- Open the main PhotoResizer.in tool. Use the quick links in the header or go directly to the image resizer page.
- Select a suitable target KB value. If your notification states 20–50KB, you can safely start with 40–45KB to maintain clarity, or pick a lower option if the portal is very strict.
- Keep aspect ratio locked. This protects your picture from looking stretched when reduced to exam dimensions.
- Download and zoom in to verify. Open the final file, zoom in on your face or signature, and make sure edges remain sharp and text is readable.
Practical tips before final submission
Once your image is ready, a few small checks can save you from last-minute technical issues:
- Test the upload once on a desktop browser and once on mobile, if possible.
- Keep both the original and resized images in a clearly named folder so you can reuse them for future forms.
- Avoid editing the file further in apps that may enlarge it again or change the format.