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.
Indian Passport Photo Size Requirements (2026)
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Size in cm | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (width × height) |
| Size in mm | 35 mm × 45 mm |
| Size in inches | 1.38 × 1.77 inches |
| Size in pixels (300 DPI) | 350 × 450 px |
| Aspect ratio | 7:9 (width:height) |
| Resolution | 300 DPI minimum |
| File size (digital) | 20KB – 350KB (JPEG) |
| Background | Plain white |
Indian Passport Photo Size: Complete Guide 2026
The Indian passport photo size is 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (35 mm × 45 mm). In inches, this is 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 DPI resolution, the pixel dimensions are 350 × 450 pixels. The aspect ratio is approximately 7:9 (width to height).
Passport Size Photo in MM for India
The standard Indian passport photo width is 35 mm and height is 45 mm. Your face should cover approximately 70-80% of the total frame height (25-35 mm from chin to crown). The background must be plain white with no shadows.
Indian Passport Photo Size in Inches
The Indian passport photo measures 1.38 × 1.77 inches. This is the standard ICAO-compliant size used by the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and all Regional Passport Offices in India. Note that the US passport uses a different size: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
Passport Photo Resolution & Pixels
For online submissions, scan or photograph at 300 DPI minimum. This gives a photo of 350 × 450 pixels (at 3.5 × 4.5 cm). Higher resolutions (413 × 531 px at 300 DPI for exact 35×45 mm) are also accepted. Do not use photos below 200 DPI — they will appear blurry on the printed passport booklet.
What is the Ratio of Passport Size Photo in India?
The ratio of passport size photo is approximately 7:9 (width:height), based on the 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm dimensions. Some portals accept square (1:1) uploads for digital thumbnails, but the printed passport photo must maintain the 7:9 ratio.
Passport Seva Kendra / Passport Renewal Online Upload (2026)
- File Format: JPEG/JPG only (PNG not accepted)
- File Size: Between 20 KB and 350 KB
- Dimensions: 350 × 450 px at 300 DPI (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
- Background: Plain white, no texture or patterns
- Face: Eyes open, mouth closed, ears visible, no spectacles
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Shadows: No shadows behind the ears or on the face. Use even lighting.
- Retouching: Do not use "beauty filters". Moles, scars, and natural skin tone must be visible.
- Background: If you don't have a white wall, use our Background Remover or Background Color Changer tool first, then resize here.
- Wrong ratio: Do not crop to a square for Indian passport. Use 7:9 (3.5 × 4.5 cm).
Passport Photo Size Comparison: India vs Other Countries
| Country | Size | Pixels | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 3.5×4.5 cm | 350×450 px | 7:9 |
| USA | 5.1×5.1 cm (2×2 in) | 600×600 px | 1:1 |
| UK | 3.5×4.5 cm | 350×450 px | 7:9 |
| Schengen/EU | 3.5×4.5 cm | 350×450 px | 7:9 |
| Canada | 5.0×7.0 cm | 500×700 px | 5:7 |
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.
- Indians applying for passport renewal via Passport Seva Kendra online portal.
- First-time passport applicants wondering "what is the size of Indian passport photo".
- Residents submitting photos for e-visa or travel authorisation systems.
- Students preparing passport-style photos for multiple applications.
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.
Related Identity Documents Photo Resizers
Candidates preparing for similar exams often need these tools as well. Each page below is pre-configured with the correct dimensions and file-size limits so you can switch between exams instantly.
Free Voter ID photo resizer & compressor. Resize voter card photo to 30KB-40KB for NVSP upload. Voter ID document resize, image resize for voter ID card, election card photo size converter online.
Free driving licence photo resizer & DL photo editor. Resize photo for Sarathi Parivahan to 10-20KB. Learning license signature size tool. DL resizer, license photo resizer & signature size converter online.
Resize your visa application photo to match common online portal dimensions and file size limits using a browser-based tool.
Free PAN card photo resizer & NSDL photo resizer. PAN card document resizer for photo and signature. Resize to 50KB for PAN card application (NSDL, UTI, CSC). PAN resizer online.
Free Aadhaar card photo resizer. Compress and resize your photo for Aadhaar card update, correction, or new enrollment. UIDAI portal-ready image.
Free Sarathi Parivahan photo resizer and editor. Resize photo to 10-20KB for driving licence (DL) and learner licence (LL). Sarathi photo resize online.
Quick size presets
Depending on the exact wording of your notification, you might also need a specific KB target:
- Resize image to 20KB – for very small upload limits.
- Resize image to 50KB – the most common exam photo size.
- Resize image to 100KB – for UPSC, passport, and visa-grade photos.
- Signature resize tool – when only your handwritten signature needs adjustment.
Remember: the goal is not just to pass the portal's technical checks, but to submit a clean and professional-looking image that represents you clearly.