How to Take a Passport Photo at Home (and Print It for Less)
Quick answer: have someone photograph you against a plain light wall in even daylight, then open the photo in a free passport photo maker, choose your country's size, fit your head inside the guide and download a 4 × 6 inch print sheet. Print it as a normal photo and cut out the copies.
Passport photo services can cost a surprising amount for a few seconds of work. With a phone, a plain wall and a little care, you can make a photo that meets the rules and print several copies for the price of a standard photo print. Always check your own country's official rules before you submit — they're strict and can change.
Passport photo sizes by country
| Size | Used for |
|---|---|
| 35 × 45 mm | UK, EU / Schengen, Pakistan, India, Australia and most countries |
| 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | USA passports and visas; India visas |
| 50 × 70 mm | Canada |
| 33 × 48 mm | China |
| 40 × 60 mm | Saudi Arabia |
| 35 × 50 mm | Malaysia |
| 40 × 50 mm | UAE visa |
Step 1: Take the photo
- Background: stand in front of a plain, light-coloured wall or hang a white sheet — no patterns, shadows or objects. (The US requires white or off-white; the UK asks for plain cream or light grey.)
- Light: face a window in daylight so your face is evenly lit. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows under your eyes, and don't use flash.
- Distance: ask someone to stand about 1–1.5 metres (4 feet) away and hold the phone at your eye level, using the main (rear) camera. Selfie cameras held close make noses look bigger.
- Pose: face the camera straight on, head level, both eyes open, mouth closed, with a neutral expression. Keep hair away from your eyes.
- Clothing and accessories: wear normal clothes (avoid white tops against a white background). Remove glasses, hats and headphones; religious head coverings are usually allowed if your face is fully visible.
- Take several shots and pick the sharpest one with no shadows.
Step 2: Crop it to the right size
- Open the Passport Photo Maker and choose your photo.
- Select the photo size for your country.
- Drag the photo so your head fits inside the oval and your eyes are on the guide line.
- Choose a print sheet — 4 × 6 in (10 × 15 cm) or A4 — and download it. The sheet holds several correctly sized copies.
Make passport and visa photos in standard sizes like 2x2 inch and 35x45 mm, then print several on a 4x6 sheet.
If your background isn't plain or white enough, first clean it up with Remove Background and choose a white background, then make the passport photo from the result. Don't edit your face, skin or eyes — retouched photos are rejected.
Remove the background from photos automatically with AI. Download a transparent PNG or add a new background color.
Step 3: Print it
- Order a 4 × 6 photo print at a pharmacy, supermarket or photo kiosk, or online. Upload the print sheet and order it as a normal photo — not a "passport photo" service.
- Print at 100% size. Make sure "fit to page", "fill" or cropping is turned off, or the photos will come out the wrong size.
- Use photo paper. Plain office paper is usually not accepted.
- Cut carefully along the edges with a ruler and sharp scissors or a paper trimmer.
Key rules for the most common passports
United States
2 × 2 inches; head 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head; white or off-white background; taken within the last 6 months; no glasses; neutral expression or natural smile with both eyes open.
United Kingdom
35 × 45 mm; head 29–34 mm from chin to crown; plain cream or light grey background; neutral expression, mouth closed; no shadows on the face or background. UK online applications take a digital photo instead of a printed one.
Canada
50 × 70 mm; face 31–36 mm from chin to crown; plain white or light background. Canadian passport photos have extra requirements for the photographer's details on the back, so check the official rules before printing at home.
Schengen / EU visas
35 × 45 mm; face about 70–80% of the photo height; plain light background; following the international (ICAO) photo standard.
Digital photos for online applications
Many countries now accept a digital photo for online applications and renewals. These usually have their own pixel size and file size rules. Take the photo the same way, follow the website's instructions, and if the file is too large, shrink it with Compress Image.
Passport photos for babies
Lay your baby on their back on a plain white sheet and take the photo from directly above, so there are no shadows. No hands, toys or pacifiers should be visible. Many countries are more flexible about expression for babies, but check your country's rules.
Common reasons photos get rejected
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Head too big or too small in the frame.
- Glare on skin or glasses, or eyes not clearly visible.
- Background not plain, or the wrong colour.
- Photo blurry, pixelated or printed on plain paper.
- Filters, beauty mode or heavy editing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my own passport photo at home?
Yes, as long as the photo meets your country's rules: correct size, plain background, even lighting, neutral expression and a recent photo. Ask someone else to take it, because selfies usually distort the face.
What size is a US passport photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head measuring 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, on a white or off-white background.
What size is a UK passport photo?
35 × 45 mm, with the head 29–34 mm from chin to crown, on a plain cream or light grey background.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
For US passports, no — glasses aren't allowed except for documented medical reasons. Other countries vary, but most require no glare and fully visible eyes. Removing glasses is the safest choice.
Where can I print passport photos cheaply?
Make a 4 × 6 inch print sheet with several photos on it and order it as a standard photo print at a pharmacy, supermarket or photo kiosk. It usually costs far less than a passport photo service.
ERP developer and AI & automation engineer who builds and maintains every tool on WebToolNest. More about me.