Passport photo sizes are not interchangeable
“Passport size” can mean a different frame, file format and submission method in every country. Start with the authority handling your application—not a generic template.
Three common formats
United States: 2 × 2 inches
For a paper U.S. passport application, the Department of State specifies 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head. The rules also require a recent colour image, direct gaze, and a plain white or off-white background.
United Kingdom: 35 × 45 mm for paper photos
UK paper passport photos measure 35 mm wide by 45 mm high. Online applications use a different digital workflow: the official service says the image must be at least 600 × 750 pixels, between 50 KB and 10 MB, and should not be cropped by the applicant because the service performs the crop.
Canada: 50 × 70 mm for paper applications
Canadian paper passport photos measure 50 × 70 mm, with a face height between 31 and 36 mm. Canada requires commercial photographer or studio photos and rejects altered images. Online renewal has separate digital requirements, including a 3:2 portrait image between 1,200 × 1,800 and 3,000 × 4,500 pixels.
How to choose the right preset
- Identify the exact document, country and application channel: paper, online upload or in-person.
- Open the current government instructions and note frame size, face height, background, file type and maximum file size.
- Select a matching preset in Photo Lili, or enter custom pixel dimensions when the portal provides them.
- Compare the finished image with the authority’s examples before you submit.
Official sources
- U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos
- GOV.UK — Get a passport photo
- Government of Canada — Passport photo requirements
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