This page opens the photo maker set to the Indian passport rules: a 35 × 45 mm colour photo on a white background, with the face from the top of the hair to the chin filling 80 to 85 % of the height. The guides show exactly where the head should sit, and turn green when it does.
The same size is what most Indian forms mean by "passport size photo", so you can also use it for bank, college and job applications. Your picture is cropped and edited inside your browser and is never uploaded.
How to make an Indian passport photo
- Country and Document are already set to India and Passport.
- Drop a front-facing photo taken against a plain wall, with your whole head and shoulders in view.
- Check that the guides turn green: the head should measure 36 to 38.3 mm. Drag, zoom or select Auto-fit if it doesn't.
- Leave Background on "As required" to get a clean white background.
- Choose Print on, such as 4 × 6 in for a photo lab, then select "Make photo" and download the photo, the print sheet and the online copy.
The rules in brief
- Size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, in colour.
- Head: hair to chin 80–85 % of the photo, about 36 to 38 mm.
- Background: plain white, with no shadows or patterns.
- Face: looking straight at the camera, eyes open, mouth closed, no glasses.
- Online copy: 630 × 810 px JPEG, made for you alongside the print.
Where you need it
Inside India, the Passport Seva Kendra takes your photo at the appointment, so check whether your appointment asks you to bring prints. Applicants abroad, who apply through Global Passport Seva at an Indian mission, usually need to upload or bring photos in this format. The rules here follow the Indian missions' published guidelines: see the official guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Indian passport photo size in cm?
3.5 × 4.5 cm, which is 35 × 45 mm. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels, and the tool writes the resolution into the file so it prints at the right size.
Can I wear glasses or smile?
No glasses, and keep a natural expression with your mouth closed. A gentle neutral face is safest.
Is the background really changed on my phone?
Yes. The person is found and the background replaced on your device. The photo never leaves it, which matters for an identity document.
The form wants the photo under a certain size in KB. What now?
Make the photo here, then run it through Compress image or Resize image, which keep files under a KB limit you type.