How to Crop a Photo for Passport Size (Free)

Getting a passport photo taken at a pharmacy or photo studio costs anywhere from $10 to $20 for a simple headshot. But if you have a decent photo of yourself, you can crop it to passport specifications at home for free. All you need is a photo that meets basic quality standards and a tool to crop it to the correct dimensions. Here is exactly how to do it.

Passport Photo Requirements by Country

United States

• Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
• Head height: 1 to 1-3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head
• Background: Plain white or off-white
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
• Glasses: Not allowed (as of 2016)

United Kingdom

• Size: 35 x 45 mm
• Head height: 29-34 mm from chin to crown
• Background: Plain light grey or cream

European Union (Schengen)

• Size: 35 x 45 mm
• Face height: 32-36 mm from chin to crown
• Background: Light, uniform color (usually white or light blue)

India

• Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
• Background: Plain white
• Face coverage: 50-69% of the photo

How to Take a Good Passport Photo at Home

1. Stand in front of a white wall or hang a white sheet behind you. Ensure there are no shadows, patterns, or objects visible.
2. Use natural light. Face a window for even, soft lighting. Avoid harsh overhead lights or flash that creates shadows.
3. Position the camera at eye level about 4 feet away. A smartphone camera works fine.
4. Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.
5. Remove glasses, hats, and headwear (unless worn for religious reasons).
6. Take several photos and choose the best one.

How to Crop Your Photo to Passport Size

1. Open our free Image Cropper.
2. Upload your photo.
3. For US passports, set the aspect ratio to 1:1 (square). For UK/EU passports, set it to approximately 7:9 (35 x 45 mm).
4. Position the crop so your head is centered and properly sized according to the requirements above.
5. Download the cropped image.

After cropping, you can print the photo at home on glossy photo paper. For US passports, print two 2x2 inch photos on a 4x6 photo sheet. Many drugstores also accept digital photos for printing at their kiosks.

Common Passport Photo Mistakes to Avoid

• Shadows on face or background: These will cause rejection. Use even lighting.
• Wrong head size: If your face is too small or too large in the frame, the photo will be rejected. Follow the head height guidelines.
• Red eye: Avoid using flash. If red eye occurs, retake the photo rather than using red-eye removal tools, which can alter eye appearance.
• Low resolution: Blurry or pixelated photos will be rejected. Use a decent camera and good lighting.
• Smiling: Most countries require a neutral expression. Save the smile for when you get your passport approved.

Save Money on Passport Photos

By taking and cropping your passport photo at home, you save $10 to $20 per person. For a family of four, that is up to $80 saved. All it takes is a few minutes, a white background, and our free Image Cropper.