Indian Passport Size Photo in CM
In India, the standard metric dimension for passport size photographs is 3.5 cm in width and 4.5 cm in height (3.5 × 4.5 cm). This specification is established by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for Indian Passport Seva applications and conforms strictly to international biometric standards outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO Doc 9303).
Beyond international passports, the 3.5 × 4.5 cm standard is universal across India for identity documents and official examinations, including:
- Aadhaar Card Updates (UIDAI): 35 × 45 mm format with 70–80% facial coverage.
- Driving Licence Applications (Parivahan Sarathi): 3.5 × 4.5 cm formatted under 20 KB.
- Voter ID Cards (Election Commission of India): 3.5 × 4.5 cm standard portrait.
- Government Recruitment Exams (UPSC, SSC, State PSC, IBPS, RRB): Standard 7:9 ratio for candidate verification.
Passport Photo Size in CM – Height and Width
A common point of confusion among applicants is the difference between writing 3.5 × 4.5 cm versus 4.5 × 3.5 cm. In geometry and graphic software, dimensions are typically designated as Width × Height (3.5 cm width × 4.5 cm height). In some official Indian government circulars, it is phrased as Length × Width (4.5 cm length × 3.5 cm width). Both refer to the identical portrait-oriented rectangular photograph.
📏Physical Dimensional Specs
- Total Width:3.5 cm (35 mm)
- Total Height:4.5 cm (45 mm)
- Orientation:Portrait (Vertical)
- Border Style:Borderless / Thin hairline
👤Biometric Facial Composition in CM
- Head Height (Crown to Chin):3.1 cm to 3.6 cm (70–80%)
- Eye Level from Bottom:2.0 cm to 3.0 cm
- Top Margin (Head to Top):0.3 cm to 0.5 cm
- Background Color:Plain White / Off-White
Passport Photo Size in CM, MM, Inches and Pixels
Depending on whether you are submitting a printed photograph at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or uploading a digital image to an exam portal, you will encounter different units of measurement.
Below is the complete conversion matrix for standard Indian passport photographs across all major physical and digital units:
| Unit of Measure | Width | Height | Aspect Ratio | Application Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centimeters (CM) | 3.5 cm | 4.5 cm | 7:9 | Official physical photo standard for Indian Passports & Govt forms |
| Millimeters (MM) | 35 mm | 45 mm | 7:9 | Studio photo cutter & international ICAO Doc 9303 standard |
| Inches (IN) | 1.38 in (~1⅜″) | 1.77 in (~1¾″) | 7:9 | Photo lab printing & international print equipment |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 413 px | 531 px | 7:9 | High-resolution standard for commercial studio printing |
| Pixels @ 600 DPI | 827 px | 1063 px | 7:9 | High-definition biometric e-Passport scanning & archiving |
| Pixels @ 200 DPI | 276 px | 354 px | 7:9 | Optimized for online recruitment portals (under 50 KB ceiling) |
| Pixels @ 72 DPI | 99 px | 128 px | 7:9 | Screen preview / mobile thumbnail only (not suitable for print) |
💡Why Pixel Count Depends on Resolution (DPI):
Centimeters represent physical length on paper, whereas pixels represent digital dots on a screen. The formula connecting centimeters to pixels is: Pixels = (Centimeters / 2.54) × DPI. For digital examination forms with specific pixel limits (such as SSC's 200×230 px or PAN's 213×213 px), upload the exact pixel dimensions requested by the respective portal.
3.5 × 4.5 cm Passport Photo Ratio (7:9 Explained)
The mathematical ratio of a 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm photograph is determined by simplifying its dimensions:
Aspect Ratio Calculation:
Width : Height = 3.5 : 4.5
Multiply by 10 = 35 : 45
Divide by 5 = 7 : 9 (Decimal Value: 0.7778)
Why is the 7:9 ratio critical? When uploading photos to government portals, the upload frame is mathematically hardcoded to a 7:9 box. If you upload a square 1:1 image or a 3:4 camera photo without cropping, the portal will forcibly stretch your face vertically or compress it horizontally, resulting in automatic application rejection.
How to Make a Passport Size Photo in 3.5 × 4.5 cm
You can create an official-compliant 3.5 × 4.5 cm passport photo directly from your smartphone or desktop without visiting a commercial photo studio:
Take a Clear Portrait
Stand against a well-lit white or light wall. Keep your head straight, shoulders level, and maintain a neutral facial expression.
Upload to Photo Maker
Use our free Passport Photo Maker above with the "Indian Passport (3.5×4.5 cm / 7:9)" preset preloaded.
Align Biometric Guide
Position the biometric facial overlay so your head fills 70%–80% (3.1–3.6 cm) of the frame with eyes centered.
Download & Print
Download the single 300 DPI image or generate an A4 print sheet with up to 16/32 photos for instant printing.
Passport Size Photo Size in CM Online (Free & 100% Private)
Many online tools require account signups, charge subscription fees, or upload your biometric facial photos to remote cloud servers.
Zero-Upload Client-Side Guarantee
On passportsizephotoratio.in, all dimensional calculations, ratio locks, background adjustments, and A4 print sheet generation execute 100% locally inside your browser using HTML5 Canvas. Your photos never touch any server or database, guaranteeing complete personal privacy.
Common Passport Photo Size Mistakes to Avoid
2×2 inch (1:1 ratio) is the US Visa standard. Indian passports and exam portals strictly mandate 3.5 × 4.5 cm (7:9 ratio).
Full-body or wide torso shots are rejected. Head height from crown to chin must occupy 3.1 cm to 3.6 cm of the 4.5 cm height.
Blue, red, or patterned backgrounds are invalid. Use our White Background Tool to ensure compliant solid white backdrops.
Printing screenshots (72 DPI) results in pixelated, blurry prints. Always export at 300 DPI (413 × 531 pixels minimum).
The dimensional specifications, head height parameters, and background rules on this page are cross-referenced with the official Passport Seva Guidelines (Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India) and the ICAO Doc 9303 Part 3 Standard.