Passport photo aspect ratio: square and portrait formats
Aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height. It controls the shape of the canvas, while head size and eye position control how the person is framed inside that canvas.
Quick answer
Preserve the ratio; never stretch the face
Crop to the required width-to-height ratio, then resize. Dragging one edge until the numbers match distorts facial geometry and can cause biometric rejection.
Reference table
| Physical size | Ratio | Equivalent canvas |
|---|---|---|
| 2 x 2 in | 1:1 | 600 x 600 px |
| 35 x 45 mm | 7:9 | 413 x 531 px |
| 50 x 70 mm | 5:7 | 591 x 827 px |
| 30 x 40 mm | 3:4 | 354 x 472 px |
| 35 x 50 mm | 7:10 | 413 x 591 px |
How to calculate an aspect ratio
Divide width and height by their greatest common divisor. A 35 x 45 mm photo becomes 7:9; a 50 x 70 mm photo becomes 5:7. For software input, width divided by height gives the decimal ratio.
Canvas ratio is not head ratio
A square image does not mean the head should fill the square. Authorities publish a separate head-height or eye-line range. Both conditions need to be satisfied at the same time.
Crop before resizing
Set the correct ratio first and move the crop around the face without stretching. Resize the resulting crop only after the composition is correct.
Frequently asked questions
What aspect ratio is a 35 x 45 mm photo?
It is 7:9, or approximately 0.778 when expressed as width divided by height.
What aspect ratio is a US passport photo?
The standard 2 x 2 inch US passport photo is square, so its ratio is 1:1.
Can I stretch a portrait photo into a square?
No. Stretching changes facial proportions. Crop to a square using enough source space around the head and shoulders.
Why does the right ratio still get rejected?
The head height, eye position, centring or background may still be outside the document specification.
Official sources
Related knowledge
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