How to Make a Passport Size Photo Online for Free

Passport, visa and exam applications all want a photo at an exact size with a plain background. A studio trip costs money and takes time — but you can make a compliant photo from a phone snap in a couple of minutes, for free.

What a passport photo needs

Most authorities ask for the same basics, though you should always check your country's exact rules:

• A plain, light background — usually white or off-white.
• A straight, front-facing pose with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
• Even lighting with no harsh shadows behind the head.
• The correct size — 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) in the US, or 35×45 mm in India, the UK and much of Europe.

Make one in three steps

• Take a clear photo. Stand against a light wall in soft, even light. Face the camera straight on.
• Open the passport photo maker. Upload your picture and pick your country's size — it crops and positions the face for you.
• Download. Save the properly sized photo, ready to upload or print.

Fix a busy background

If your wall isn't plain, remove the background first with the free background remover, then drop in a clean white background before sizing. That turns almost any snapshot into a usable passport photo.

Meeting a file-size limit

Many portals also cap the file size — often 20KB to 100KB. After sizing your photo, run it through the image compressor to hit the exact limit without it looking blurry. For very strict forms there are dedicated tools for 20KB and 50KB.

Tips for an accepted photo

• Keep your hair off your face and avoid heavy shadows.
• Don't smile widely — a neutral expression is safest.
• Remove glasses if your authority requires it (many now do).
• Print on photo paper if a hard copy is needed.

Everything runs in your browser, so your photo never leaves your device. Make your passport photo free →