30×40 mm Photo

The 30×40 mm photo is a popular upright portrait format with classic proportions. Larger than the small card sizes yet still compact, it offers a clear, comfortably framed view of the face and is one of the most commonly requested document photo sizes in many parts of the world.

Familiar formats like this still have exact rules, and a photo that is close but not precise can be turned away. Our service prepares your image to the published 30×40 mm specification so it is accepted without delay.

Typical uses

A 30×40 mm portrait is a generic, widely used size for identity cards, permits, official applications, certificates, membership documents and many administrative forms. Because it is a long-standing standard across numerous institutions, a single correctly prepared file is often reusable for several different needs. Confirm the exact wording of your request, as some offices add minor instructions on top of the standard size.

Exact specification

This format is 30 mm wide and 40 mm tall, produced at 300 dpi for sharp, clean detail. The head should measure about 30 mm from chin to crown, roughly 65–78% of the frame height, centred and facing the camera directly. The background must be plain white, even and free of shadows.

• Dimensions: 30×40 mm, portrait orientation
• Resolution: 300 dpi
• Head height: about 30 mm (65–78% of the frame)
• Background: white (#FFFFFF), smooth and shadow-free
• Expression: neutral, no smile, mouth closed
• Glasses: not allowed
• Headwear: religious reasons only, with the face fully visible
• File: JPG, maximum 2 MB

How we prepare your photo

Start with a sharp, front-facing photo taken in soft, even light. Our service crops to the 30×40 mm rectangle, positions and scales your head into the 65–78% range, and replaces the background with a clean white field. We balance exposure and colour so your features look natural, then export a 300 dpi JPG kept comfortably under 2 MB and ready for use.

Reasons photos are rejected

Even with this well-known size, photos are refused for predictable reasons: a head positioned too high or too low, head height outside the 65–78% range, an uneven or grey-tinted background, shadows behind the subject, a smile or open mouth, and wearing glasses, which are not permitted for this format. We inspect each of these details and correct them, so your portrait meets the standard the first time it is reviewed.

Printing and digital use

A prepared 30×40 mm file works equally well for print and online use. At 300 dpi it stays crisp at actual size, and multiple copies fit neatly on a standard photo sheet such as 10×15 cm, which is convenient if you need several prints. The same JPG, kept below 2 MB, uploads smoothly to digital portals that enforce file-size limits, so one file covers both paper and electronic submissions.

Saving your file for later

Because the 30×40 mm requirements are consistent wherever the size is used, it is worth keeping your finished file. When the format is requested again you can submit it straight away, confident that the dimensions, head height, background and file size already comply.

Lighting and clothing tips

For a clean 30×40 mm portrait, use soft frontal light and keep both sides of your face evenly lit, with no shadow on the white background. Choose a top that contrasts gently with the backdrop so your shoulders do not disappear into it, and keep hair clear of your eyes and eyebrows. Look straight at the camera with your head level. These habits help the head settle naturally into the 65–78% range and keep the whole picture balanced.

Why people choose this size first

The 30×40 mm format is a comfortable middle ground: large enough to show the face clearly, yet small enough to fit standard photo panels and card windows. Its classic proportions are familiar to many offices, which is part of why it is requested so often. Preparing one accurate 30×40 mm file gives you a dependable portrait you can reach for whenever this widely used size comes up.

Before you submit

Before sending your 30×40 mm photo, run through the key points one more time: the crop is exactly 30 by 40 millimetres, the head is close to 30 mm and within the 65–78% range, the background is clean white, the expression is neutral, glasses are removed, and the JPG stays under 2 MB at 300 dpi. A brief final check keeps surprises to a minimum, and our service confirms each of these details on every file we prepare for you.