35×45 mm Photo

The 35×45 mm photograph is the most widely used document-photo size in the world. It is the standard format for many passports, visas, residence permits and identity cards, including the proportions familiar from international and Schengen-style applications. If you have been asked for a document photo without further detail, there is a good chance 35×45 mm is what you need.

This guide sets out the precise specification, explains where the format applies, and describes how our studio turns an ordinary photo into a compliant 35×45 mm file for print and online submission.

Where the 35×45 mm format is used

Because it is so common, 35×45 mm appears across a huge range of documents in many countries. It is the default size on countless application forms and visa portals, which is exactly why it is worth getting right once and reusing. Even so, confirm the figure your institution lists; when the requirement reads 35×45 mm, this format applies directly to your application.

Exact specification

The finished image is 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall, equal to about 1.38 by 1.77 inches, the classic international portrait proportion. We produce it at 300 dpi for clean detail. The head should measure around 33.75 mm from chin to crown, filling roughly 70 to 80 percent of the frame, which keeps the face prominent with a small, even margin above the hair.

• Dimensions: 35×45 mm (about 1.38×1.77 in), 300 dpi.
• Head height: about 33.75 mm, 70–80 percent of the frame.
• Background: uniform white (#FFFFFF) with no shadow or texture.
• Expression: neutral and natural, mouth closed, no smile, eyes open.
• Glasses: not allowed; remove them for the photo.
• Headwear: none, apart from plain coverings worn daily for religious reasons, with the face fully visible.
• File format: JPG, maximum 2 MB.

Common rejection reasons

Even with such a familiar format, photos are turned away for predictable reasons. The head height falls outside the 70 to 80 percent band, so the face is either too large and crops the hair or too small in the frame. The background is off-white or carries a shadow, instead of clean white. The expression includes a smile or open lips. Glasses create glare or hide the eyes. A tilted head or an uneven crop throws off the alignment. We correct each of these before the file is delivered.

How we prepare your photo

Provide a clear, well-lit photo taken straight on. We level and centre your head, set the head height to the 33.75 mm target for the 35×45 mm frame, and replace the background with an even white field free of shadows. We confirm a calm expression with both eyes open and the mouth closed, then balance colour and skin tone so you look natural and professional. The image is checked against the dimensional and head-size rules to make sure every measurement lands inside specification.

Print and digital delivery

You get a digital JPG sized exactly to 35×45 mm at 300 dpi and kept under 2 MB, ready for upload to visa and application portals. We also supply a print-ready sheet at true physical size with cut guides, so you can have copies printed at a photo counter or run them off at home on standard 10×15 cm paper and trim. Because the same approved image feeds both outputs, your printed and digital photos always match.

Getting it right the first time

Wear ordinary clothing that contrasts with the white background, keep your hair clear of your eyes and the edges of your face, and look directly at the camera with a relaxed expression. If your particular application adds wording beyond the common rules, follow it precisely. With the 35×45 mm size, correct head height, white background, neutral expression and 2 MB JPG limit all met, you have the most widely accepted document photo ready to submit.