How big should the head be in a passport photo?

It depends on the document: across the 60 documents WinPhoto ID checks that set a head size, the head fills between 44% and 80% of the photo's height. Each document's page measures your photo against its own range.

Which authorities' rules are quoted here?

35 documents from 15 countries. Each quote is from the issuing authority's own page, linked beside it, with the date we read it. Rules change: the official page is the one that counts.

Does the check mean my photo will be accepted?

No. The check compares your photo with the published rules as we read them on the date each page gives. Only the authority decides whether it accepts a photo.

Is my photo uploaded?

No. The check runs in your browser and the photo stays on your device. The one exception is the Detail check, which is opt-in and comes with a document's photo.

Passport, visa and ID photos · Fix a photo

Head too big or too small in a passport photo: how to fix it

Each document sets its own head size, measured from the chin to the top of the head, and a photo framed for one can fail another. Here is how to frame it, then what each authority's own page says.

Your photo stays on your device: nothing is uploaded, and no face is recognised.

Check your photo now, free

How to fix it

Take the photo from further back than feels natural, with space above your head and your shoulders in view.
Hold the camera at the height of your eyes. From above or below, the head's proportions change.
Don't zoom or crop on the phone first: the page needs room around your head to frame it.

The free check measures your head from chin to crown against your document's own range. On the pages that make the file, it also frames the photo to that range, and you can adjust the framing yourself.

Check your photo against your document's rules

Choose your document: its page checks your photo in your browser, free. The indented words are the issuing authority's own, from the official page linked beside them, read on the date given. WinPhoto is not affiliated with any government. Only the authority decides whether it accepts a photo.

Australia

Australian citizenship application photo (ImmiAccount upload; 35-40 x 45-50 mm print for paper and Form 1195)
The size of the face from chin to crown can be up to a maximum of 36 mm, with a minimum of 32 mm.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
Australian passport (printed photos)
The height of your face, from your chin to your crown, must be 32–36 mm.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
Australian passport for a baby or young child (printed photos)
The height of your face, from your chin to your crown, must be 32–36 mm.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Canada

Canada Temporary Resident (visitor) Visa application photo (IRCC)
The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 1/4″) and 36 mm (1 7/16″).
Official page, read on 15 November 2026.
Canada permanent residence / permanent resident (PR) card photo
Head size (chin to crown): the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (not including hair) measuring between 31 mm (1¼ inches) and 36 mm (1⁷⁄₁₆ inches).
Official page, read on 15 November 2026.
Canada permanent residence / permanent resident (PR) card photo for a baby or child
Head size (chin to crown): the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (not including hair) measuring between 31 mm (1¼ inches) and 36 mm (1⁷⁄₁₆ inches).
Official page, read on 15 November 2026.
Canada study permit application photo (IRCC)
The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 1/4″) and 36 mm (1 7/16″).
Official page, read on 15 November 2026.
Canada super visa (parents and grandparents) application photo (IRCC)
The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 1/4″) and 36 mm (1 7/16″).
Official page, read on 15 November 2026.
Canada work permit application photo (IRCC), with the International Experience Canada digital photo
The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 1/4″) and 36 mm (1 7/16″).
Official page, read on 15 November 2026.
Canadian citizenship application photo (citizenship grant, proof of citizenship certificate, renunciation)
The height of the face measures between 31 mm (1- 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1- 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head)
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
Canadian passport, in person or by mail (printed photos)
The height of your face must measure between 31 mm (1¼ inches) and 36 mm (1⁷⁄₁₆ inches) from chin to crown (top of head).
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Netherlands

Dutch passport and identity card (ID-kaart), printed photo
Ages 11 and above: between 26 mm and 30 mm from chin to crown.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Russia

Russian unified e-visa (единая электронная виза) applicant face photo
The photo must show the top of your head and the top of your shoulders. Your head must be in the center of the photo and be fully shown from the top of the hairline or the crown of the head to the tip of the chin. The nose must be on the symmetry line. The face must take up 70-80 percent of the photo.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia tourist e-visa (Visit Saudi eVisa) personal photo
The photo must clearly show the person's facial features in a straightforward position from the tip of the chin to the crown of the head as well as the left and right sides of the face.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Schengen Area (France-Visas and German missions quoted)

Schengen short-stay visa (type C) application photo, ICAO format
The picture must be recent and conform to reality. The photo should be between 35 and 40 mm wide. The size of the face should be 32 to 36 mm (70 to 80% of the picture) from chin to forehead (excluding hair) and comply with the ICAO standard.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Singapore

Singapore entry visa application photo (ICA e-Service upload 400 x 514 px, or a 35 x 45 mm print with Form 14A)
The facial image must be between 25 mm and 35 mm from chin to crown.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
Singapore passport photo (MyICA online application 400 x 514 px, or a 35 x 45 mm print with the overseas form)
Your face in the photograph should measure between 25 mm and 35 mm from chin to crown;
Official page, read on 12 November 2026.

South Africa

South African passport (tourist, child, official), printed photos where not captured live
Four (4) recent coloured photos in white background (showing head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm and head to chin 29mm to 34mm with mouth closed)
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Taiwan

Taiwan (Republic of China) visa application photo (paper photos for a visitor or resident visa at a Taiwan overseas mission)
The size of the photographs must be 45 in height and 35 mm in width (1.77 inches by 1.38 inches; not including the frame) and show the head and top of the shoulders. The size of the head from chin to crown must be between 32 mm and 36 mm (1.26 inches and 1.42 inches, thus, the face taken up 70-80 percent of the photograph), and the head must be evenly centered in the photograph.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Thailand

Thailand e-Visa (thaievisa.go.th) applicant photograph
Your head height measured from the top of your head including the hair to the bottom of your chin must be around 70% of the photo's total height. Upload photo in a vertical orientation. Expression should be neutral and with your mouth closed.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

United Kingdom

UK passport for a baby or child, paper application (printed photos)
The image of you - from the crown of your head to your chin - must be between 29mm and 34mm high.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
UK passport, paper application (printed photos)
The image of you - from the crown of your head to your chin - must be between 29mm and 34mm high.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

United States

DACA request photos (Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, filed with Form I-765)
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo.
Official page, read on 5 November 2026.
Green Card application (adjustment of status), Form I-485 photos
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), Form I-129F (K-1 fiancé(e) or K-3 spouse) photos of the petitioner and the beneficiary
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from bottom of photo.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 / I-130A, spouse petition photos (petitioner and spouse)
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from bottom of photo.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
U.S. Certificate of Citizenship photos, Form N-600, and replacement naturalization/citizenship document photos, Form N-565 (applicants living outside the U.S.)
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo.
Official page, read on 5 November 2026.
U.S. naturalization photos, Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization), applicants residing outside the U.S.
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo.
Official page, read on 5 November 2026.
U.S. passport (book or card)
The size of your head in the printed photo must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
U.S. passport for a baby or young child (printed photo with Form DS-11)
The size of your head in the printed photo must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
U.S. travel document photos, Form I-131 (advance parole, TPS travel authorization, refugee travel document from abroad)
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.
U.S. work permit (Employment Authorization Document, EAD), Form I-765 photos
Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo.
Official page, read on 4 November 2026.

Questions

How big should the head be in a passport photo?: It depends on the document: across the 60 documents WinPhoto ID checks that set a head size, the head fills between 44% and 80% of the photo's height. Each document's page measures your photo against its own range.
Which authorities' rules are quoted here?: 35 documents from 15 countries. Each quote is from the issuing authority's own page, linked beside it, with the date we read it. Rules change: the official page is the one that counts.
Does the check mean my photo will be accepted?: No. The check compares your photo with the published rules as we read them on the date each page gives. Only the authority decides whether it accepts a photo.
Is my photo uploaded?: No. The check runs in your browser and the photo stays on your device. The one exception is the Detail check, which is opt-in and comes with a document's photo.