Canada Passport Photo: Size, Requirements & Free Maker Canada Passport Photo requirements (2026)
| Photo size | 50 × 70 mm (1.97 × 2.76 in) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to crown) | 31 – 36 mm |
| Digital size | 1200 × 1800 px (accepted: 1200×1800 to 3000×4500 px (2:3 portrait), online renewal only) |
| File size | 200 KB – 5 MB |
| Format | JPEG (.jpg), colour |
| Background | Plain white or light grey |
| Glasses | Allowed only if the eyes are clearly visible, with no glare or tint. |
✔ Based on the official source: Government of Canada – Passport photos. Last checked October 2026.
Good to know
- Printed photos must be taken by a commercial photographer, who stamps the back.
- Digital photos (online renewal) must come straight from the camera file and include the studio's details.
Canada requires a commercial photographer for passport photos. Use this tool to check your framing or for practice — the official photo must come from a studio.
Canada Passport Photo size in cm, inches and pixels
| Millimetres | 50 × 70 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 5 × 7 cm |
| Inches | 1.97 × 2.76 in |
| Pixels for online upload | 1200 × 1800 px (accepted: 1200×1800 to 3000×4500 px (2:3 portrait), online renewal only) |
| Pixels for printing (300 DPI) | 591 × 827 px |
| Pixels for printing (600 DPI) | 1181 × 1654 px |
| Aspect ratio (width:height) | 5:7 |
| File size | 200 KB–5 MB |
How to make your Canada passport photo at home
- Take the photo. Stand in front of a plain wall in soft daylight. Have someone take the picture at eye level, showing your head and shoulders.
- Upload it above. The tool finds your face, straightens it, removes the background and sizes your head to 31–36 mm.
- Check and adjust. Use the guides and the photo check. Drag or use the sliders if you want a different crop.
- Download. Get the 1200 × 1800 px file for online forms, or a 4×6 in / A4 sheet to print and cut.
Common reasons a Canada passport photo is rejected
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Head too big or too small — the head height must be 31–36 mm.
- Smiling, mouth open, or eyes not clearly visible.
- Glare on glasses, or hair covering the eyes or eyebrows.
- Blurry, low-resolution, or heavily filtered photos (no beauty filters).
- An old photo — most countries want one taken within the last 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Canada passport photo?
50 × 70 mm (5 × 7 cm, or 1.97 × 2.76 in). The head, measured from the chin to the top of the head, must be 31–36 mm tall.
What is the Canada passport photo size in pixels?
For online applications use 1200 × 1800 px (accepted: 1200×1800 to 3000×4500 px (2:3 portrait), online renewal only), file size 200 KB–5 MB. For printing, the photo is 591 × 827 px at 300 DPI. The downloads from this tool are already at these sizes.
Is there a free Canada passport photo checker?
Yes — the tool above checks your photo after you upload it: head size, head tilt, facing the camera, eyes open, neutral expression and resolution. It flags problems before you submit, though only the issuing authority can make the final decision.
What background colour is required?
Plain white or light grey, with no shadows, patterns or objects. The tool replaces your background automatically.
Can I wear glasses?
Allowed only if the eyes are clearly visible, with no glare or tint.
Can I take the photo with my phone?
Yes. Ask someone to take it at eye level from about 1.2 m away, in soft even light, against any plain wall. Upload it here and the tool crops, sizes and cleans the background. Then download the digital file or print the sheet.
How do I print it?
Download the 4×6 in or A4 print sheet and print it at 100% (“actual size”) on photo paper — at home or at any photo kiosk. Cut along the grey lines.