How to Print Passport Photos

Make a free print sheet below, then print it at home, from your phone, in a store or online, at the exact official size.

By the PixPassport team · Updated · 8 min read

  • Free
  • Any paper size
  • HD 300 DPI option
  • Crop lines
  • Any country

How to Print Passport Photos: The Short Answer

Print your passport photo sheet on photo paper at 100% (actual size), with "fit to page" turned off. No printer? Upload the sheet to a store photo app and order a standard 4×6 print. Either way, measure one photo before you cut.

Print Passport Photos in 4 Steps

The process is the same wherever you print: one correctly sized digital photo, one print sheet, one print.

  1. Step 1: Get a compliant digital photo

    Start with a photo cropped to your country's size, with a plain light background and your head correctly positioned.

  2. Step 2: Make a print sheet

    Upload the photo to the free tool on this page, pick the photo size and your paper (4×6, A4, Letter or any other size), and download the sheet: free in standard quality, or in 300 DPI HD.

  3. Step 3: Print at 100% scale

    Print on photo paper at home, or order a standard print at a store. Always print at actual size with no cropping and no 'fit to page'.

  4. Step 4: Check the size and cut

    Measure one photo with a ruler, then cut along the crop lines with scissors or a paper trimmer.

What Size Is a Passport Photo? Sizes by Country

Print size depends on the country that issues your document. Choose the matching size in the tool, and it builds the sheet at that exact size.

Passport photo sizes by country
CountryPhoto sizeNotes
United States (passport, visa, Green Card)2×2 in (51×51 mm)Head 1 to 1⅜ in (25–35 mm)
United Kingdom35×45 mmHead 29–34 mm
EU / Schengen countries35×45 mmCheck your national rules
Australia35×45 mmPrinted photos for paper forms
Canada50×70 mm (about 2×2¾ in)Two identical photos
China33×48 mmPlain light background

Rules change, so confirm the current requirements on your government's official website before you print. For country-specific tools, use the US passport photo editor or the UK passport size photo maker.

How to print a passport size photo (35×45 mm)

Select 35×45 mm in the tool, then print at 100% on photo paper. A 4×6 sheet holds up to eight 35×45 mm photos when the tool turns it to landscape. A4 and Letter sheets hold two dozen or more, which suits family applications. Measure one photo: it must be exactly 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm tall.

Eight 35×45 mm photos on a 6×4 (landscape 4×6) sheet

How to Print Passport Photos at Home

Printing at home takes about ten minutes once you have a correctly sized photo. You need a color printer, photo paper, a ruler, and scissors or a paper trimmer.

Printer settings that keep the right size

Printer settings for passport photos
SettingChoose
Scale100% / Actual size
Fit to page / Scale to fitOff
BorderlessOff, except for six 2×2 photos on 4×6
Paper typePhoto paper (glossy or matte)
QualityBest / Photo
ColorColor, not grayscale

Windows

Open the sheet, press Ctrl+P, and choose Printer Properties. Set the paper type to photo paper and quality to the highest option. In the print dialog, pick the full-page layout and make sure the picture is not set to fit the frame.

Mac

Press Cmd+P and select Show Details. Set Scale to 100%, turn off Scale to fit paper, and choose your photo paper under Media & Quality.

Print the PDF, not the JPG, at home. The PDF page is already the exact paper size, so most print dialogs keep it at 100% automatically.

Which paper works best?

Use glossy or matte photo paper. Plain office paper is usually rejected because it is not photo quality. A pack of 4×6 photo paper is the cheapest choice, while A4 or Letter paper suits larger batches.

Measure, dry and cut

Let glossy prints dry for a few minutes. Then measure one photo with a ruler and cut along the crop lines. A paper trimmer gives the straightest edges. Never trim into the photo itself.

How to Print Passport Photos From Your Phone

You can make and print the whole sheet from a phone. The only risk is the print dialog, which often defaults to "fit" and shrinks or crops the sheet.

Print a passport photo from an iPhone

  1. Make the sheet in Safari and save it to Photos or Files.
  2. Tap Share, then Print, and choose your AirPrint printer.
  3. Check the preview. It must show the full sheet, not a zoomed crop.
  4. If you cannot control the scale, use a store photo app instead.

Print a passport photo from Android

Open the sheet in Google Photos or Files and tap Print. Choose your printer and the matching paper size, and set the scale to 100% if the dialog offers it. Otherwise, upload the JPG to a store photo app.

How to take a 2×2 passport photo on an iPhone

  1. Stand facing a window, with a plain light wall behind you.
  2. Ask someone to hold the phone at eye level, or use a tripod and the timer.
  3. Use the rear camera. Turn off filters, beauty effects and Portrait mode.
  4. Keep a neutral expression, with both eyes open and your mouth closed.
  5. In Photos, tap Edit, then Crop, and choose the square ratio.
  6. Upload the image to the tool above and check it before you print.

Not sure it passes? Run it through the passport photo checker first.

How to Print Passport Photos at CVS, Walgreens or Walmart

No printer? A standard 4×6 print is one of the cheapest items at any pharmacy or photo counter, and one sheet holds several passport photos. Self-printed photos are accepted by passport offices when they meet the rules, so you can skip the passport service fee.

Passport photo service vs. a standard 4×6 print

Stores sell two different things. The passport photo service means an employee takes your photo and prints two copies. A standard 4×6 print means the store prints the image you upload. Because you already have a compliant sheet, order the standard print.

Steps for any store

  1. Make a 4×6 sheet with the tool and download the JPG.
  2. Open the store's photo website or app and upload the file.
  3. Choose a standard 4×6 print, not the passport photo service.
  4. Select the option that keeps the full image, and turn off auto-enhance.
  5. Pick up the print, measure one photo, and cut along the crop lines.
Some stores may flag or refuse passport-sized layouts. If that happens, try another branch or print at home.

CVS

Use the CVS Photo site or app and order a 4×6 print for store pickup. The passport service is a separate counter option.

Walgreens

Use the Walgreens Photo site or app, pick a 4×6 print, and choose store pickup. Prices and offers vary by store.

Walmart

Use Walmart Photo, order a 4×6 print, and collect it in store. Walmart also lists one of the lowest prices for its own passport photo service.

How much do passport photos cost?

Prices below come from recent third-party price guides. They vary by store and change often, so confirm before you go.

Typical passport photo printing costs in the US
OptionTypical priceNotes
Walmart Photo (two printed 2×2 photos)About $7.64Lowest in-store price in recent roundups
USPS (where offered)About $15Often by appointment
CVS passport photo service (two 2×2 photos)About $17.99Varies by store
Walgreens passport photo serviceVaries by storeCheck the counter or Walgreens Photo
Standard 4×6 print of your own sheetAbout $0.16–$0.39Depends on the retailer
Home printingWell under $1 per sheetPhoto paper plus a little ink

The saving is clear: your own sheet as a 4×6 print costs cents, while the passport service costs several dollars.

Ready to print?

Make a free print sheet for any paper size in under a minute.

Create print sheet

How to Order Passport Photos Online

Online print services deliver 4×6 prints to your door. Allow a few days for delivery, so plan ahead if you have a deadline.

  1. Download your JPG sheet from the tool above.
  2. Upload it to an online photo print service.
  3. Choose 4×6 (10×15 cm) in glossy or matte.
  4. Switch off auto-crop and auto-enhance, then check the preview.
  5. Order, then measure and cut the photos when they arrive.

Need only a digital photo? Make one with the passport photo online tool.

How to Print a 2×2 Photo

US passport, visa and Green Card photos are 2×2 inches. Select the 2×2 inch size in the tool, and it places as many copies as fit on your paper, with crop lines between them.

Print a 2×2 photo on 4×6 paper

Six 2×2 inch photos fit a 4×6 sheet exactly, in two columns and three rows. In the tool, choose 4×6 paper and turn on Borderless print, then print borderless at 100%. Otherwise, the printer adds margins and shrinks the photos. See the 4×6 passport photo template for more layouts, or use the print template generator for other paper sizes.

Six 2×2 in photos, borderless 4×6
Two 2×2 in photos, with margin

Print a 2×2 photo on Letter or A4

Letter and A4 sheets hold up to 20 copies, which suits family applications. Print at 100% on photo paper, then cut along the crop lines.

Common Printing Mistakes to Avoid

Common passport photo printing mistakes and fixes
MistakeHow to fix it
'Fit to page' switched onTurn it off and set scale to 100%. Otherwise every photo prints at the wrong size.
Paper size mismatchMatch the paper size in the print dialog to the paper in the tray.
Auto-enhance at the storeDisable color correction and red-eye tools. They alter skin tones and backgrounds.
Low-resolution source photoUse the original file. Compressed copies print blurry.
Streaks or bandingRun a nozzle check, then set the paper type to photo paper.
Ink smudges when cuttingLet glossy prints dry for at least five minutes before you handle them.

Check your photo before you print

A perfect print can still be rejected if the photo breaks the rules on background, head size, lighting or expression. Run it through the passport photo checker first, so you do not waste paper and ink.

Printing Passport Photos: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I print passport photos at home?

Upload your passport photo to the print sheet tool on this page, choose the photo size and the paper in your printer, and download the sheet. Print it on photo paper at 100% (actual size) with 'fit to page' turned off. Then measure one photo and cut along the crop lines.

How do I print a passport size photo?

First crop your photo to the size your country requires, such as 2×2 inches for the US or 35×45 mm for the UK and EU. Next, place it on a print sheet with the free tool on this page. Finally, print the sheet at 100% scale on photo paper, or order it as a standard 4×6 print at a store.

Can I print my own passport photos?

Yes. Most passport offices, including the US State Department and HM Passport Office, accept self-printed photos if they meet the size and quality rules. The photo needs the correct dimensions, photo-quality paper, sharp detail, and no ink smears, banding or pixelation.

How do I print passport photos at CVS?

Download the JPG print sheet, upload it to the CVS Photo website or app, and order a standard 4×6 print for pickup. Pick the option that keeps the full image so the store does not crop or resize it. Measure one photo when you collect the print.

How do I print passport photos at Walgreens?

Upload the JPG sheet to the Walgreens Photo website or app, choose a standard 4×6 print, and select store pickup. Turn off any auto-crop or auto-enhance option. If the order flow warns about passport photos, try another store or print at home.

How much is a passport photo at CVS?

Recent price guides list the standard CVS passport photo service at about $17.99 for two printed 2×2 inch photos. Prices vary by store, so confirm at the counter. If you already have a compliant photo, a standard 4×6 print of your own sheet costs far less.

How much is a passport photo at Walgreens?

Walgreens sets passport photo prices by store and changes them often, so check the Walgreens Photo site or ask at the counter. Printing your own sheet as a standard 4×6 print usually costs a fraction of the passport service fee.

What is the cheapest way to get passport photos printed?

Printing a sheet yourself is the cheapest route. A standard 4×6 print usually costs between about $0.16 and $0.39, and home printing costs well under $1 per sheet. Among in-store passport services, Walmart Photo has recently listed about $7.64 for two prints.

How do I print a 2×2 photo?

Select the 2×2 inch size in the tool, choose your paper, and download the sheet. Print it at 100% on photo paper, then measure one photo. It must be exactly 2 inches square before you cut.

How do I print a 2×2 photo on 4×6 paper?

Six 2×2 inch photos fit a 4×6 sheet exactly, in two columns and three rows. In the tool, choose 4×6 paper and turn on Borderless print, then print at 100% with borderless printing on, so the printer does not add margins. Measure one photo to confirm the size.

How do I print a passport photo from my iPhone?

Save the sheet to Photos or Files, tap Share, then Print, and choose your AirPrint printer. Check that the preview is not cropped or zoomed. If the dialog gives no scale control, upload the sheet to a store app such as CVS or Walgreens, or print from a computer.

How do I print a 2×2 photo from my phone?

Make the sheet in your phone browser, save it, then print through AirPrint, your Android print service, or a store photo app. Always check the preview for cropping, and measure the finished photo.

How do I take a 2×2 passport photo on an iPhone?

Stand facing a window against a plain light wall, and ask someone to hold the phone at eye level. Use the rear camera, turn off filters and Portrait mode, and keep a neutral expression. Then crop the photo to a square in Photos, and upload it to the tool on this page.

What size is a passport photo?

It depends on the country. The US uses 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). The UK, EU, Australia and many other countries use 35×45 mm. Canada uses 50×70 mm and China uses 33×48 mm. Always confirm the current rules on your government's official website.

Why are my printed passport photos the wrong size?

The printer or print service almost certainly scaled the image. Turn off 'fit to page', 'scale to fit' and 'fill entire paper', set the scale to 100%, and match the paper size in the dialog to the tray. At a store, choose the no-crop option.

What paper should I use to print passport photos?

Use glossy or matte photo paper. Plain office paper is usually rejected because it is not photo quality. A pack of 4×6 photo paper is the cheapest choice for home printing, and a store 4×6 print is already on photo paper.

Can I print passport photos on a laser printer?

Avoid it. Laser printers on plain paper do not produce photo-quality prints, and passport offices often reject them. Use an inkjet or dedicated photo printer with photo paper, or order a 4×6 print from a store.

How do I order passport photos online?

Make your print sheet, then upload the JPG to an online photo print service. Choose a 4×6 (10×15 cm) glossy or matte print, switch off auto-crop and auto-enhance, and place the order. Cut the photos along the crop lines when they arrive.

How do I take and print a passport photo myself?

Take the photo in daylight against a plain light wall, crop it to your country's size, and check it with a compliance checker. Then make a print sheet with the free tool on this page and print it at home or at a store. The whole process takes about ten minutes.

Is it cheaper to print passport photos yourself?

Usually, yes. One 4×6 sheet holds several photos and costs a fraction of an in-store passport service. If you already own a printer and photo paper, home printing costs even less per photo.