Passport · Canada

Canada Passport Photo Size

A printed Canadian passport photo must be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high, with the head between 31 and 36 mm from chin to crown and on a plain, light-coloured background. This is the rule published by the Government of Canada (IRCC), last checked by Maru on 10 October 2026. Maru resizes and checks your photo to match, in your browser.

Source: canada.ca Checked 10 Oct 2026

RequirementCanada Passport Photo Size

Top of headChin

Drop a photo here, or take one.

JPG, PNG, WebP or HEIC · stays on this device

3 rules to meet

  • Print size50 × 70 mm
  • BackgroundPlain, light-coloured
  • Head size (guide)31–36 mm

Processed on this device. Nothing is uploaded.

02 — Requirement

The rule, from the source

Canada Passport Photo Size requirements
Rule Official value Also expressed as
Photo size 50 mm × 70 mm 1.97 × 2.76 in · 591 × 827 px at 300 dpi (conversion)
Head height (chin to crown) 31 mm–36 mm —
Background Plain, light-coloured —

03 — How to

Get it right the first time

  1. 01Take a photo facing the camera against a plain, light wall, or choose one you already have.
  2. 02Drop it into the tool above. Nothing is uploaded; it stays on your device.
  3. 03Drag and zoom until your head sits inside the guide.
  4. 04Press Fix & check. Maru resizes and compresses it, then grades every rule.
  5. 05Download the file and upload it to your application.

Common reasons photos are rejected

  • The photo is not 50 mm wide by 70 mm high. Prints scaled by a phone app or a kiosk often drift by a few millimetres.
  • The face, measured from chin to crown, is shorter than 31 mm or taller than 36 mm. Standing too far from the camera is the usual cause.
  • The background is not plain white or light-coloured, or shadows fall behind your head.
  • The print was taken from the online-renewal file and resized, so the proportions no longer match the printed format.

04 — Questions

Canada Passport Photo Size: questions

What size is a Canadian passport photo?

50 mm wide by 70 mm high, according to canada.ca.

How tall should my face be?

Between 31 mm and 36 mm from chin to crown. Maru's crop guide marks that band so you can line it up before printing.

How do I print it at exactly 50 × 70 mm?

Maru exports the photo at 591 × 827 pixels, which is 50 × 70 mm at 300 dpi. Print it at 100% scale (turn off 'fit to page') on photo paper.

Is the online renewal photo the same?

No. Online renewal uses pixel rules: at least 1,200 × 1,800 pixels and 200 KB to 5 MB. Use the online page for that file.

Is the Canada visa photo the same size?

No. A visitor visa photo frame is at least 35 mm by 45 mm. Use the Canada visa page for that.

Does Maru upload my photo?

No. It stays on your device.

05 — Related

Other requirements

Is this rule wrong?

We treat every report as a tip and check the official source ourselves. Please don't include photos.

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