45x45 mm Photo: the Perfect Size for your Document needs

A 45x45 mm (4.5x4.5 cm) photo is often needed when you apply for a visa, ID card, or other official documents. To avoid any delays or rejections, it's very important that your photo matches these exact requirements. We make it easy and stress-free to take a 45x45 mm photo that meets all the requirements at PhotoGov. Just send us a selfie or picture, and we'll resize, trim, and optimize it to the right size for digital or printed submission.

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ZZ photo photo

Get photo for: Photo 45x45 mm (4.5x4.5 cm)

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Why Use Our 45x45 mm Photo Service?

Exact Sizing

Your photo is automatically resized and cropped to the right size of 45x45 mm

Background Correction

This fixes any shadows, textures, or patterns so that the background is always white or light-colored

Image Enhancement

Changes the brightness, contrast, and sharpness of the image to make it look clear and professional

Digital and print versions

Get your photo ready to send in either format, online or in print

Compliance Guarantee

Meets all official standards for 45x45 mm pictures for a variety of documents

Requirements for 45x45 mm photos

Your 45x45 mm photo must meet certain technical and visual standards in order to be accepted.

Here's a list of everything you need to do:

45mm
45mm
27mm
7.5mm
Layout, size and scale by indentation for the ZZ photo
  • Parameter Size 45 x 45 mm (4.5 × 4.5 cm)
  • File Size Minimum 300 DPI
  • Image Format JPEG or PNG
  • File Size Usually less than 1 MB
  • Background Color White or light-colored (no patterns or shadows)
  • Able to be printed Yes
  • Submission in digital form Consulate systems and official online application portals accept this

*Data from government agencies

Guidelines about how to look

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Requirement for Aspect

Expression on the face

Neutral: lips closed, no frowning or smiling

Eyes

Wide open, plainly visible, and staring straight at the camera

Position of the Head

Centered, looking straight ahead, no tilting

Coverage of the Face

Should take up 70–80% of the height of the picture

Clothing

Don't wear white tops; dark, solid hues are better

Eyeglasses

Not allowed unless it's for medical reasons

Coverings for the head

Face must be fully visible, however religious or medical reasons are fine

Lighting

The lighting should be even, with no shadows or reflections on the face or background

Step-by-step instructions for making your 45x45 mm photo

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  1. Choose the Type of Document

    From the selection of document types on PhotoGov.net, choose "45x45 mm Photo"
  2. Take a Picture

    Use a camera with a high resolution or a smartphone. Stand 1.5 to 2 meters away from a plain white or light-colored wall. Make sure the lighting is right
  3. Put the photo up

    Send in your picture for processing. Make sure your face is well-lit and your attitude is calm
  4. Resize and optimize automatically

    Our technology will cut the photo down to 45x45 mm, clean up the background, and change the quality of the image
  5. Get it and send it in

    Download your finished photo file so you may submit it digitally or print it off to use in person

Best Ways to Use Your 45x45 mm Photo

  • Lighting: Use soft, even light so that there aren't any shadows on the face. The best light is natural
  • Background: Stand with your back to a wall that is white or light-colored. Don't have any patterns or textures in the backdrop
  • Positioning: Make sure your face is in the middle and facing forward. Your face should take up 70–80% of the height of the picture
  • Wear dark, solid-colored clothes. Stay away from shirts that are white or too shiny
  • How to take your own Photo 45x45 mm photo

    If you don’t want to go through the trouble and expense of locating and hiring a professional photographer to take your picture, you can simply take your own from home. So long as you follow the below instructions carefully, you can capture the perfect photo photo yourself:

    1. Take a picture of yourself

    Open up the PhotoGov.net photo service and take your picture. Make sure you’re not wearing any headcovers or glasses, do not wear a uniform, and keep your expression neutral. Ensure that the area is well-lit and that you are standing against a neutral background.

    How to take selfies for a photo

    Clean background. More light. Not a blurry photo.
    Watch "How to take a photo" (00:46)

    2. Upload your photo to PhotoGov AI

    Next, upload your image and process it through our site.

    Upload your photo photo to PhotoGov Upload your photo photo to PhotoGov

    3. Receive your Passport Photo

    Finally, you can download your ID photo. These images can be printed off, or you can simply use them as digital photos.

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    Avoid These Common Mistakes

  • Using a passport-size photo instead of the minimum 45x45 millimeter size
  • Wearing glasses or other things that block your face
  • Pictures that are grainy, low-resolution, or too bright
  • Background with patterns, shadows, or things
  • Smiling or tilting your head PhotoGov automatically finds and fixes these problems as it is processing
  • How to take Photo 45x45 mm photos for babies and kids

    When taking pictures of babies and children for photo, many of the same rules apply; for example, they must still adhere to the dress code, and the photograph must be high-quality and well-lit. With that being said, the State Department is generally more forgiving when it comes to the neutral expression requirement.

    • If you are photographing a newborn:
    • Spread a white sheet out over the floor.
    • Place the baby down on the sheet and take their photograph against it.

    For slightly older babies:

    • Prop them up in a child’s chair against a white sheet.
    • If they are still unable to hold up their head, prop it up for them using a hand behind the sheet. Ensure no one else is visible in the shot.
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    More tips for being compliant

  • No retouching: Don't use applications or filters that change the way your face looks
  • Sharpness: Make sure your picture is clear and not pixelated or blurry
  • Face Coverage: Your face should take up 70–80% of the height of the picture
  • File Size and Type: JPEG or PNG, and less than 1 MB for digital submission
  • Guidelines for Submission and Printing

  • For Physical Submission: Make sure the photo is exactly 45x45 mm and print it on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper

  • To submit digitally, upload your photo to the right portal. Make sure the file size and resolution are correct

  • FAQ

    • The picture should be 45 mm by 45 mm (4.5 cm by 4.5 cm).
    • Yes, as long as the picture satisfies the requirements. Send it to PhotoGov so that it can fix itself.
    • No. You can't wear glasses unless you need them for medical reasons. If you wear glasses, be sure there is no glare.
    • Your photo should have been taken in the last six months to show how you look now.
    • You can change and reprocess your photo with PhotoGov until it is accepted.
    • Yes, as long as the requirements for such documents are similar.