Schengen Visa Photo Size in Pixels
A Schengen visa photo is 35 × 45 mm. At 300 DPI that is about 413 × 531 pixels, and at 600 DPI it is about 827 × 1063. Most consulates want a head height of 32 to 36 mm, measured from chin to the top of the head.
Size table
| Resolution | Pixels (35 × 45 mm) |
|---|---|
| 300 DPI | 413 × 531 |
| 600 DPI | 827 × 1063 |
Pixels depend on resolution, so a printed photo and an upload portal can ask for different numbers. When the portal states pixels or a file size, follow the portal.
What the photo should look like
- Taken in the last 6 months.
- Plain, light background with no pattern or shadow.
- You, facing the camera, with a neutral expression and a closed mouth.
- Both eyes visible. If you wear glasses, there must be no glare on the lenses.
- Face and the top of the shoulders in frame, with nothing covering your forehead or chin.
Why consulates differ
The Schengen area is a group of countries, and each one handles visa applications through its own embassy or an outside centre. They follow the same base standard, but they can add their own limits, such as a maximum file size. If your consulate’s page gives a rule, it beats any general guide, including this one.
Making it with the resizer
- Open the photo resizer.
- Pick “Schengen / EU visa”.
- Move and zoom until your face fills most of the oval.
- Enter the file size limit your consulate gives you, and download.
Check the result at full size before you submit. Your eyes should be sharp and the edge of your hair should not look cut off.
The pixel math
The formula is pixels = millimetres ÷ 25.4 × DPI. For the width at 300 DPI, 35 ÷ 25.4 × 300 is about 413. For the height, 45 ÷ 25.4 × 300 is about 531. Double the DPI and you double both numbers. That’s all the conversion you ever need, for any country.
How big your head should be inside the frame
Head height of 32 to 36 mm out of a 45 mm frame means your head fills roughly 71 to 80 percent of the height. In a 413 × 531 picture, that’s about 378 to 425 pixels from chin to the top of your head. If your head fills much less than that, you’ve cropped too wide. If your hair touches the top edge, you’ve cropped too tight.
Printed or uploaded
If you print at a shop, ask for exactly 35 × 45 mm and tell them not to “fit to page”. Self-service printers often scale the picture and change the size slightly. If a form asks for a digital file, follow the pixel or file size on the form, because it overrides any general number.
Where applications go wrong
- Head too small, because the picture was cropped from a wide shot.
- Soft or blurry printing from a low resolution file.
- Shadows under the chin or on one side of the face.
- Photos with a texture or print on the background, like a curtain.
- Reusing an old photo that no longer looks like you.
A consulate can refuse a photo for any of these, and you may lose your appointment slot. A few minutes spent on the photo is cheaper than a second trip.
Passport photo, visa photo, same thing?
In most Schengen countries the size and head position are the same for a visa photo and a passport photo. The difference is usually small things, like how recent the picture has to be or how it’s attached to the form. Ask your consulate if you plan to reuse a passport photo.
Children and special cases
Rules for babies and young children are often relaxed, but they differ by country. If you’re applying for a child, read your consulate’s guidance rather than assuming adult rules apply.
A short checklist
- 35 × 45 mm, or the pixel size on your form.
- Head about 32 to 36 mm tall.
- Light, plain background.
- Neutral face, eyes visible, no glare on glasses.
- Recent picture, sharp and not filtered.
Sources
Your Schengen country’s embassy or visa centre page is the official source for photo rules. Check it before you upload.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Schengen visa photo size in pixels?
About 413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI, or 827 x 1063 at 600 DPI. Some portals set their own pixel size.
What size is a Schengen photo in mm?
35 mm wide and 45 mm high.
How big should my face be in the photo?
Most consulates follow the ICAO standard, where the head measures 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown.
Can I use my passport photo for a Schengen visa?
Often yes if it is recent and meets the same size and quality rules, but your consulate decides.