China Passport Photo Size: Exact Requirements (2026)

Getting your China passport photo rejected means delays, re-submissions, and wasted money. Chinese authorities are strict about photo specifications — the dimensions, background, head positioning, and file size all must fall within narrow tolerances.

This guide covers every requirement for the People's Republic of China (PRC) ordinary passport photo, including exact pixel dimensions at multiple DPI settings and how to prepare your photo using free browser-based tools.

China Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance

Exact Dimensions: Millimeters, Inches, and Pixels

The official print size for a China passport photo is 33 mm wide × 48 mm tall. In inches, that converts to approximately 1.3″ × 1.89″.

Pixel dimensions depend on the resolution (DPI) of your image:

For online passport applications through the Chinese government portal, submit a JPEG image between 40 KB and 120 KB. Files outside this range get rejected automatically.

If you are printing at a photo studio, 300 DPI is the standard. For self-printing at home on a high-resolution printer, 600 DPI produces sharper results. Either way, the physical print must measure exactly 33 × 48 mm.

The aspect ratio is 33:48, which is roughly 1:1.45. This is taller and narrower than the common 2:3 ratio used for most camera photos, so you will need to crop your image to match.

Head Position and Framing Rules

Chinese passport photo regulations are precise about how your face appears in the frame:

• Head height: The distance from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including hair) must be 28 mm to 33 mm in the printed photo. That translates to about 58% to 69% of the total photo height.
• Face centered: Your face should sit in the horizontal center of the frame with roughly equal space on both sides.
• Top margin: Leave a small gap between the top of your head and the top edge of the photo — roughly 3 mm to 5 mm.
• Shoulders visible: Both shoulders should appear at the bottom of the frame, straight and level.
• Head straight: No tilting or turning. Face the camera directly, chin level.

A common rejection reason is the head being too large or too small in the frame. If your chin-to-crown measurement falls outside the 28–33 mm range on the printed photo, it will be rejected.

Background Requirements

The background must be plain white with no patterns, shadows, or gradients. Specifically:

• No off-white, cream, or light gray — pure white only
• No visible shadows cast by your head or body onto the background
• Uniform brightness across the entire background
• No objects, furniture, or other people visible

When taking the photo at home, stand at least one meter in front of a white wall. Use even lighting from both sides to eliminate shadows behind your head. A single overhead light creates harsh shadows below the chin and behind the ears — both grounds for rejection.

Clothing and Appearance Rules

Clothing:

• Do not wear white or very light-colored tops. White clothing blends into the white background, making it look like a floating head. Choose dark or medium-toned clothing instead.
• Avoid uniforms unless the photo is for an official or military passport.
• No hats, scarves covering the head, or headbands. Religious head coverings are permitted if they do not obscure the face.

Expression:

• Neutral expression with mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows.
• Both eyes open and looking directly at the camera.

Glasses:

• Prescription glasses are acceptable as long as there is no glare on the lenses.
• No tinted lenses or sunglasses.
• The frames must not obscure your eyes. If your frames are thick, consider removing them for the photo.

Hair:

• Hair must not cover your face, eyes, or eyebrows.
• Ears do not need to be visible, but the full outline of your face must be clear.

Makeup and accessories:

• Minimal, natural makeup is fine. Heavy makeup that significantly alters your appearance is not.
• Remove earrings, piercings, or other accessories that could cast shadows or obscure facial features.

How to Prepare Your China Passport Photo

You do not need expensive software or a trip to a photo studio. With a decent smartphone camera and Pixotter's free browser-based tools, you can prepare a compliant passport photo in minutes.

Step 1: Take the Photo

Use a smartphone or digital camera. Stand in front of a white wall with even lighting. Have someone else take the photo from chest height at about 1.5 meters distance. Use the rear camera — it produces sharper images than the front-facing selfie camera.

Step 2: Crop to the 33:48 Ratio

Open your image in any basic photo editor and crop to a 33:48 aspect ratio (or approximately 390 × 567 pixels). Position your face so the chin-to-crown distance fills 58–69% of the frame height.

Step 3: Resize to the Correct Pixel Dimensions

Head to Pixotter's resize tool and set the dimensions to 390 × 567 pixels for standard 300 DPI output. The resize happens entirely in your browser — your photo never leaves your device.

If you need the higher-resolution version, resize to 780 × 1134 pixels instead.

Step 4: Compress to Meet File Size Limits

For online applications, your JPEG file must be between 40 KB and 120 KB. Use Pixotter's compression tool to bring the file size into range. Start with a quality setting around 80% and adjust from there. The compressor shows you the output file size in real time, so you can dial it in precisely.

Step 5: Verify Before Submitting

Before submitting or printing:

• Confirm dimensions are 390 × 567 px (or 780 × 1134 px)
• Confirm file size is between 40 KB and 120 KB
• Check that the background is pure white with no shadows
• Verify head height proportions (28–33 mm equivalent in the frame)
• Make sure the image is JPEG format

Common Mistakes That Get China Passport Photos Rejected

Wrong background color. Off-white walls, gray walls, or walls with visible texture all cause rejections. If your wall is not pure white, use a white sheet or posterboard.

Shadows behind the head. This happens when a single light source is positioned directly above or to one side. Use two light sources or position yourself further from the wall.

White clothing. It seems intuitive to wear white for a white-background photo, but the opposite is true. Your shoulders disappear into the background.

File size outside the 40–120 KB range. Raw smartphone photos are typically 3–8 MB. You must compress them significantly. Conversely, over-compressing below 40 KB makes the image too blurry to pass review.

Head too large or too small. The 28–33 mm chin-to-crown rule is enforced. If your face fills the entire frame or appears as a small dot in the center, resize and re-crop.

Outdated photo. The photo must be taken within the past 6 months. If your appearance has changed significantly (different hair color, gained or lost weight, new glasses), take a fresh photo even if the old one is recent.

China Passport Photo vs. Other Countries

Every country sets its own passport photo dimensions. If you travel frequently, you will notice the differences:

• China: 33 × 48 mm — taller and narrower than most
• India: 51 × 51 mm (2″ × 2″) — square format. See our Indian passport photo guide for details.
• Canada: 50 × 70 mm — the largest standard size. Our Canada passport photo guide covers the full specs.
• UK: 35 × 45 mm — close to China's size but slightly wider. Check the UK passport photo requirements.
• Australia: 35 × 45 mm — same as the UK. Details in our Australia passport photo guide.

The key takeaway: never reuse a passport photo from one country's application for another. The dimensions, head positioning rules, and background requirements vary enough that a photo valid for one country may be rejected by another.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact pixel size for a China passport photo?

At 300 DPI (the standard for photo printing), a China passport photo is 390 × 567 pixels. At 600 DPI, it is 780 × 1134 pixels. Both produce the required 33 × 48 mm print size.

Can I wear glasses in a China passport photo?

Yes, prescription glasses are allowed as long as there is no glare on the lenses and the frames do not cover your eyes. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not permitted.

What file size does the Chinese online passport application accept?

The online application requires a JPEG file between 40 KB and 120 KB. Use Pixotter's compress tool to adjust your file size to fit this range.

Can I take a China passport photo with my phone?

Yes. Modern smartphones produce images that far exceed the resolution requirements. Use the rear camera, stand in front of a white wall with even lighting, and have someone else take the photo. Then resize and compress to meet the specifications.

Does China accept digital passport photos with a blue background?

No. China requires a white background for all ordinary passport photos. Blue backgrounds are used for some other Chinese documents (like the Hukou), but the passport strictly requires white.

How recent does a China passport photo need to be?

The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. If your appearance has changed noticeably since the photo was taken, you need a new one regardless of the date.

What happens if my China passport photo is rejected?

You will receive a notification specifying the reason. Common fixes include retaking the photo with proper lighting to eliminate shadows, changing to non-white clothing, or adjusting the crop so head height falls within the 28–33 mm requirement. Re-submit after correcting the issue.

Is the China visa photo the same size as the passport photo?

China visa photos use the same 33 × 48 mm dimensions and white background requirement as passport photos. The same photo can typically be used for both, provided it meets all other requirements. For more visa photo details, see our visa photo size guide.