A size of 3.5 x 4.5 cm is one of the most common photo sizes for application forms and printed documents. It is also written as 35 x 45 mm, and many people call it “passport size”. This guide explains what it means for a digital photo, how many pixels it has, and how to get your photo to that size in a few steps.
What does 3.5 x 4.5 cm mean?
The number describes a printed size: 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm tall. It is the same as 35 x 45 mm, since 1 cm equals 10 mm. A digital photo has no physical size until it is printed, so to make it 3.5 x 4.5 cm we have to decide how many pixels there are per inch. That number is called DPI.
How many pixels is 3.5 x 4.5 cm?
The formula is: pixels = size in mm / 25.4 x DPI. At three common DPI values, the result is:
| DPI | Width x Height in pixels |
|---|---|
| 100 | about 138 x 177 |
| 200 | about 276 x 354 |
| 300 | about 413 x 531 |
At 300 DPI, the photo is sharp enough for good printing, so it is the usual choice when the form does not tell you the DPI. If your form gives a size in pixels instead, follow that, and ignore the table.
The shape of the photo
A 3.5 x 4.5 cm photo has a width-to-height ratio of 7 to 9. It is a fairly tall rectangle. If your photo has a different shape, for example a square or a wide phone photo, you have two options:
- Crop it, which removes the extra part and keeps the face natural. This is nearly always the right choice.
- Stretch it, which forces the photo into the shape and makes the face look thin or wide. Avoid it.
Note that some forms use pixel sizes like 200 x 230, which is a slightly wider shape than 3.5 x 4.5 cm. Follow the exact numbers in your form, and do not assume that they are the same.
How to resize your photo to 3.5 x 4.5 cm
- Open the Photo Resizer and choose your photo.
- In the size preset list, choose 35 x 45 mm. Or type 3.5 as the width and 4.5 as the height, and set the unit to cm.
- Set the DPI. Keep it at 300 unless your form says otherwise.
- If your form has a KB limit, enter the maximum (and the minimum, if any).
- Keep Crop to fit selected.
- Press Resize photo, and check the pixel size and KB under the preview.
- Press Download photo.
The tool works in your browser, so your photo is not uploaded to our website.
Printing the photo at 3.5 x 4.5 cm
If you want a printed photo, take the 300 DPI file (413 x 531 pixels or larger) to a photo shop and ask for a 3.5 x 4.5 cm print. Many shops print several copies on one sheet. Do not use a tiny 20 KB web photo for printing, because it will look soft. For printing, use a larger, high-quality version and do not set a small KB limit.
Common mistakes
- Entering 3.5 x 4.5 but leaving the unit as pixels. That gives a photo only 3 or 4 pixels wide.
- Forgetting the DPI when using cm or mm, which changes the pixel size.
- Stretching a wide photo instead of cropping it.
- Using a photo with the head too small, so that it is hard to see after resizing.
- Ignoring the KB limit that the form also has.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3.5 x 4.5 cm the same as 35 x 45 mm?
Yes, they are exactly the same size.
Is it the same as 2 x 2 inches?
No. Two inches is 5.08 cm, so a 2 x 2 inch photo is larger and square. Always use the size your form gives.
Can I use this size for every form?
Not necessarily. Each form has its own rule. Check the official notification for the exact size and the KB limit.
What if my form gives the size only in cm, but I need to upload pixels?
Use the tool with the cm size and the DPI, and it will work out the pixels for you. Read our guide on pixels, KB, cm and DPI for more.
Sarkari Photo Tools is an independent website and is not connected to any government department. Please always check the official instructions of your form.