Check the requested size
Find the width, height, unit, format and file-size limit supplied by the organisation.
Free custom identification photo editor
ID Photo Maker Online
Prepare portraits for employee badges, school identification cards, membership cards, professional licences, security passes and application profiles. Set the exact size, position the face, review the guides and download one photo or a print sheet.
Pixels, mm and inchesHead and shoulder guidesJPG and PNGKB limitPrivate browser processing
How to make an ID photo
Choose one portrait
Use a clear, front-facing head-and-shoulders photo containing only one person.
Crop, position and review
Use automatic positioning as a starting point, then drag, zoom or adjust a reversible crop directly on the preview.
Download the output
Save the individual JPG or PNG, or create a 4 by 6 inch sheet for printing.
ID photo sizes are organisation specific
An identification card is not necessarily a passport or travel document. Employers, schools, professional bodies and access-control systems can choose their own image slot, aspect ratio and upload limit. The included templates are editable starting points.
The 1 × 1 inch and 2 × 2 inch options are useful print layouts. The 35 × 45 mm option is a common portrait format used by some authorities. A custom mode covers exact portal requirements. Confirm the current instructions before submitting.
If you need a travel-document crop, use the Passport Photo Maker. To inspect an existing finished portrait, open the Passport Photo Checker.
Pixels, physical size and DPI
Online systems usually specify pixels. Print instructions may specify millimetres or inches. DPI connects physical size to pixel dimensions. For example, 35 × 45 mm at 300 DPI becomes approximately 413 × 531 pixels after rounding.
Changing DPI changes the pixel output when millimetres or inches are selected. It does not add genuine facial detail to a small source. Begin with a clear, well-lit photo that has enough resolution.
Use the Change Image DPI tool to prepare another print file, or the Aspect Ratio Calculator when a portal gives only proportions.
Face positioning and photo quality
The tool checks for one detectable human face and estimates a centred position. The oval and shoulder marks are visual guides, not an official compliance decision. Keep the full head visible, avoid strong shadows, use even lighting and preserve a natural appearance.
The latest ICAO portrait guidance emphasises recognisable facial detail, accurate tones and controlled lighting for identity portraits. The exact rules still come from the organisation issuing or receiving the ID.
Background colour and alterations
The colour picker fills the canvas, transparent pixels and any padding you add. It does not replace the background behind the person. This avoids silently presenting an altered background as an original photograph.
If your organisation explicitly permits background replacement, prepare a transparent cutout with the Background Remover, then return here. Fine hair, glasses and shadows require careful review.
Single photos, print sheets and upload limits
The single-photo download uses the exact rounded pixel dimensions shown in the editor. JPG supports quality reduction toward a maximum KB limit. PNG is lossless and may remain above a strict file-size ceiling.
The print sheet places as many copies as fit on a 4 × 6 inch, 300 DPI canvas and adds cutting outlines. Print it at exactly 4 × 6 inches with scaling disabled. Home printers and print dialogs can still change the physical result.
If an upload remains too large, try the Reduce Image Size in KB. Use Image Information to verify the downloaded dimensions and format.
Official portrait guidance used for context
These sources describe travel-document portraits and provide useful quality context. They do not define requirements for every employee, school or membership ID.
- ICAO Technical Report on Portrait Quality: portrait capture, detail, colour and print quality guidance.
- U.S. Department of State photo guidance: the official 2 × 2 inch example and head positioning reference.
- UK photographer guidance: the official 35 × 45 mm example and portrait quality notes.
Frequently asked questions
What size should an ID photo be?
There is no universal ID photo size. An employer, school, association, licensing authority or access-control provider may set its own pixel, print and file-size rules. Use the supplied requirements whenever they are available.
Can I make a 1 by 1 or 2 by 2 inch ID photo?
Yes. The tool includes editable 1 by 1 inch and 2 by 2 inch templates at 300 DPI. These are convenient starting points and are not presented as rules for every organisation.
Can I create a 35 by 45 mm photo?
Yes. Choose the 35 by 45 mm template. It converts the physical size to pixels using the selected DPI. At 300 DPI the rounded output is 413 by 531 pixels.
Does the background colour control replace my background?
No. It fills transparent areas and optional outer padding. It does not cut out the person or alter the photographed background. Use a suitable plain background when taking the original photo.
Are photos uploaded to ImgTweak?
No. Face checking, positioning, resizing and export happen in the browser. The face detector downloads after you choose a photo, but your selected portrait is not sent to ImgTweak or the model provider.
Does the tool guarantee that my ID photo will be accepted?
No. It helps with dimensions, framing, format and file size. The organisation receiving the photo decides whether the pose, clothing, background, recency, lighting and overall image are acceptable.
Related ID and application photo tools
Passport Photo Maker
Prepare country-specific passport and application photos
Passport Photo Checker
Inspect an existing finished portrait
Photo and Signature Resizer
Prepare two application files together
Background Remover
Create a transparent cutout when alterations are permitted
Image Information
Verify output dimensions, format and metadata