What size is an Irish passport photo?

Print: minimum 35 × 45 mm and maximum 38 × 50 mm. Digital: at least 715 × 951 pixels, JPEG, no more than 9 MB, in colour, and not a scanned photo.

How many photos do I need for an Irish passport?

Include 4 identical photos with a paper application, taken within the last 6 months.

What background does Ireland require?

A completely plain light grey, white or cream background that gives enough contrast with your head and shoulders.

Does Ireland specify a head height in millimetres?

No. The official guidance describes framing as head to mid-torso and does not publish a chin-to-crown head height, so no millimetre figure is stated here.

Can I take a selfie or use a zoomed photo?

No. Selfies and zoomed photos are not accepted, and digital retouching or filters must not be applied.

Ireland Passport Photo — 35 × 45 mm (up to 38 × 50 mm)

Ireland uses a small range rather than one fixed size: your print must be at least 35 × 45 mm and no more than 38 × 50 mm. The digital photo has its own pixel floor. Verified against the official Irish passport service, September 2026.

Official specification

Print size	Minimum 35 × 45 mm, maximum 38 × 50 mm
Digital size	At least 715 × 951 px, JPEG, ≤ 9 MB, in colour, and not a scanned photo
Background	Completely plain light grey, white or cream — the background must give enough contrast
Framing	Head to mid-torso, with visible space between your head and shoulders and the edge of the photo
Number	Include 4 identical photos with a paper application
Recency	Taken within the last 6 months
Other	No selfies and no zoom; no digital retouching or filters; no red-eye; neutral expression, mouth closed, head not tilted, looking straight at the camera; no uniforms or badge clothing. The photo printed on the passport itself is black and white.

A range, not a single size

Most countries publish one print size. Ireland accepts a band — as long as the print is at least 35 × 45 mm and no larger than 38 × 50 mm, it fits. If you use a 35 × 45 mm preset, stay inside the band and don’t let the crop drift larger.

What the official source does not specify

Two numbers people often ask for are not published by the Irish service: a chin-to-crown head height in millimetres (it describes framing as head-to-mid-torso instead) and a DPI figure (it only asks for a high-resolution image). Those are marked as unverified rather than guessed.

Getting a compliant shot

Shoot against a plain light grey, white or cream wall — see the home photo guide.
Crop to the 35 × 45 mm → 38 × 50 mm band from the size chart.
Print and check it holds true size with the print calibration step and the print sheet.
Keep it unedited and unzoomed — a scan will not be accepted.

Everything runs locally in your browser — the photo never leaves your device.

Official source

Irish passport photo guidelines, ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/photo-guidelines/ — confidence A (official page, retrieved 2026-09-24).