50x70 Photo Size (5 x 7 cm) — Canadian Passport Standard
The 50x70 mm photo is the official passport format issued by Service Canada and IRCC, and one of the only major government photo sizes in the world that is not the standard 35x45 mm or 2x2 inch. Anyone applying for a new Canadian passport, renewing an existing one, or submitting a child's passport application needs a photo measuring exactly 50 mm wide by 70 mm tall — that is 5 x 7 cm or roughly 1.97 x 2.76 inches. Canadian passport rejections are common because the size is unique and most photo booths default to the smaller 35x45 mm format. This guide explains the official 50x70 mm specifications, the strict 31-36 mm head height rule, file resolution, the photographer certification requirement, and how to generate a print-ready file with the free online tool below.
50x70 Photo Size (Quick Answer)
The 50x70 photo size measures 50 mm × 70 mm (5 × 7 cm or 1.97 × 2.76 inches). At 300 DPI it equals 591 × 827 pixels. It is the official Canadian passport photo size required by Service Canada and IRCC.
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Millimeters | 50 × 70 mm |
| Centimeters | 5 × 7 cm |
| Inches | 1.97 × 2.76 in |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 591 × 827 px |
| Pixels @ 600 DPI | 1181 × 1654 px |
| Aspect Ratio | 5 : 7 |
Need a Canadian 50x70 photo right now? Skip the trip to the photo store.
Create 50x70 Photo →50x70 Photo Visual Reference
Portrait orientation, 5:7 ratio
The 50x70 mm format is noticeably taller and wider than the 35x45 mm European standard. The head occupies the upper-middle portion of the frame with a 31-36 mm chin-to-crown measurement. Shoulders are framed clearly and there is more whitespace above the head than in other passport formats.
50x70 Photo Size in Pixels
The 50x70 mm photo translates into precise pixel values based on the DPI of the file. Canada's online portals validate uploads against the 300 DPI standard:
50x70 mm in Pixels
| DPI | Pixel Width | Pixel Height | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 DPI (screen only) | 142 px | 198 px | Not accepted |
| 150 DPI | 295 px | 413 px | Below biometric minimum |
| 300 DPI (standard) | 591 px | 827 px | Canadian passport submissions |
| 600 DPI (high-res) | 1181 px | 1654 px | Archive / professional print |
Need a ready-made 591×827 pixel image? Use the Passport Photo Maker to automatically create a compliant Canadian passport photo at exact pixel size.
The 50x70 mm format equals 591 × 827 pixels at 300 DPI — the largest single-photo size among major passport standards. For a full pixel reference across every country, see our complete passport photo size in pixels guide.
50x70 mm in Every Unit
Canadian passport rules are published in millimeters, but global photo printers and online uploaders often expect centimeters, inches, or pixels. Use the conversions below to match any requirement.
50x70 vs 35x45 Photo Size
Canadians regularly mix up the two photo sizes because both are used by IRCC for different documents. The passport requires 50x70 mm, but visas, study permits, and PR cards use the smaller 35x45 mm format.
| Requirement | 50x70 mm (Canada Passport) | 35x45 mm (Canada Visa / PR) |
|---|---|---|
| Physical size | 50 × 70 mm (5 × 7 cm) | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Inches | 1.97 × 2.76 in | 1.38 × 1.77 in |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 591 × 827 px | 413 × 531 px |
| Aspect ratio | 5 : 7 | 7 : 9 |
| Head size (chin to crown) | 31 – 36 mm | 31 – 36 mm |
| Background | Plain white / light grey | Plain white |
| Photographer certification | Required (printed photos) | Not required for digital uploads |
| Color or B&W | Both accepted | Both accepted |
| Used for | Canadian passport (adult & child) | Visitor visa, study permit, work permit, PR card |
If you need the smaller Canadian visa format instead, see our dedicated 35x45 photo size guide and the Canada visa photo tool.
Canada-Specific Photo Rules
The 50x70 mm photo follows ICAO Doc 9303 biometric guidance but has several Canada-only requirements you will not find in any other passport standard.
| Rule | Canadian Passport Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 50 × 70 mm (5 × 7 cm) exactly |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 31 mm minimum, 36 mm maximum |
| Total photo orientation | Portrait (taller than wide) |
| Background | Plain white or light grey, uniform, no shadows |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Photographer details | Commercial photographer name, studio address & date printed on the back |
| Quantity | 2 identical photos required for printed submissions |
| Black & white | Accepted (uniquely — most countries require color) |
| Guarantor (where applicable) | Guarantor signature on the back of one photo when the application requires one |
The 31-36 mm Head Size Rule
The single most common reason Canadian passport photos are rejected is incorrect head height. Unlike many other passports that use a 70-80% face-to-frame ratio, Canada specifies an absolute millimeter range.
| Measurement | Acceptable Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Chin to crown (top of head) | 31 mm – 36 mm | Includes hair if it is part of natural head shape |
| Top of head to top of photo | ~3 mm whitespace | Small visible gap above the head |
| Eye line from photo bottom | ~36 mm – 47 mm | Eyes roughly two-thirds up the photo |
| Face occupation | ~50% of total photo height | Smaller proportion than US 2x2 standard |
Our Passport Photo Maker measures these distances automatically using face detection and adjusts the crop until the head falls inside the 31-36 mm window.
Want the head size measured automatically?
Create 50x70 Photo →Create Your 50x70 Photo Size Online
Cropping a phone photo to exactly 50 mm × 70 mm with the head between 31 and 36 mm is extremely hard in standard photo editors — most snap to common 4:5 or 3:4 ratios, not the unusual 5:7 Canadian passport ratio.
Our tool handles the Canada-specific math for you. Upload any portrait, the system detects your face, locks the crop to 5:7, validates the chin-to-crown height, and exports a 591 × 827 pixel file plus a printable 4 × 6 inch sheet ready for a commercial photographer to certify.
Upload your photo and our Passport Photo Maker automatically:
- Crops the photo correctly to the 5:7 Canadian ratio
- Centers your face within the 31–36 mm head height rule
- Applies proper dimensions in millimeters and pixels
- Creates a compliant photo at the file-size limit of IRCC portals
- Generates a print-ready 4 × 6 inch sheet with 2 copies of the photo
50x70 mm Photo Requirements
| Photo size | 50 mm × 70 mm (5 × 7 cm / 1.97 × 2.76 in) |
|---|---|
| Width | 50 mm (591 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Height | 70 mm (827 px @ 300 DPI) |
| Background | Plain white or light grey, uniform, no shadows |
| Head size (chin to crown) | 31 mm – 36 mm (strict range) |
| Resolution | 300 DPI standard, up to 600 DPI accepted |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) for digital submissions |
| Color | Color or black-and-white both accepted |
| Glasses | Not permitted (banned since July 2016) |
| Expression | Neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Headwear | Not permitted unless worn for religious reasons |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Back-of-photo info | Commercial photographer name, studio address & date required on one copy |
How to Create a 50x70 Photo Size
- Capture a clean source image — Stand 4-5 feet from a plain white wall in soft, even daylight. Face the camera squarely with a neutral expression and closed mouth.
- Open the Passport Photo Maker — Visit the ClonyPDF Passport Photo Maker and drag your image into the upload area.
- Select the Canada Passport preset — Choose the 50 × 70 mm Canada passport option. The tool locks the crop ratio, the 31-36 mm chin-to-crown rule, and the file-size limit automatically.
- Auto-crop and verify — Face detection centers your head within the 5:7 frame. The tool warns you if the head height falls outside the 31-36 mm range.
- Download the result — Export a 591 × 827 pixel JPEG plus a print-ready 4 × 6 inch sheet with 2 copies. For printed submissions, take the sheet to a commercial photographer for certification on the back.
Printing the 50x70 mm Photo
Service Canada requires two identical printed photos for passport applications submitted by mail or in person. The 50x70 mm size prints two-up on a standard 4 × 6 inch (10 × 15 cm) photo paper — the same paper every Walmart, Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Loblaws photo kiosk uses.
| Print Sheet | Copies per Sheet | Recommended Paper |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 in (10 × 15 cm) | 2 copies of 50 × 70 mm | Glossy photo paper, 200-250 gsm |
| A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | 6 copies of 50 × 70 mm | Glossy photo paper, 200 gsm |
| Letter (8.5 × 11 in) | 6 copies of 50 × 70 mm | Glossy photo paper, 200 gsm |
For paper Canadian passport applications, the printed photos generally need to be certified by a commercial photographer — refer to the latest official Service Canada specification for full certification rules before submission.
Why 50x70 Photos Get Rejected
Wrong Dimensions
Photo printed at 35x45 mm or 51x51 mm instead of the precise 50x70 mm Canadian standard. Most overseas photo booths default to other sizes.
Head Outside 31-36 mm
Chin-to-crown measurement is below 31 mm (head too small) or above 36 mm (head too large). The most common Canadian-specific rejection reason.
Wrong Background
Off-white, beige, blue, or textured backgrounds are rejected. Canada accepts only plain white or plain light grey.
Missing Photographer Certification
No commercial photographer name, studio address, or date on the back of the printed photo. Required for paper-based passport submissions.
Poor Lighting
Shadows on the wall behind the head, harsh side lighting, or overexposure that washes out skin tones.
Face Not Centered
Head positioned too far left, right, or low in the frame. The eye line should sit at the upper-middle of the photo.
Low Resolution
JPEG saved below 591 × 827 pixels prints pixelated at 50 × 70 mm. Minimum acceptable DPI is 300.
Glasses, Hats, or Smile
Eyewear reflections (banned since 2016), non-religious head coverings, and open-mouth smiles fail biometric checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 50x70 photo size?
A 50x70 photo is a passport-format photograph measuring 50 mm wide by 70 mm tall, equivalent to 5 × 7 cm or 1.97 × 2.76 inches. It is the official Canadian passport photo size issued by Service Canada and IRCC.
What is 50x70 mm photo size in pixels?
A 50x70 mm photo is 591 × 827 pixels at 300 DPI and 1181 × 1654 pixels at 600 DPI. The 300 DPI value is the standard for digital Canadian passport submissions.
What is 591x827 photo size?
591x827 pixels is the digital equivalent of the 50 × 70 mm Canadian passport photo at 300 DPI. It uses a 5:7 aspect ratio and is the resolution accepted by IRCC online portals for Canadian passport uploads.
How do I convert a photo to 591x827 pixels?
Upload your image to the ClonyPDF Passport Photo Maker, select the Canada Passport preset, and the tool will automatically crop and resize the photo to exactly 591 × 827 pixels at 300 DPI with the correct 5:7 aspect ratio.
What aspect ratio is a 50x70 photo?
A 50x70 photo uses a 5:7 aspect ratio. This is wider than the 35x45 mm format (7:9) and taller than the 2x2 inch US format (1:1), which is why Canadian passport photos cannot simply be cropped from photos taken for other countries.
What is 5x7 cm photo size in inches?
A 5 × 7 cm photo equals 1.97 × 2.76 inches. It is the same physical size as the 50 × 70 mm Canadian passport photo standard.
Is the Canadian passport photo size really 50x70?
Yes. The Canadian passport is one of the only major passports in the world that uses 50 × 70 mm. Canada visa applications and the PR card use the smaller 35 × 45 mm format instead.
What is the head size in a 50x70 photo?
The face from chin to crown must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm. This is an absolute range, not a percentage — it is one of the strictest head-size rules in the world.
Can I use a black-and-white photo for a Canadian passport?
Yes. Canada is one of the few countries that accepts both color and black-and-white passport photos, as long as the resolution, dimensions, and head size meet the standard.
What background is required for a 50x70 photo?
A plain white or plain light grey background with no shadows, patterns, or objects behind the head. Off-white, beige, and blue backgrounds are not accepted.
Can I wear glasses in a 50x70 Canadian passport photo?
No. Since July 2016, Canada has banned eyeglasses in passport photos. Medically required eyewear is the only exception and requires a doctor's note.
How many 50x70 photos do I need to submit?
Two identical printed photos are generally required for paper or in-person Canadian passport applications. Always confirm the latest quantity and certification rules on the official Government of Canada website.
Related Passport Photo Tools
Official Sources & References
Create Your 50x70 Photo Size Now
Skip the manual measuring. Upload one image and download a compliant 50 × 70 mm Canadian passport photo at 591 × 827 pixels — with the head measured automatically to the strict 31-36 mm IRCC rule — in under 60 seconds. Print two copies on a 4 × 6 inch sheet and take it to a commercial photographer for certification before submitting to Service Canada.
Create 50x70 Photo →