What size is a school admission photo?

Physical print 35 × 45 mm; online upload usually a JPEG of 200 × 230 px under 100 KB.

How many prints should I make?

4 to 8 prints — schools reuse the photo for ID card, library card, transport pass, etc.

Should the student wear school uniform?

No. Most schools want the admission photo before uniform issue, in casual neat clothing.

Can I use a smartphone photo?

Yes, as long as it is sharp, well-lit and against a plain background.

Passport Photo for School & College Admission

Admission forms — from KG enrolment to undergraduate and postgraduate applications — almost always need a passport-style photo stapled to the paper form, plus a digital upload on the school's portal. Sizes vary by institution but most accept the same compliant photo if you generate it within the common range. This page covers the safe spec that works across most admission forms in India.

Specifications at a glance

Physical print: 35 × 45 mm (Indian passport size)
Digital dimensions: 200 × 230 px to 413 × 531 px
File format: JPEG (some accept PNG)
File size: 20 KB – 100 KB
Background: Plain white or light grey
Prints needed: 4 – 8 copies (varies by institution)

Why admission forms still need physical photos

Even fully online admissions usually print a confirmation sheet that the candidate signs and pastes a passport photo on, for the institution's physical file. Schools also want extra prints for the ID card, library card, transport pass and emergency contact form.

Print 4–8 copies of the same photo on photo paper at any local lab — it is cheaper than printing each one separately.

What the online upload usually wants

Most school and college portals accept a JPEG between 20 KB and 100 KB at a passport aspect ratio. CBSE LOC, NEET, JEE and CUET have stricter caps and dedicated guides (see Competitive Exams below). For regular admission forms, a 200 × 230 px JPEG under 100 KB works everywhere we have tested.

Photo on the school ID card

The same photo gets reused on the student ID card, so use a recent, well-lit shot where the student looks neutral and clearly identifiable. Avoid photos in school uniform (most schools want the photo before uniform issue).

Generate, print and upload

Take a clear front-facing photo against a white wall in soft daylight. Use our editor's Standard preset to produce both a print-ready 35 × 45 mm JPEG at 300 DPI and a screen-ready JPEG under 100 KB. Print 4–8 copies at a local photo lab and upload the digital file on the admission portal.

Make admission photo View size requirements

Frequently asked questions

What size is a school admission photo?: Physical print 35 × 45 mm; online upload usually a JPEG of 200 × 230 px under 100 KB.
How many prints should I make?: 4 to 8 prints — schools reuse the photo for ID card, library card, transport pass, etc.
Should the student wear school uniform?: No. Most schools want the admission photo before uniform issue, in casual neat clothing.
Can I use a smartphone photo?: Yes, as long as it is sharp, well-lit and against a plain background.