France · id
Photo d'identité: French ID photo rules
The French photo d'identité is 35×45 mm with the face filling 70–80% of the frame. Unlike most countries, the background must be light grey or light blue, and white is rejected.
- Size
- 35×45 mm
- Digital file
- 413×531 px JPEG
- Background
- light grey or blue
- Head height
- 70–80%
- Price
- €5.99 · once
Select country and document
Step 1/3
Popular: · ·
- Head size62.4% · 50–69%
- Eye line61.2% · 56–69%
- Backgroundwhite · σ 6
- Lightingeven
- Resolution1832px
MEETS SPEC · ESTIMATED
Checked against the official specification, with the source cited on every document.
Worth knowing: For passports and CNI issued in France, the official flow requires an e-photo code from an accredited photographer or booth (cabine agréée), and a self-made photo cannot produce that code. A compliant self-made photo IS valid for many other uses: some titres de séjour, campus and transport cards, and visa applications to other countries made from France.
How our France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) photo tool works
Add a photo you already have and we measure it against the official France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) specification (35×45 mm, 413×531 px, light grey or blue background), then produce the exact files you need. Checking is free; you pay €5.99 only if you want the files.
Add your photo
A selfie or any recent photo of yourself, straight from your phone.
See every measurement
Ten checks run against the official spec and show you the numbers.
Fix what's off
Drag to reposition and zoom to resize, or retake the photo if something can't be fixed.
Download your files
Exact digital file, print-ready sheet and compliance report.
What is a France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) photo?
A French photo d'identité is a 35×45 mm photograph with the face measuring 32–36 mm from chin to crown, or 70–80% of the frame, against a light grey or light blue background. Unlike almost every other country, France rejects white backgrounds.
For passports and national identity cards issued in France, the official ANTS flow requires an e-photo code from an accredited photographer or booth. A compliant self-made photo remains valid for many other French uses, such as certain residence permits and student and transport cards, and for foreign visa applications filed from France.
Check your photo against the French geometry and background rules here for free.
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France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) photo requirements
| Size | 35×45 mm · 413×531 px @300 DPI |
|---|---|
| Digital file | 413×531px JPEG · max 500 KB |
| Background | light grey or blue |
| Head height | 70–80% of frame height |
| Digital upload | accepted |
| Background editing | not permitted, so we leave yours as it is |
- Background must be light grey or light blue. White is NOT accepted.
- For most French documents the official flow requires an e-photo code from an accredited photographer or booth. A self-made photo is valid for some titres and for foreign visas applied for from France.
- Digital range 413×531 to 3307×4252 px, max 500 KB.
Source: official requirements · verified 2026-07
France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) photos that pass the checks
Thin frames, no glare, eyes fully visible 
Even light, plain background, neutral expression 
Infant alone in frame, eyes open, plain sheet 
Religious head covering with the full face visible 
Hair back, forehead and both ears clear
France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) photos that don't pass
Head tilted, hard shadow on the background 
Taken too far away, head too small in the frame 
Someone else's hand in the frame 
Patterned wall and furniture behind
Illustrative examples created for this guide. They are not customer photos, and not decisions by any authority.
What you get for €5.99
- High-resolution file in the exact spec (413×531px, under 500 KB)
- Printable compliance report with everything we measured
- Print-ready 10×15 cm sheet with 4 copies and cut lines
one-time payment, no subscription
Photos that pass
- Exact dimensions: 413×531px
- Plain light grey or blue background, evenly lit
- Head filling 70–80% of the frame
- Taken in the last 6 months, neutral expression
Photos that get rejected
- Edited, filtered or AI-retouched photos
- Shadows on the face or background
- Busy walls, gradients or the wrong background colour
- Head too large, too small, or off-centre
- Glare on glasses or tinted lenses
- Old photos, or photos of printed photos
Why use PassportClerk for your France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) photo
- Convenience
- Make it at home from a photo you already have, without booking a studio or queueing for a booth. You get a file sized for the official upload and a print sheet for the times you need paper.
- Built from the official specification
- Every measurement on this page comes from the official France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) requirements, and the source is linked, dated and re-checked.
- Works from any phone
- Nothing to install. A recent phone camera and a plain wall are enough.
- You see the numbers
- Head height, eye line, background and resolution are all measured and shown to you before you pay.
- Private, then deleted
- We only receive your photo if you buy, and everything is deleted within 48 hours.
If the files we produce don't match the specification on this page, we'll fix them or refund you. The decision on any application always rests with the issuing authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a white background for a French photo?
No. French rules require a light grey or light blue background so the photo isn't overexposed. Our checker verifies the background colour band as well as its uniformity.
What is an e-photo code (code de la photo numérique)?
A 22-character code issued by accredited photographers and booths that links your certified photo to your online ANTS application. Passport and CNI applications need it, and this tool cannot issue one. We say so upfront rather than sell you a file that won't work.
So when is a self-made photo useful in France?
For documents that accept an uploaded or printed photo without the e-photo code: many residence permit renewals, student and transport cards, and foreign visa applications. The 35×45 mm print sheet also works anywhere a physical photo d'identité is requested.
What are the size rules exactly?
35×45 mm print, face 32–36 mm from chin to crown (70–80% of the height), neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, nothing covering the hair line. Digital uploads range from 413×531 up to 3307×4252 pixels, max 500 KB.
How we handle compliance
- We check your photo against the official rules. We never retouch your face, and we only normalize the background where the destination country permits it.
- Every requirement is cited from official government sources, with the verification date shown on the page.
- What you get is a report of measurements, not a guarantee. Final acceptance always rests with the issuing authority.
official requirements · verified 2026-07