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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 — and unlike most countries, the background must be light grey or light blue: white is explicitly rejected.

French electronic identity card (2021), front
Official specimen
Size
35×45 mm
Digital file
413×531 px JPEG
Background
light grey or blue
Head height
70–80%
Price
€5.99 · once

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Popular: · ·

  • Head size62.4% · 50–69%
  • Eye line61.2% · 56–69%
  • Backgroundwhite · σ 6
  • Lightingeven
  • Resolution1832px

MEETS SPEC — ESTIMATED

Checked against the official specification — source cited on every document.

Worth knowing: Honesty first: for passports and CNI issued in France, the official flow requires an e-photo code from an accredited photographer or booth (cabine agréée) — 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 it works

  1. 01

    Choose your document

    58 documents across 29 destinations, each with the official specification built in.

  2. 02

    Add your photo

    Ten checks measure it live on your device — nothing is uploaded.

  3. 03

    Pay once, download everything

    Exact-spec file, print sheet and compliance report. One price, no subscription.

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 — 70–80% of the frame — against a light grey or light blue background. Unlike almost every other country, France explicitly 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 — certain residence permits, student and transport cards — and for foreign visa applications filed from France.

Check your photo against the French geometry and background rules here, free, in your browser.

French electronic identity card (2021), front
Public domain · Ministère de l'Intérieur · source

France Photo d'identité (universal ID photo) photo requirements

Size35×45 mm · 413×531 px @300 DPI
Digital file413×531px JPEG · max 500 KB
Backgroundlight grey or blue
Head height70–80% of frame height
Digital uploadaccepted
Background editingnot permitted — we keep you compliant by not touching it
  • 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 — we tell you honestly where it works.
  • Digital range 413×531 to 3307×4252 px, max 500 KB.

Source: official requirements · verified 2026-07

What you get for €5.99

  • High-resolution file in the exact spec (413×531px, under 500 KB)
  • Compliance report — everything we measured, printable
  • 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 PassportClerk

Private by architecture

The free check runs on your device, and paid photos are deleted after 48 hours.

Measured, not guessed

Ten checks against the official specification — with the numbers shown, not a vague thumbs-up.

Exact files, first time

Correct pixels, DPI and file size for the portal, plus a print-ready sheet.

Fair by default

One price, no subscription. Wrong files? We fix them or refund you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a white background for a French photo?

No — French rules require a light grey or light blue background specifically 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; this tool cannot issue one — we tell you that 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.

Compliance, honestly

  • We validate 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.
  • You get a measured report, not a guarantee — final acceptance always rests with the issuing authority.

official requirements · verified 2026-07

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