Whether you're enrolling for a new Aadhaar, updating details, or uploading documents for e-KYC, any photograph has to meet a few specific requirements. Get them right and your submission goes through; get them wrong and it bounces. Here's what Aadhaar actually expects — including one important limitation most guides skip.
Aadhaar photo specifications
| Attribute | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical size | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Pixel dimensions | ≈ 413×531 px (300 DPI); min 350×350 px for uploads |
| File format | JPEG / JPG |
| File size | ≈ 20–100 KB online (aim ~50 KB to be safe) |
| Background | Plain, light, evenly lit |
| Resolution (print) | 200–300 DPI |
How to prepare your photo
Use our Aadhaar Photo Resize tool to crop your picture to a clean passport-style format and compress it under the required size in one step, or hit a specific limit with Compress Image to 50KB. If your form also needs a signature, Signature Resize to 20KB handles it. Everything runs in your browser — your photo is never uploaded or stored.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the photo size for Aadhaar?
- The Aadhaar photograph is 3.5×4.5 cm (about 413×531 px at 300 DPI), saved as JPG. For online uploads keep it within roughly 20–100KB, aiming near 50KB to stay safe.
- Can I update my Aadhaar photo online?
- No. UIDAI requires the photo to be captured live at an enrolment or update centre — there is no online photo-update option. Other details like address can be updated online.
- What background does an Aadhaar photo need?
- A plain, light-coloured, evenly lit background with your face centred and looking straight ahead, no shadows.