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The French national identity card (carte nationale d'identité) uses the same photo d'identité specification as the French passport: 35 x 45 mm, face 32–36 mm measured from the chin to the top of the head excluding hair, on a plain light background — and, unusually, plain white is explicitly forbidden. The head must be bare.
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Not sure whether your photo will pass? See Why ID photos get rejected.
French ID Card Photo (Carte Nationale d'Identité) requirements
| Photo size | 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels (print) | 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI · 827 x 1063 px at 600 DPI |
| Head height | 32–36 mm from chin to crown (measured excluding hair) — official published figure. |
| Background | Any plain light color — plain white is explicitly not allowed. |
| Glasses | Allowed if there is no glare, no tint, and the frames do not cover the eyes. |
| Editing | Keep edits minimal; most authorities reject retouched photos even where no explicit rule is published. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, facing the camera straight on. |
| Official source | Official photo requirements ↗ |
Good to know
France is one of very few countries that prohibit a white background. Use light grey or light blue; if you are replacing the background here, choose light gray rather than white.
The head must be uncovered — the specification allows no hat, scarf or headband, which differs from the UK, U.S. and Canadian rules on religious head coverings. See the head-coverings guide for the comparison.
The 32–36 mm face measurement excludes hair: it is taken to the top of the skull, not the top of a hairstyle. Ears should be visible and hair must not cross the eyes.
The photo must be less than 6 months old and a recognisable likeness.
How to make it in 3 steps
- Take or choose a photo. Stand in front of a plain light wall in even light with no shadows, camera at eye level about 2 m away, head and shoulders in frame with space around your head.
- Crop with the head guides. The maker opens preset to the 35 x 45 mm standard with the official 32–36 mm head range marked. Drag and zoom until the crown of your head and your chin sit on the guides, then run the built-in photo check.
- Download. Save the single photo (for online uploads) or the 4 x 6 in print sheet, and print it at any photo shop, pharmacy photo kiosk or at home for the price of a regular photo print.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a French ID Card Photo (Carte Nationale d'Identité)?
35 x 45 mm — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. The head must measure 32–36 mm from chin to the top of the head.
What background color does a French ID Card Photo (Carte Nationale d'Identité) need?
Any plain light color — plain white is explicitly not allowed.
Can I take a French ID Card Photo (Carte Nationale d'Identité) at home with my phone?
Yes. Stand in front of a plain light wall in even daylight, have someone take a sharp, front-facing photo from about 2 m away, then crop it to the exact 35 x 45 mm standard with the free maker — the head guides show you the official head-height range.
Is this French ID Card Photo (Carte Nationale d'Identité) maker really free and private?
Yes — completely free, with no ads, no watermark and no signup. Unlike photo-booth apps and paid services, your photo is processed entirely in your browser and is never uploaded to any server.
Where can I print my French ID Card Photo (Carte Nationale d'Identité)?
Download the 4 x 6 in (10 x 15 cm) sheet and print it as an ordinary borderless 4 x 6 in (10 x 15 cm) photo at actual size (100%, no scaling) at a photo shop, a pharmacy photo kiosk, an online print service or on a home printer, then cut along the guide lines. You pay only for an ordinary photo print, not a photo-booth service fee. Local examples: Photomaton, photographe habilité. More detail: Printing passport photos in France.
Is the French ID card photo the same as the passport photo?
Yes. The carte nationale d'identité and the French passport share one photo d'identité specification: 35 x 45 mm, a 32–36 mm face measured excluding hair, plain light background with white forbidden, neutral expression, bare head.
Why is a white background not allowed for a French ID photo?
The specification requires a plain light-coloured background that keeps the outline of the face clearly separated from it — a light grey or light blue. Against pure white, a pale face and light hair lose that separation, so white is excluded outright.
Can I wear a headscarf in a French ID card photo?
No. The French specification requires the head to be bare, with no hat, scarf or headband. This is a genuine divergence from most other authorities, which permit religious head coverings provided the face is fully visible.