PAN Card Photo Resize
Crop, resize, and compress your photo to the precise pixel dimensions and file size your PAN card form requires. Everything runs locally in your browser — nothing is ever uploaded.
- 100% Private — No Uploads
- Fast & Free
- No Sign-up Needed
- Works on Any Device
Choose Your PAN Application Portal
PAN applications in India are processed through two different portals, each with its own photo specification. Pick the one you're applying through and we'll configure the exact size, resolution, and file-size limit for you automatically.
Which portal should I choose?
- Choose Protean (formerly NSDL) if you are applying through the Protean PAN portal.
- Choose UTIITSL if you are applying through the UTIITSL PAN portal.
- If unsure, check the website where you are submitting your PAN application.
Drag & drop your photo here
or browse files from your device
JPG or PNG, up to 15 MB. Nothing is uploaded — processing happens on your device.
Processing…
Common Reasons Your PAN Card Photo Gets Rejected
Uploading the wrong photo is one of the most common reasons PAN applications get delayed or returned. Here are the mistakes to avoid before you submit.
Wrong Photo Dimensions
Submitting a photo that is not the exact pixel size required — for example, using a standard passport photo instead of the portal-specific size — causes automatic rejection. Protean requires 197×276 px; UTIITSL requires 213×213 px.
File Size Too Large or Too Small
Portals enforce strict file-size limits. Protean accepts photos up to 20 KB and signatures up to 10 KB. UTIITSL accepts photos up to 30 KB. Files that exceed these limits are rejected outright during upload.
Incorrect File Format
Both Protean and UTIITSL require photos in JPEG / JPG format only. Uploading a PNG, WebP, HEIC, or any other format — even if it looks like a JPEG — will fail validation.
Photo is Blurry or Low Resolution
A heavily compressed or blurry photo may be rejected during manual review even if it passes the automated file-size check. Portals specify minimum DPI values — Protean requires 200 DPI and UTIITSL requires 300 DPI — to ensure face details are clearly visible.
Face Not Clearly Visible
The applicant's face must be centered, well-lit, and take up at least 70–80% of the frame. Sunglasses, heavy shadows, head coverings (other than those worn for religious reasons), or a tilted head can lead to rejection.
Photo Taken on a Mobile Without White Background
Selfies or photos taken against coloured walls, furniture, or outdoors are commonly rejected. Both portals require a plain white background. Make sure the photo is taken in good lighting with no shadows on the background.
Signature Outside the Boundary or Too Faint
Signatures must be written in black ink on white paper and scanned or photographed cleanly. A signature that overflows the edges, is too light, or contains background noise frequently fails portal validation.
Photo and Application Details Don't Match
If the uploaded photo looks significantly different from the applicant's existing government ID (for corrections or reprint requests), the application may be flagged. Always use a recent, current photo.
Use the PAN Card Photo Resize tool above to fix dimensions, DPI, format & file size instantly — free & private.
Official PAN Card Photo Size, Signature Size & File Requirements
India's two PAN card portals — Protean (formerly NSDL) and UTIITSL — have different technical requirements for photos and signatures. The table below lists the exact specifications so you know exactly what to prepare before you start your application. All values are sourced from the respective official portals.
Protean (formerly NSDL)
Online PAN Application via Protean eGov Technologies
| Specification | Photo | Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 197 × 276 px (3.5 × 2.5 cm) | 197 × 197 px (approx.) |
| Resolution | 200 DPI | 200 DPI |
| Format | JPEG / JPG | JPEG / JPG |
| Max File Size | 20 KB | 10 KB |
| Background | White / off-white | White paper |
| Ink / Colour | Colour photo | Black ink |
| Aspect Ratio | Portrait (taller than wide) | Landscape or square |
UTIITSL
Online PAN Application via UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services
| Specification | Photo | Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 213 × 213 px (square) | 213 × 71 px (approx.) |
| Resolution | 300 DPI | 300 DPI |
| Format | JPEG / JPG | JPEG / JPG |
| Max File Size | 30 KB | 10 KB |
| Background | White / off-white | White paper |
| Ink / Colour | Colour photo | Black ink |
| Aspect Ratio | Square (1:1) | Landscape (3:1 approx.) |
Specifications are based on official portal guidelines and may be updated by the portals without notice. Always verify on the official Protean or UTIITSL portal before submitting your application.
How to Resize a PAN Card Photo
Getting your PAN card photo to the right size takes just four simple steps. No software to install and no account required — everything happens right here in your browser.
-
Choose your portal
Pick Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL — the exact photo size, resolution, and KB limit are applied for you automatically.
-
Upload your photo
Drag and drop a JPG or PNG photo, or click to browse your device. Your file stays on your device the entire time.
-
Crop & frame
Drag the crop box to center your face. Dimensions and file size are already set — adjust them only if you need to.
-
Download & submit
Preview the result, confirm the size shown, and download — ready to upload straight to your PAN application form.
PAN Card Photo Requirements
Official photo specifications for the two PAN application portals. Click "Use this preset" to jump straight to the tool with these settings applied.
| Portal | Dimensions | Resolution | Max file size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protean (formerly NSDL) | 3.5 × 2.5 cm (≈197 × 276 px) | 200 DPI | 20 KB | JPEG | |
| UTIITSL | 213 × 213 px | 300 DPI | 30 KB | JPEG |
Note: These figures reflect the specifications commonly published by each portal and may change over time. Always confirm the current pixel size, resolution, and KB limit on the official form before submitting — use the presets above as a reliable starting point.
Why Use This Pan Card Resizer Tool
Skip the guesswork of manually cropping and compressing your PAN card photo in an image editor. This tool applies the exact Protean or UTIITSL specifications automatically, so your photo is accepted on the first try.
Precise cropping
Drag-resize crop box with aspect ratio locked to your chosen output size — no distortion, ever.
Exact pixel dimensions
Type the precise width and height your form requires — down to the pixel.
Target file size (KB)
Set a maximum — and optional minimum — KB size. Automatic quality compression hits your target.
100% private
Your photo is processed with your browser's Canvas API and never leaves your device.
JPG & PNG support
Upload either format and export as JPG or PNG, whichever your form requires.
Light & dark mode
Automatically matches your system theme, with a manual toggle whenever you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should a PAN card photo be?
It depends on which portal you're applying through. Protean (formerly NSDL) asks for 3.5 × 2.5 cm (≈197 × 276 px) at 200 DPI, under 20 KB. UTIITSL asks for 213 × 213 px at 300 DPI, under 30 KB. Choose your portal in the tool above and these values are applied automatically — always confirm against the current form, since requirements can change over time.
What's the difference between Protean (NSDL) and UTIITSL?
Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL) and UTIITSL are the two agencies authorized to process PAN card applications in India on behalf of the Income Tax Department. Which one you use depends on which application form or website you started your PAN application on — each has its own photo specification, which is why this tool asks you to pick a portal before uploading.
What is the maximum file size allowed for a PAN card photo?
20 KB for Protean (formerly NSDL) and 30 KB for UTIITSL, based on each portal's published specification. This tool applies the right limit automatically once you choose your portal, and also lets you set a custom maximum (and optional minimum) KB target.
Is my photo uploaded to a server?
No. All cropping, resizing, and compression happens locally in your browser using the HTML5 Canvas API. Your photo is never transmitted over the network or stored anywhere outside your device.
Can I resize a photo without cropping it?
Yes. Set the crop box to cover the entire photo (drag its corners to the edges) before adjusting width, height, and target file size — the tool will then resize the full image instead of a cropped section.
Why is my photo still too large after compression?
If the file size still exceeds your target even at the lowest quality, the pixel dimensions are likely too large for that KB budget. Try reducing the width and height slightly, or increasing the target KB limit if your form allows it.
Which format should I choose, JPG or PNG?
Use JPG for PAN card and most government form photos — it compresses efficiently to hit small KB targets. PNG is lossless and generally produces larger files, so only use it if your form specifically requires PNG.
Can I use this tool on my phone?
Yes. The tool is fully touch-friendly and works on phones, tablets, and desktops in any modern browser.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes, it's completely free with no sign-up, watermark, or usage limit.
Troubleshooting
The download button is disabled
Check the status message above the preview — it usually means a field is invalid, such as a width/height below 20 px or a maximum KB of 0.
Compressed file still exceeds the KB limit
Reduce the crop area or the pixel dimensions slightly — smaller images compress to smaller file sizes at the same visual quality.
My photo looks blurry after resizing
This happens when the output size is larger than your cropped area (upscaling). Start with a higher-resolution source photo, or crop a larger region.
Drag/touch isn't moving the crop box
Make sure you're dragging from inside the crop box (not the dimmed background), and try updating your browser to the latest version.
Colors look slightly different after download
JPEG compression can subtly shift colors at very low quality/small KB targets. Try raising the maximum KB slightly for a cleaner result.
PNG file is larger than expected
PNG is lossless and doesn't support quality-based compression. Switch to JPG in the format selector for a much smaller file.