What are the photo and signature sizes for a PAN card application?
For a Protean PAN card application, use FixDoks's PAN resizer to make a photo of 197 x 276 px and a signature of 354 x 157 px, both JPEGs at 200 DPI and up to 50 KB, as Protean's scanning guidance states. Sign in black ink on plain white paper for the clearest result.
PAN Card Photo & Signature Resize at a glance
| Photo | JPEG, 197 x 276 px at 200 DPI, up to 50 KB |
|---|---|
| Signature | JPEG, 354 x 157 px at 200 DPI, up to 50 KB |
| Processing | In your browser; your files are not uploaded |
| Price | Free, no watermark |
| Download | Free Google sign-in |
| Works on | Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone |
How to use PAN Card Photo and Signature Resizer
- Pick the document tab (photo, signature and so on) and click Select to add a photo or scan from your phone or computer.
- Drag the crop box so the face or signature fills the frame. Signatures are cleaned and trimmed automatically.
- Click Resize. The file is made at the exact pixel size and inside the KB range, and downloads straight away.
- Repeat for each tab, then upload the files to the application form.
PAN application photo and signature
When you apply for a new PAN card or a correction online through Protean (formerly NSDL e-Gov) and choose to upload scanned images, the photo and signature must follow a set format. As per Protean's guidance on scanning documents for PAN applications, both are JPEG files scanned at 200 DPI and no larger than 50 KB.
| Document | Dimensions | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 3.5 × 2.5 cm (height × width) at 200 DPI = 197 × 276 px | Up to 50 KB | JPG / JPEG |
| Signature | 4.5 cm wide × 2 cm high at 200 DPI = 354 × 157 px | Up to 50 KB | JPG / JPEG |
Source: Protean (formerly NSDL e-Gov) guidance on scanning documents for online PAN applications. Specifications can change between recruitment cycles, so always check the current notification before you apply.
Photo
Protean's forms describe the photo as 3.5 cm × 2.5 cm (height × width) in colour on a white background. At 200 DPI that is 197 × 276 pixels, which is the size this tool creates, with 200 DPI written into the file. One Protean article mentions a different height, so compare with the instructions shown on the application page when you upload. Use a recent photo that clearly shows your face; the photo is printed on the PAN card.
Signature
The signature image is 2 cm high and 4.5 cm wide at 200 DPI (354 × 157 pixels), signed in black ink on plain white paper. The signature is also printed on the card and used to verify documents, so sign in your usual style. The cleanup option makes the paper pure white and the ink black, which prints better on the card.
Do I need to upload a photo for e-KYC PAN?
If you apply with Aadhaar based e-KYC, the photo and details are taken from Aadhaar, and you may only need to upload a signature, or nothing at all with e-Sign. The scanned upload route is for applicants who choose to submit scanned documents.
UTIITSL applications
UTIITSL, the other PAN service provider, uses different scanning rules. We could not confirm them in an official UTIITSL document, so this preset follows Protean only. If you apply through UTIITSL, use the custom photo resizer with the size shown on its portal.
Common reasons for rejection
- A photo that is blurred, dark or taken against a patterned background.
- A signature on lined or coloured paper, or with a shadow across it.
- Files over 50 KB, or saved in a format other than JPEG.
- The photo of another person or an old photo that no longer resembles you.
The tool handles the size, format and DPI. Use a recent, clear photo and a bold signature to avoid the rest.