Everything PAN card applications (NSDL and UTI) asks for in the photograph and signature upload, and how to produce both files without installing anything.
PAN card photo and signature size
| Upload | Dimensions | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 3.5 × 2.5 cm | 20–50 KB | JPG / JPEG |
| Signature | 2.0 × 4.5 cm | 10–20 KB | JPG / JPEG |
Exam boards revise these figures between cycles, sometimes without announcing it. Treat this page as a starting point and confirm against the notification PDF for your own application.
Preparing the photograph
- Stand about an arm’s length from a plain white wall, in daylight, with someone shooting at eye level. Avoid selfies — the short focal length distorts your face and some portals now detect it.
- Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, no cap or sunglasses.
- Crop to 3.5 × 2.5 cm with the photo tool, selecting PAN card from the preset list.
- Confirm the file lands inside 20–50 KB. The tool does this automatically.
Preparing the signature
- Sign in black or dark blue ink on plain white unlined paper, filling a box roughly the shape of 2.0 × 4.5 cm.
- Photograph it flat in good light, with the paper filling the frame.
- Crop tight to the ink and run it through the signature resize tool.
- Check it comes out within 10–20 KB.
Things that get PAN card applications rejected
- The PAN photo is wider than it is tall — 3.5 cm across by 2.5 cm high. This is the opposite of a passport photo and the single most common PAN upload error.
- The signature box is the reverse again: 2.0 cm wide by 4.5 cm tall. Read the orientation carefully before cropping.
- Sign within the box on the physical acknowledgement form too. A mismatch between the uploaded signature and the posted form delays the application.
If the portal still refuses your file
| Error | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “File size too large” | Above the ceiling | Reduce image size in KB |
| “File size too small” | Below the floor, usually from over-compressing | Increase image size in KB |
| “Invalid dimensions” | Wrong pixel size or aspect ratio | Resize image in pixels |
| “Invalid file format” | PNG, HEIC or WebP instead of JPG | Convert image to JPG |
Frequently asked questions
What is the PAN card signature size?
PAN card typically asks for a signature of 2.0 × 4.5 cm at 10–20 KB, saved as JPG. Confirm against the current notification, because these figures change between cycles.
What is the PAN card photo size?
The photograph is usually 3.5 × 2.5 cm at 20–50 KB in JPG format. It should be recent, front-facing and taken against a plain light background.
How do I resize my PAN card photo and signature?
Use the photo and signature tools on this site. Select PAN card from the preset list and the crop and file size are applied together. Everything runs in your browser, so your ID photograph is never uploaded anywhere.
Can I upload a PNG instead of a JPG?
No. PAN card requires JPG, like almost every application portal. Convert the file first — it takes a few seconds and usually reduces the size at the same time.