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The short answer

Enter the exact width and height, then review any proposed crop. Reposition the image before confirming, and check the downloaded dimensions and framing.

Try the example in WhatTheFile

Size and shape are different requests

Resizing makes an image larger or smaller. Asking for a square output from a portrait photo also changes its shape. WhatTheFile crops to fit that shape instead of stretching the person in the photograph.

Enter width and height carefully

Open the example below in WhatTheFile and enter Photo 600 x 600, JPG, using the exact width and height from the form. Review the interpreted dimensions before preparing. Do not substitute pixel values for centimetres or inches without the required DPI.

Reposition the crop

When a shape change would remove content, the tool pauses for a crop preview. Drag the image to reposition it and use the zoom control if needed. The required shape stays locked. Check the face, hair and shoulders before confirming; reset or cancel if you need to reconsider.

Protect signatures and document edges

Never approve a crop that cuts a signature stroke, stamp or line of text. Moving the image cannot fit an entire wide document into a narrow frame. If the requirements make that impossible, use a better-framed original or check the portal instructions.

Verify the downloaded copy

Look for passing dimension and format checks, then open the image. Enlarging a small original does not recover detail. WhatTheFile does not assess face position, background colour or institution-specific photo acceptance.

Try this example

We will open WhatTheFile and place Photo 600 x 600, JPG in the requirement box. You can review and change it before preparing your file.

Try this requirement