UK passport photo size

Printed UK passport photo dimensions

For a paper application, the photo is 35 mm wide and 45 mm high, with a chin-to-crown height of 29–34 mm. Use a new photo taken within the last month. The printed background is plain cream or light grey, on plain white photographic paper with no border.

Digital UK passport photo size

An online photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels high, with a file size from 50 KB to 10 MB, on a plain light-coloured background. Include the head, shoulders and upper body. GOV.UK instructs applicants using their own device not to crop the photo; the application does that.

Use the preview as a size reference

The UK preset opens with a 35:45 frame and the adult head-placement guide. It can help you understand the printed proportions. Downloads are disabled because a browser crop does not replace the instructed application process, and printed photos must not be cut down from a larger picture.

Choose the correct application route

For an online application, follow the digital-photo guidance; a photo code from a booth or shop is more likely to be approved. For a paper form, two identical prints to a professional standard, posted loose. Glasses only if you have to, no head covering unless religious or medical, plain expression with the mouth closed.

How to take a valid photo

The shared ICAO points first, then what this authority adds.

• Have someone else take the photo at eye level from a few steps away; most authorities reject selfies.
• Face the camera straight on with your head level, both eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression.
• Light the face evenly: no shadows on the face or the background, no flash reflections, no red-eye.
• Keep the photo as taken: no filters, retouching, background replacement or AI edits.
• Only you in the frame, nothing covering the face, hair away from the eyes, no uniform.
• Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can follow the guide.
• Do not wear glasses unless you have to; if you must, no sunglasses or tinted glasses, and frames, glare, reflection or shadow must not cover the eyes.
• No head covering unless for religious or medical reasons; nothing covering the face.
• Facing forward, plain expression with the mouth closed, eyes open and visible with no hair in front of them.
• No red-eye, no shadows on the face or behind you, no other objects or people; get a new photo for every passport.

Official sources

Requirements checked on 27 October 2026 against the official pages below. The issuing authority makes the acceptance decision; nothing on this page certifies a photo.

• HM Passport Office
• Online application requirements

To compare formats, see passport photo sizes by country.