Updated 27 October 2026
Quick answer: A printed UK passport photo must be 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with your head 29–34 mm from chin to crown, in colour, against a plain cream or light grey background, and taken within the last month. For an online application you can use a digital photo of at least 600 × 750 pixels and between 50 KB and 10 MB, and you're allowed to take it yourself. Make either version free below, without uploading your photo anywhere.
HM Passport Office is strict about shadows and background colour: a white wall with a shadow behind your head is one of the most common reasons photos are sent back. Taking the photo facing a window and standing away from the wall fixes most problems.
Drag and zoom until your face fits the oval: chin on the bottom of the oval, top of your head (hair included) on the top, eyes level.
Before you submit: quick checklist
- Taken in the last 6 months, in colour, sharp and evenly lit.
- Looking straight at the camera, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open.
- No glasses for US photos (other countries allow them only without glare or tint).
- No hat or head covering, except for religious or medical reasons.
- Plain light background with no shadows, objects or other people.
- Not edited: no filters, beauty mode or retouching.
Your photo never leaves this device. No upload, no sign-up, no watermark.
UK Passport Photo Rules
| Rule | Printed photo | Digital photo (online) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 45 × 35 mm, not cut down from a larger photo | At least 600 px wide and 750 px tall |
| File size | — | 50 KB to 10 MB |
| Head | 29–34 mm chin to crown | Head and upper shoulders, centred |
| Background | Plain cream or light grey | Plain light-coloured |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last month | Taken in the last month |
| Glasses | Avoid; if worn, no tint, glare or frames over the eyes | Same |
| Copies | 2 identical photos | 1 file |
Online Application: Taking Your Own Digital Photo
- Ask someone to take your photo in daylight against a plain light wall, from arm's length or more, at your eye level.
- Add it to the tool, keep "United Kingdom: passport" selected and choose "A digital photo to upload".
- Fit your face to the oval and check that the background check is green.
- Download the file and upload it in the GOV.UK passport application. The service checks the photo and tells you if it may be rejected.
If you use a photo booth or shop instead, many can give you a digital photo code to type into the online form.
Printed Photos for a Paper Form
Choose "Printed photos" to get a 4 × 6 inch (10 × 15 cm) sheet with eight 35 × 45 mm photos, and print it at actual size on photo paper. Keep the two photos you send loose, not stapled or glued to the form. If your application needs a countersignatory, they sign the back of one photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a UK passport photo?
45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with the head between 29 and 34 mm from chin to crown.
Can I take my own UK passport photo?
Yes. For online applications GOV.UK accepts a digital photo taken at home, as long as it meets the rules. Ask someone else to take it rather than taking a selfie.
Can I smile in my UK passport photo?
No. You need a plain expression with your mouth closed and eyes open.
What colour background is allowed?
Plain cream or light grey for printed photos, and a plain light colour for digital photos, with no shadows behind you.
Sources
Related Guides
- Free Passport and Visa Photo Maker: Exact Official Sizes for 8 Countries, Print or Upload
- Schengen Visa Photo Size: 35x45 mm, Face 32-36 mm (Free Photo Maker)
- Convert HEIC to JPG, Shrink Photos and Remove Location Data, Without Uploading
- How to Sign a PDF for Free Without an Account (No 3-Document Limit)
Rules from GOV.UK, checked in October 2026. HM Passport Office decides whether a photo is accepted.
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