United Kingdom Passport (35x45 mm) Photo Size Requirements and Online Tool
Make United Kingdom Passport Photos Online Now »
| Passport picture size | Width: 35 mm, Height: 45 mm |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Background color | White |
| Printable photo | Yes |
| Digital photo for online submission | Yes |
| Digital photo size | Width: 826 pixels , Height: 1062 pixels |
| Photo Paper type | matte |
Do not worry about the photo size requirements. Our online tool makes correct photos, ensuring the photo size and head size are correct. Background will be enhanced as well.
Last Update: August 2, 2026
If you are applying for your UK passport using a paper form, you need two identical photos.If you are applying for your UK passport online, you need digital photos.New UK passports require a new UK passport photo, even if you haven't changed your appearance. Your application will be delayed if your photos do not meet the rules.
Requirements for your printed United Kingdom passport photos:
You need to provide 2 identical photos and meet the following requirements:
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measure 45 millimetres (mm) high by 35mm wide
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The image of you - from the crown of your head to your chin - must be between 29mm and 34mm high.(see example below)
You can't use photos that have been cut down from larger pictures.
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Your photo must have been taken in the last month.
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This photo should feature a close-up of your full headand upper shoulders
- Do not contain any other objects or people
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It should be taken against a light grey or cream background
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The photo is in clear contrast to the background
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The photo does not have ‘red eye’
In your photo, you must:
- Face the camera directly and look forward
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Close your mouth and maintain a plain expression
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Make sure your eyes are open and visible
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have no hair in front of your eyes
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Wear no head covering (unless religious or medical reasons require it)
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Have nothing covering your face
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Neither have shadows on your face nor behind you
The quality of your printed photos
Your photos must be:
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printed to a professional standard
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clear and in focus
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in colour on plain white photographic paper with no border
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without any creases or tears
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unmarked on both sides (unless a photo needs to be countersigned)
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unaltered by computer software
Requirements for your digital United Kingdom passport photos:
The quality of your digital photo
Your photo must be:
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clear and in focus
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in colour
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unaltered by computer software
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at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
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at least 50KB and no more than 10MB
The digital photo must:
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contain no other objects or people
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be taken against a plain light-coloured background
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be in clear contrast to the background
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not have ‘red eye’
In your photo you must:
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be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
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have a plain expression and your mouth closed
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have your eyes open and visible
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not have hair in front of your eyes
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not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
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not have anything covering your face
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not have any shadows on your face or behind you
Do not wear glasses in your photo unless you have to do so. If you must wear glasses, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses, and you must make sure your eyes are not covered by the frames or any glare, reflection or shadow.
You can get a digital photo either:
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from a photo booth or shop before applying for your passport
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by taking one using your own device during your passport application
Photos of babies and children
Children must be on their own in the picture. Babies must not be holding toys or using dummies.
Children under 6 do not have to be looking directly at the camera or have a plain expression.
Children under one do not have to have their eyes open. If their head is supported by a hand, the hand must not be visible in the photo.
Passport photos: dos and don'ts
How the 123PassportPhoto.com Tool Works
The 123PassportPhoto.com UK passport photo maker allows you to upload a recent photograph taken with a phone or digital camera and select the UK 35 × 45 mm passport photo format. The tool helps prepare the crop, framing and photo dimensions, then provides a preview before you download a printable passport photo layout and a digital photo for online submission.
Using the UK passport photo tool is simple:
- Select the UK passport photo format.
- Upload your recent photograph.
- Process your photo
- Preview the 35 × 45 mm passport photo.
- Download the printable photo layout and a single digital photo if you want to keep one
- Print and cut out two identical photographs.
Printing Your UK Passport Photo
Print your passport photos in colour on good-quality white photographic paper.
The finished photos should:
- Measure exactly 35 × 45 mm
- Have no printed border
- Be clear and properly exposed
- Have natural colours
- Be free from ink marks or printing lines
- Not be torn, folded or creased
- Not be printed on ordinary office paper
Cut around each photograph carefully without reducing the required dimensions.
When printing at home, confirm that your printer is set to the correct paper size and prints at 100% scale. Do not use settings such as “fit to page” that may change the passport photo dimensions.
Applying for a UK Passport Online?
An online UK passport application uses a digital photograph rather than two printed 35 × 45 mm photos.
A UK digital passport photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels high, with a file size between 50 KB and 10 MB.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a UK passport photo?
A printed UK passport photo must measure 35 × 45 mm.
How many photos do I need?
Two identical printed photos are usually required.
What is the correct head size?
29 mm to 34 mm from chin to top of head.
What background should I use?
Plain cream or light grey background.
Can I smile?
No. Use a plain expression with mouth closed.
Can I wear glasses?
Only if necessary, with no glare and eyes clearly visible.
Can I print at home?
Yes, if printed in colour on photo paper at correct scale.
Is 35 × 45 mm needed for online applications?
No. Online applications use a digital photo.
Can I edit the background?
No heavy editing. Use a plain background when taking the photo.
UK Passport Photo Checklist
- 35 × 45 mm size
- Two identical photos
- Taken within last month
- Clear, sharp, in colour
- Printed on photo paper
- No border
- Plain light background
- Head and shoulders visible
- Head height 29–34 mm
- Plain expression, mouth closed
- Both eyes visible
- No shadows or objects
- No retouching
- Not damaged or creased
Official Source
UK Government passport photo requirements:
https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports/photo-requirements
If you want to make passport/visa photos for other countries, click the button below.
Make Passport/Visa Photo for Other Countries
How to make United Kingdom Passport photo online
Step 1: Take a picture with a digital camera or a smartphone
Make sure someone takes your passport photo for you. Selfies are not accepted. Make use of your tripod if you have one. By using a tripod, you will be able to keep the camera level and steady. Ideally, the person should be around 1 meter away from the camera.
Step 2: Choose a venue with appropriate lighting
Face a bright window or the door when taking a photo. In this way, shadows can be avoided on the face and in the background. It is essential that the face is evenly lit. Ensure that the face is free of shadows and glares.
Note: You do not need to worry about the background, since our online passport photo generator will automatically do it for you.
Step 3: Dress appropriately for your passport photo
Uniforms should not be worn. Put on regular street clothes for your photo.
Eyeglasses should not be worn. You should remove any sunglasses, tinted glasses, or glasses that you wear if you are taking a passport photo.
Ensure that your face is fully visible. Make sure your hair doesn't cover your face or obscure your eyes. In the case of very long bangs covering your eyebrows, pin them back with bobby pins. Although it's better to show your ears as well, that won't stop your photo from being accepted.
Passport photos don't allow hats unless they're religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke.
Step 4: Pose for a passport photo
Face the camera straight on and look straight at it. Avoid tilting or rotating the head.
It is important that the shoulders are visible, and there should be enough space around the head to crop the picture.
Make sure the camera is at the same level as the head.
Step 5: Maintain neutral facial expressions
The government prefers you to have a neutral facial expression.
Under the new international passport rules, it is usually not acceptable to smile or have your mouth open.
Good and bad examples of passport photos
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