UK passport photo rules (GOV.UK)
| Rule | Requirement | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Print size | 45 mm high × 35 mm wide | Official |
| Head size | 29–34 mm, crown to chin | Official |
| Print pixels | 413 × 531 px | approx. at 300 DPI |
| Digital size | At least 600 px wide × 750 px tall | Official |
| Digital file | 50 KB–10 MB, unaltered | Official |
| Background | Plain cream or light grey (print); plain light-coloured (digital) | Official |
Official source: GOV.UK – Photo requirements, checked 3 Nov 2026. Always confirm with the issuing authority before you print or upload – rules change. See also Photos for passports.
Digital application: check, don’t crop
Most UK passport applications are online. GOV.UK asks you to upload your own-device photo uncropped – its service does the cropping. So for a digital photo, use the checker above: it reports whether the file is at least 600 × 750 px and between 50 KB and 10 MB. If it is too large, the original is still fine as long as it is under 10 MB.
Printed photo
For a paper form, a 35 × 45 mm print is needed. The cropper makes a 413 × 531 px JPEG (approx. at 300 DPI); print it at 100% size. This tool only crops, resizes and checks size. It does not replace backgrounds, retouch faces or decide whether a photo will be accepted.
Before you take the photo
- Plain light background with no shadows or patterns.
- Face forward, eyes open, mouth closed, neutral expression.
- No glasses glare; hair away from the eyes.
Other countries: see the passport photo size hub.