makeidpic

United Kingdom

UK Passport Photo

Check the exact uk passport photo requirements and create a correctly sized photo online. This guide covers the photo dimensions, face position, background, expression, and file rules shown below. Always compare the final result with the latest guidance from HM Passport Office (HMPO), an executive agency of the Home Office before submitting.

Issued by

HM Passport Office (HMPO), an executive agency of the Home Office

Photo size
35 × 45 mmalso expressed as 600 × 750 px
Head height (crown to chin)
29–34 mm
Eye line (from bottom of photo)
22–25 mm
Background
Off-white

Plain cream or light grey background for printed photos ('the standard size used in photo booths in the UK'); a generic plain light-coloured background is accepted for digital/self-taken photos. Must contrast clearly with your face; no shadows.

Glasses
Allowed, if lenses are clear and glare-free
Headwear
Allowed for religious purposes only
Expression
Face forward, looking straight at the camera with a plain expression and mouth closed; eyes open and visible with no hair in front of them; no shadows on the face or behind you. Photo must be taken within the last month.
File format
JPEG
Resolution
300 DPI
File size
50–10,240 KB

Good to know

  • IMPORTANT CORRECTION vs. a common assumption: glasses are NOT banned outright in UK passport photos (unlike the US) — verbatim: "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."
  • Self-taken digital photos (e.g. via smartphone) are explicitly permitted — gov.uk notes only that booth/shop photos are 'more likely to be approved,' not that self-taken photos are disallowed.
See official source →Last verified July 28, 2026

Ready to create your photo?

Upload a photo and we'll guide you to a compliant crop — free, private, and processed entirely on your device.

Start my photo