United Kingdom Passport Photo
Requirements & Size (35 × 45 mm)
Check the United Kingdom passport photo size, light grey / off-white background and head-height range, then crop your photo to spec and export a print-ready 300 DPI file — all in your browser. Independent tool; final acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
- Official United Kingdom size (35 × 45 mm), light grey / off-white background
- Background check only — United Kingdom does not allow the background to be changed with software
- 300 DPI print-ready PNG, plus a 4×6 print sheet
- 100% on-device — your photo never leaves your browser
United Kingdom Passport Photo Requirements
For a United Kingdom passport application, the issuing authority requires a photo of 35 × 45 mm with a light grey / off-white background. Head height — measured from chin to crown — must sit between 29 mm and 34 mm, with eyes facing the camera and a neutral expression. The photo should be a within the last month colour image, sharp and well-lit, with no shadows on the face or background.
United Kingdom does not allow the photo to be altered with software or AI. You can crop and size your image, but the background must be correct in the original photo — it cannot be replaced or retouched afterwards.
You can wear plain glasses if you need to, but your eyes must be visible with no glare, reflection or heavy frames covering them; the UK advises going without glasses where possible.
Source: HM Passport Office. Always double-check the latest specification on the official site before submitting your application.
United Kingdom Photo Specifications
| Attribute | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Pixel size (300 DPI) | 413 × 531 px |
| Background colour | Light grey / off-white |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 29–34 mm |
| Eye line (from bottom) | 20–28 mm |
| Resolution | 300 DPI, print-ready |
| File format | JPEG or PNG |
| Recency | Within the last month |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and facing camera |
| Glasses | See official rule below |
| Head covering | Religious only; face fully visible |
How to Prepare Your United Kingdom Passport Photo
- STEP 01
Add a photo
Open a clear, front-facing photo of your face. JPG, PNG, WebP and HEIC all work — everything stays in your browser.
- STEP 02
Crop to United Kingdom specs
Face detection aligns your eyes and crown to the published United Kingdom head-height range — adjust manually if needed. Cropping and sizing do not change how you look.
- STEP 03
Check the background
Confirm you photographed yourself against a flat, uniform light grey / off-white background. United Kingdom does not allow the background to be replaced with software.
- STEP 04
Download print-ready files
Get a single 300 DPI photo and a correctly scaled 4×6 print sheet (multiple copies, cut lines) for any photo print service.
Reasons United Kingdom Passport Photos Get Delayed
Wrong dimensions or aspect ratio
Photos cropped to the wrong size can be rejected. Use the official United Kingdom millimetre dimensions, not arbitrary screen pixels.
Background not uniform
Shadows, gradients or coloured walls behind the subject are common problems. The required background colour must be flat and even across the whole frame.
Head too small or too large
Head height (chin to crown) must fall within the official range for United Kingdom. Selfies taken too close to the camera often fail this check.
Glare, shadows or obscured eyes
Glare on glasses, dark shadows around the eyes or under the chin, or anything covering the face can cause a rejection. Check the country-specific glasses rule.
Non-neutral expression
Smiling with teeth, raised eyebrows or an open mouth can violate the biometric requirement. Keep a relaxed, neutral expression with the mouth closed.
Low resolution or over-compression
Photos below 300 DPI, with visible JPEG blocks, or printed too small may be rejected. Export at the recommended resolution.
United Kingdom Passport Photo FAQ
- What is the size of a United Kingdom passport photo?
- A United Kingdom passport photo must be 35 × 45 mm on a light grey / off-white background, with the head centred and eyes facing the camera. Resolution should be at least 300 DPI for print-ready output.
- What background colour is required for a United Kingdom passport photo?
- United Kingdom requires a light grey / off-white background that is flat, uniform and free of shadows. It must be correct in your original photo — United Kingdom does not allow the background to be replaced with software or AI.
- Can I take a United Kingdom passport photo at home?
- Take a clear photo in good, even light against a plain background, then use GetShot Passport to crop and resize it to the published United Kingdom specification in your browser. You can print it at home or at any photo print service. Always check the official rules before submitting.
- Can I wear glasses in my United Kingdom passport photo?
- You can wear plain glasses if you need to, but your eyes must be visible with no glare, reflection or heavy frames covering them; the UK advises going without glasses where possible.
- How much does a United Kingdom passport photo cost with this tool?
- GetShot Passport is free to use — no watermark, no sign-up. You only pay if you choose to print the photo at a local photo print service.
- Is my photo uploaded to a server?
- No. Face detection, background checking and image processing all run inside your browser via WebGPU or WebAssembly. Your photo never leaves your device.
- Will my United Kingdom passport photo be accepted by the government?
- No tool can guarantee acceptance. The output aims to match the official United Kingdom specification (35 × 45 mm, light grey / off-white background, correct head height), but acceptance is always at the discretion of the issuing authority — check the live spec on the authority's website before submitting.
Other Europe Passport Photos
Travelling near United Kingdom? Check the passport photo rules for nearby countries.
