UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Size, Rules, and Free Tool

HM Passport Office rejects around 1 in 6 passport applications due to photo errors. Getting the dimensions and rules right first time saves weeks of delay. Here are the official UK requirements.

Official UK Passport Photo Specifications

• Size: 45×35mm (height × width)
• Pixels: 531×413 pixels at 300 DPI
• Head height: 29–34mm from chin to crown
• Background: Plain cream or plain light grey
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed
• Eyes: Open, clearly visible
• Glasses: Not permitted (banned since 2015)
• Recency: Taken within the last month

Digital Photo for Online Application

• File format: JPG or PNG
• Dimensions: 600px minimum on shortest side
• Colour: Full colour
• Resize to 35×45mm — the tool sets 413×531 pixels which satisfies UK Passport Office requirements.

Common UK Passport Photo Rejections

• Wrong background colour: Must be cream or light grey — not white (unlike US/EU passports)
• Shadows: No shadows on the face or background
• Expression: Smiling or exaggerated expressions are rejected
• Head size: Face too small or too large in the frame
• Glasses: Not permitted even with thin frames

UK vs EU/ICAO Passport Photo

The UK uses 45×35mm (landscape orientation) while most EU countries use 35×45mm (portrait). The UK photo is wider than it is tall. Our 35×45mm tool produces the portrait format used by EU and India — always verify the specific requirement for your application.