Passport Photo Maker

UK Passport Photo Size Guide 2026: 35x45mm Official Requirements

His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) has specific rules for UK passport photos that differ from US, Schengen, and Indian requirements. Getting it wrong means delays and reprinting costs. This guide covers the 2026 UK passport photo specifications, including the 35x45mm size, digital pixel requirements, and common mistakes that cause rejections.

Official UK Passport Photo Size

HMPO requires UK passport photos to be exactly 35mm wide by 45mm tall (3.5 x 4.5 cm).

  • Photo size: 35 x 45 mm
  • Aspect ratio: 7:9 portrait
  • Head height: 29 to 34 mm from chin to crown
  • Gap above head: At least 3 mm of space above the top of the hair

Photos must be printed on photo-quality matte or glossy paper and must not be cut to a smaller size. HMPO scanners reject photos that are folded, creased, or marked in any way.

UK Passport Photo Dimensions in Pixels

For online applications through the GOV.UK portal, digital photos must meet these pixel requirements:

  • Minimum size: 600 x 750 pixels
  • Recommended size: 900 x 1125 pixels or higher
  • Maximum size: 750 x 930 pixels (for upload)
  • File format: JPEG
  • File size: Between 50 KB and 10 MB
  • Aspect ratio: 7:9 (matches 35x45mm)

Digital submissions go through an automated quality check that measures head position, lighting, and background uniformity. Any photo that fails this check must be retaken before the application can proceed.

Background Requirements

UK passport photos require a plain, light grey or cream background. Pure white is acceptable but not preferred, as HMPO’s automated systems work better with a subtle contrast against pale skin tones.

  • Preferred: Light grey or cream
  • Acceptable: White, off-white, very light blue
  • Not acceptable: Any pattern, texture, or dark colour
  • No shadows on the background or face

If taking the photo at home, stand at least 50 cm in front of the background wall to eliminate shadows behind your head.

Facial Expression Rules

The UK has one of the strictest “no smile” policies for passport photos:

  • Neutral expression with mouth closed.
  • Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera.
  • Teeth must not be visible at all.
  • No raised eyebrows or squinting.
  • Face must be straight (no tilt).

HMPO’s automated face recognition rejects photos that show any expression beyond a neutral, relaxed face.

Glasses Policy

UK passport photos do not allow glasses unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons (in which case a doctor’s note is required). This rule has been in effect since 2016 and applies to:

  • All prescription glasses
  • Reading glasses
  • Tinted or transition lenses
  • Sunglasses of any kind

Even for medical exceptions, the lenses must be fully transparent with no glare, and the frames must not obscure any part of your eyes.

What to Wear

  • Dark, plain-coloured clothing that contrasts with the light background.
  • No uniforms (military, police, airline, etc.).
  • No hats or head coverings — except for documented religious reasons, with full face still visible.
  • Remove earbuds, headphones, and wireless devices before the photo.
  • Minimal makeup; avoid heavy cosmetics that change your appearance.

How to Take a UK Passport Photo at Home

  1. Prepare a plain light grey or cream backdrop (sheet, poster board, or photo paper).
  2. Set up even lighting — natural daylight from a window or two soft lamps at 45-degree angles.
  3. Remove glasses and pull hair away from your eyes.
  4. Use a tripod or ask someone else to take the photo — selfies distort facial proportions.
  5. Stand 1.5 to 2 metres from the camera, looking directly at the lens with a neutral expression.
  6. Crop to 35 x 45 mm with head height between 29 and 34 mm.

UK Passport Photo for Indian Applicants and Other Nationalities

If you are an Indian citizen renewing an Indian passport while living in the UK, your photo must follow Indian passport photo specifications (2x2 inches, 51x51mm) — not the UK 35x45mm size.

However, if you are applying for a UK visa from India or from the UK, you typically need two 35x45mm photos matching UK biometric standards, not Indian sizes. Always verify with the specific visa type before printing.

Where to Get a UK Passport Photo

The UK has several convenient options:

  • Photo-Me booths: Available in train stations, supermarkets, and post offices throughout the UK. Cost: £6 to £10 for four prints plus a digital code.
  • Post Office branches: Many UK Post Office locations offer passport photos. Cost: £6 for four prints, often with a digital upload code for GOV.UK.
  • Max Spielmann and Timpson: High-street photo shops that specialise in passport photos with money-back guarantees. Cost: £10 to £15.
  • ASDA, Tesco, and Boots: In-store photo services in larger stores. Cost: £5 to £10.
  • Professional photographers: Highest quality option for difficult cases. Cost: £20 to £40.

Most booths now provide a digital code (e.g., Photo-Me DigitalPasscode) that you enter on GOV.UK to skip the manual upload step entirely.

UK Passport Photo Requirements for Children

Children’s UK passport photos follow the same rules with a few adjustments:

  • Child must be photographed alone — no hands, toys, or dummies visible.
  • Eyes open and looking at the camera.
  • Mouth closed for children over age 6; younger children may be exempt from the neutral expression rule.
  • Infants under 12 months can be photographed lying on a plain light-coloured sheet with head straight.
  • Car seats and pushchairs must not be visible in the photo.

Common Reasons UK Passport Photos Get Rejected

  • Wearing glasses — still one of the top rejection causes.
  • Smiling or showing teeth — any hint of a smile is rejected.
  • Wrong background — coloured or patterned backgrounds.
  • Head outside the 29-34 mm height range.
  • Shadows on face or background.
  • Hair covering eyes or eyebrows.
  • Photo older than 1 month (HMPO prefers very recent photos).
  • Digital editing or filters applied.
  • Selfie distortion from phone cameras held too close.
  • Poor print quality on non-photo paper.

Tips for a Successful UK Passport Photo

  • Take the photo in the morning or early afternoon when natural light is soft.
  • Wear a dark top to contrast with the light background.
  • Double-check head height with a ruler before submitting.
  • If using a booth, review the photo on screen before accepting the prints.
  • Save the digital file in case you need to reprint later.

Next Steps

Ready to create your UK passport photo? Use our free UK passport photo tool to take a photo at home with the correct 35x45mm size and 600x750 pixel minimum, verify it meets HMPO requirements, and download it for both printed submission and online GOV.UK upload. Processed entirely on your device — no registration or cloud upload required.