UK passport photo requirements
The UK is stricter about timing than most countries: a passport photo must have been taken in the last month, not the last six. The background is unusual too — plain light grey or cream, not the white most other countries want.
Crop to this size
Opens the cropper with 35 × 45 mm already selected.
At a glance
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Photo size in inches | 1⅜ × 1¾ in |
| Pixels at 300 ppi | 413 × 531 px |
| Orientation | Portrait |
| Head height | 29–34 mm from chin to crown |
| Background | Plain light grey or cream — not white, not dark, no pattern |
HM Passport Office asks for at least 600 dpi, which is 827×1063 px at 35×45 mm.
What the photo must show
- Photo age. Taken within the last month. Older photos are rejected even if you look identical.
- Expression. Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, no smiling.
- Glasses. Not allowed in passport photos.
- Headwear. Only for religious or medical reasons, and never covering the face.
- Background. Plain light grey or cream with no objects, shadows or patterns behind you.
- Resolution. At least 600 dpi, sharp, no red-eye.
- No copies. A photo of a photo, a scan of a print, or a screenshot is not accepted.
Digital photo for online applications
- Format
- JPEG
- Resolution
- At least 600 dpi when reproduced at 35×45 mm
- Where it is used
- The online passport service, which crops and checks the file for you
Common reasons photos get rejected
- Shadows behind the head or uneven lighting.
- A white background — the UK wants light grey or cream.
- Glare on the skin or the glasses-free face.
- A photo older than a month.
- A smile, raised eyebrows, or a tilted head.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — photos for passportsThe official rule set, with examples of accepted and refused photos.
- GOV.UK — passport fees and apply onlineThe online service that accepts a digital photo directly.
Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change — always confirm with the official source above before you apply.