UK Passport Photo (printed, 45 x 35 mm): size and requirements
The UK Passport Photo size is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches). Any plain background that is any light colour (for example different shades of white (cream, ivory or vanilla) and light grey); head 64 to 76 percent of the photo height. Photo taken within the last month. Last verified 2026-10-07 against HM Passport Office.
For the two printed photos sent with a paper British passport application form (for example from the Post Office Check and Send service or an overseas paper application). Not for the online application, which uploads a digital photo, and not for a UK visa or driving licence.
Requirements at a glance
- Size
- 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches)
- Head height
- Head 64 to 76 percent of the photo height (between 29 mm and 34 mm from the crown (top) of head to the bottom of chin)
- Background
- any plain background that is any light colour (for example different shades of white (cream, ivory or vanilla) and light grey)
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
- Glasses
- Only if you must; no tint, no glare
- Head covering
- Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
- Photo age
- Taken within the last month
- Prints needed
- 2
- We deliver
- 827 x 1063 px (600 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckHM Passport Office measures 29 to 34 mm from crown to chin on a 45 x 35 mm print. Too large a print means the head is the wrong size after they cut it down; too small leaves white gaps when scanned.
- CheckThe photo must have been taken in the last month. Examiners are told to reject photos they suspect are older, for example from a date stamp.
- CheckHMPO's 2014 guide for photographers on gov.uk says photos printed at home are not usually clear enough for facial biometrics; the current Photo standards (v51) accept home prints only if they match booth or studio quality and refuse glossy or textured paper. Print at a lab on medium or low gloss or matt photo paper.
- CheckOnly one of the two photos is signed on the back by the countersignatory, and only when a countersignature is needed; writing that shows through when scanned gets the photo rejected.
- CheckAny plain light colour is accepted as a background, including shades of white such as cream, ivory or vanilla, and light grey. HMPO's 2014 guide for photographers recommends 5 to 10 percent grey or cream for contrast at the edges of the face.
Good to know before you pay
If you can apply online you do not need prints at all; gov.uk says you need a digital photo to apply for a passport online, and a photo booth or shop code can be entered instead of uploading a file.
Source and verification
Read from the official page. Last checked 2026-10-07 at HM Passport Office.
Passport photos must be 45 millimetres (mm) high x 35mm wide.
A customer's photo must measure between 29 mm and 34mm from the crown (top) of head to the bottom of chin.
Customers must send photos taken in the last month.
Customers must send 2 paper photos that meet the standards.
HM Passport Office will not accept glossy or textured paper, as it may cause haze and glare and distort the image on screen.
digital or paper photos taken against any plain background that is any light colour (for example different shades of white (cream, ivory or vanilla) and light grey)
Photos printed at home must be of a similar, high quality to photos printed at booths and studios.
Primary source is HMPO's published caseworker guidance 'Photo standards' version 51.0 (19 January 2026), linked from gov.uk/government/publications/photographic-standards; all quotes above and the background wording are from it. Secondary source: HMPO's 'Passport photos: guide for photographers' (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/passport-photos-guide-for-photographers/guidance-for-photographers, published 9 April 2014), which supplies the lines 'shows a plain, uniform, light grey or cream background (5% to 10% grey is recommended)', 'photos printed at home are not usually clear enough to measure facial biometrics', the waived template check for infants under 12 months and 'no hands are visible'. The v51 standards frame the child relaxations as examiner discretion ('may waive'). No GB source states a print DPI; 600 is our rendering choice. The public gov.uk photo page now covers digital photos only.
We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.
Frequently asked questions
