United Kingdom Passport Photo Size & Requirements

UK passport photo requirements

Photo size

35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)

Head height

64.4–75.6% of photo height, chin to crown

Eye line

Not published by this authority

Resolution

Not published by this authorityThis tool uses 300 dpi (413 × 531 pixels) as an assumption.

Background

plain light-coloured background, with clear contrast between you and the background

Expression

Neutral, mouth closed — no smiling

Glasses

Allowed if the eyes are clear, with no glare or tint

Ears

Not published by this authority

Head coverings

not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons

Photo you took yourself

Accepted

Edited photos

Not published by this authority

Taken from the official United Kingdom guidance, last checked 2026-08-26. Where a row says the authority publishes nothing, that is what it means — not that anything goes.

Common reasons UK passport photos get rejected

1. 1

   A background that is not plain

   the United Kingdom asks for plain light-coloured background, with clear contrast between you and the background. Patterned wallpaper, door frames and furniture edges are common causes.

2. 2

   Head too large or too small in the frame

   Chin to crown must be 64.4–75.6% of the photo height. Standing too close to the camera is the usual cause, and it also distorts your features.

3. 3

   Smiling

   the United Kingdom requires a neutral expression with the mouth closed. A closed-mouth smile still counts as an expression here.

4. 4

   Glare or heavy frames on glasses

   Glasses are allowed, but reflections on the lenses and frames crossing the eyes are both rejection reasons. Removing them avoids the risk entirely.

5. 5

   Shadows on the face or behind the head

   Standing close to a wall throws a shadow onto it, and overhead lighting casts shadows into the eye sockets. Move away from the wall and face a window.

6. 6

   A blurry or low-resolution photo

   Cropping tightly into a small photo is the usual cause. Start from a full-resolution photo taken a couple of metres away rather than enlarging a small one.

7. 7

   Something else in the frame

   Another person, a hand steadying a child, a chair back, a toy, headphones, or a face covering. Authorities list these individually because they see them constantly — the photo must show you alone, with your whole face visible.

8. 8

   A photo that is too old

   Most authorities require a photo taken within the last six months, and one that still looks like you.

UK passport photo questions

What size is a UK passport photo?

35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 inches).

How big should my head be in a UK passport photo?

Chin to the top of your head must measure between 64.4% and 75.6% of the photo's height.

Can you smile in a UK passport photo?

No. the United Kingdom requires a neutral expression with your mouth closed.

Can you wear glasses in a UK passport photo?

Glasses are allowed, provided your eyes are clearly visible with no glare and the frames do not cover them. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not accepted.

What background does a UK passport photo need?

plain light-coloured background, with clear contrast between you and the background.

Can I wear a head covering in a UK passport photo?

Not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons.

What does the United Kingdom not specify?

No published rule was found for whether edited photos are accepted, eye line, print resolution, an exact background colour and whether ears must be visible. That does not mean anything is acceptable — it means the authority has not stated a figure, so check its own guidance and err on the cautious side.

Where do these UK requirements come from?

They were read from the official guidance at https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports, last checked on 2026-08-26. Requirements change, so confirm against that page before you apply.