UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026

UK passport photos must be 35×45mm (1.4×1.8 inches) with a light grey or cream background. The most critical requirements: your head must measure 29-34mm from crown to chin (65-75% of frame height), glasses are completely banned, and your photo must have been taken within the last month. These specifications apply to all British passport applications — first-time, renewals, and child passports.

Complete UK Passport Photo Specifications

Size & Background Rules

The 35×45mm dimension is non-negotiable. Photos that are even 1-2mm off will be rejected during verification. If you’re measuring a printed photo, use a ruler — it should be exactly 3.5cm wide and 4.5cm tall.

The light grey or cream background requirement trips up many applicants who assume white is acceptable. HM Passport Office specifically requires a light, neutral tone — not bright white. The background must be completely plain with no patterns, textures, or shadows visible behind your head.

Head height is measured from the crown (top of your head, including hair if it adds volume) to the tip of your chin. This measurement must be between 29mm and 34mm. Positioning your face too close or too far from the camera will cause rejection. Your face should fill most of the frame, but with clear space above your head.

Digital Photo Requirements

For online passport applications, your digital photo must be:

• JPEG format (no PNG, HEIC, or other formats)
• Minimum 600×750 pixels in resolution
• Maximum 10MB file size
• Unedited and unaltered — no filters, no retouching, no AI enhancement

If you’re scanning a printed photo rather than uploading a digital one, scan at a minimum of 600 DPI. Lower resolution scans will be automatically rejected by the online system.

Common Rejection Reasons

HM Passport Office rejects approximately 20% of submitted passport photos. Here are the most common reasons:

1. White background instead of grey/cream Many photo booths and studios default to white backgrounds because they work for most countries. The UK specifically requires light grey or cream. Always confirm the background color before taking your photo.

2. Wearing glasses Glasses have been banned since 2016 with no exceptions. Even if you wear prescription glasses every day, even if you have a medical note, you must remove them for the photo. Photos with glasses will be automatically rejected.

3. Photo older than one month Unlike many countries that accept photos from the past 6 months, the UK requires photos taken within the last month. If you took your photo 5 weeks ago and are only now submitting the application, it will be rejected. You’ll need a fresh photo.

4. Shadows on face or background Poor lighting creates shadows, especially under the chin or on one side of the face. The background must also be shadow-free. Use diffuse, even lighting from the front — avoid harsh direct light or backlighting.

5. Wrong head position or size Head too small (too far from camera), head too large (too close), head tilted, or looking away from camera. Your face must be straight-on, level, and properly sized within the 29-34mm range.

6. Smiling or mouth open Your expression must be neutral with your mouth closed. A very slight natural smile is acceptable, but most smiles show teeth or distort facial features, which leads to rejection. When in doubt, keep your expression completely neutral.

What’s Allowed vs. Forbidden

Children & Babies

The same specifications apply to children and babies, with two practical exceptions:

1. Babies don’t need to look at the camera. Their eyes should be open, but they don’t need to be looking straight ahead.
2. Expression is relaxed for young children. A neutral expression is preferred, but examiners understand young children may smile or have their mouth slightly open.

For babies under 1 year old, lay them on a light grey or cream sheet and photograph from directly above. Make sure no hands or other people are visible in the frame.

Where to Get Your Photo

Photo retailers with photo code service: Snappy Snaps, Boots, Post Office, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Max Spielmann. Cost: £6-£15 for 4 prints + digital code.

Our online service: Upload your photo and we’ll crop, resize, verify compliance, and provide both a digital file (for online applications) and a print-ready version. £1.35 total — no photo code needed, but you get a compliant digital file you can upload directly. Get started →

DIY at home: You can take your own photo with a phone camera. You’ll need a light grey or cream background (bed sheet or poster board works), even lighting, and a way to verify the dimensions. Our tool handles the verification automatically.

For detailed instructions on printing your photo at UK retailers, see our UK passport photo printing guide.

Government Source

All specifications on this page are sourced from HM Passport Office, the official government authority for British passports.

Need Help?

If you’re unsure whether your photo meets requirements, our tool includes an automatic compliance checker that verifies size, background color, head position, and common rejection reasons. Upload your photo and get instant feedback before you submit your passport application.

Check Your Photo Now →