UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026 (Size & Rules)

Quick answer: the UK passport photo spec at a glance

Before going into the details of each rule, here is every official requirement in one table. These figures come from the HMPO (His Majesty's Passport Office) guidance. Always confirm against the latest version at gov.uk before submitting, as requirements can be updated.

Each of these points has nuances that cause real rejections. The background colour rule in particular trips up a significant number of applicants who use a plain white wall and assume it will be fine. Let us cover each area in detail.

Printed photo size: 45x35mm explained

The UK printed passport photo size is 45mm tall by 35mm wide. This is a slightly unusual proportion compared to standard photo prints, so you cannot simply crop any photo to a 4:5 ratio and print it at any size. The physical dimensions on paper must be exactly 45x35mm.

In practice, most photo printing services (chemists, supermarkets, online printers) offer a "passport photo" template that handles the dimensions for you. If you are printing at home, set your image to 35mm wide by 45mm tall in your print settings and ensure the print resolution is high enough (at least 300 dpi) so the photo is sharp and not pixelated.

The aspect ratio of 45x35mm works out to approximately 1.286:1 (height to width), which maps cleanly to a 900x700 pixel image at 500 dpi or a 1350x1050 pixel image at 762 dpi. For most purposes, shooting at any reasonable resolution and cropping to the 45:35 ratio (or 9:7) gives you a print-ready file.

Digital photo size: 600x750px minimum

When you renew or apply for a UK passport online, HMPO asks you to upload a digital photo. The minimum acceptable size is 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels tall. This is the digital equivalent of the 35x45mm printed format (width by height, reversed from the millimetre spec).

Higher resolution is fine and generally preferred, as it gives HMPO more data to verify compliance. A photo from a modern smartphone at full resolution easily exceeds this minimum. The key constraint is the aspect ratio: the image must be in a 4:5 ratio (width to height), matching the 600x750 proportion. A 1200x1500 pixel image is equally valid.

One important distinction: the HMPO digital photo service does not simply accept any photo you upload. It uses automated checks and, in some cases, manual review to confirm the photo meets all requirements. Preparing your image correctly before upload saves you from having to resubmit.

Use the SammaPix Passport Photo tool to crop your image to the correct 4:5 ratio with the UK preset. If you need to hit a specific pixel dimension such as exactly 600x750, follow up with Resizepack.

Background colour: grey or cream, not pure white

This is the rule that catches the most people. The HMPO specification states the background must be plain light grey or cream. Pure white is not listed as an acceptable background colour and photos with a pure white background can be rejected.

The reason pure white can cause problems is partly technical and partly procedural. A pure white background can make the photo appear manipulated or digitally altered, which raises flags in the review process. It can also reduce contrast around light-coloured hair or fair skin tones, making the edges of the face and head harder to distinguish cleanly.

A light grey wall (or even a slightly off-white cream painted wall) is ideal. If you are taking the photo at home, stand in front of a plain light-coloured wall with even lighting and no shadows falling on the background. Avoid coloured walls, patterned wallpaper, curtains, or anything that could appear in the frame behind you.

• Acceptable: plain light grey, plain cream, plain off-white with a slight warm tone.
• Not acceptable: pure white (#FFFFFF or very close to it), any colour other than neutral, patterns, visible shadows, gradients, or textures.
• Edge case: some photo booths and chemist services use a white background and the photo is accepted, because the reviewing system considers the overall quality. However, preparing with a grey or cream background is always safer.

Face rules: expression, position, and glasses

Face height: 29 to 34mm

On a printed 45x35mm photo, the measurement from the crown of the head (the top of the skull, not the top of the hair) to the bottom of the chin must fall between 29mm and 34mm. This ensures the face takes up a defined proportion of the photo, typically around 70 to 80 percent of the total height.

In digital terms at 600x750px, this translates to the face occupying roughly 387 to 453 pixels of the 750-pixel height. If you prepare your photo using a passport photo tool with the UK preset, this proportion is handled for you automatically.

Expression and posture

The expression must be neutral and natural, with the mouth closed. Eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. The head must be straight, not tilted or turned to either side. Hair should not cover the face or eyes.

Do not smile broadly or frown. A relaxed, neutral expression with no visible tension in the face is what HMPO wants. Think of the expression as "calm and alert" rather than either happy or serious.

Glasses: not allowed since 2018

Since 2018, no glasses are allowed in UK passport photos. This applies to prescription glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, and any other type of eyewear. The only exception is tinted lenses worn for a specific medical condition, and even then prior approval from HMPO is required.

This rule was introduced to improve the accuracy of automated facial recognition at border control. If you normally wear glasses, remove them before taking your passport photo. Contact lenses are fine as long as they do not alter the natural colour of your eyes.

How to prepare your photo free in your browser

You do not need to visit a photo booth or pay for an app to get a compliant UK passport photo. SammaPix tools handle every step free, with no account required and no file upload. Your photo stays on your device throughout the entire process.

The entire process takes around five minutes. Because everything runs in your browser using client-side code, none of your images are sent to any server. This is different from many online passport photo services that upload your photo to their cloud and store it.

Most common reasons passport photos get rejected

HMPO rejection reasons are rarely surprising in hindsight. The same issues appear again and again. Knowing them in advance lets you avoid every one of them before you submit.

If your application is rejected because of the photo, you will normally be asked to resubmit a new one. For online applications this is straightforward. For postal applications it adds weeks to the processing time.