United Kingdom Passport (online application) photo requirements
Digital photos for online UK passport applications: at least 600 px wide and 750 px tall, 50 KB–10 MB, in colour, unaltered, on a plain light-coloured background.
| Photo size | Digital upload only (no printed photo) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 600 x 750 px |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Head height (chin to crown) | Not published — check official source |
| Eye line from bottom | Not specified |
| Background | plain light-coloured |
| File format | JPEG |
| File size | 50 KB – 10 MB |
| Background editing | Not allowed by the official rules; we crop and resize only |
| Last verified | 2026-11-06 |
Official source: www.gov.uk
Guides: How to take a passport photo at home with your phone · What to wear for a passport photo – clothes, hats, glasses and jewellery · Passport photo background colour – white, cream or light grey? · Passport photo file too large? Size limits and how to fix it · Glasses and glare in a passport photo – US, UK and Canada rules · Shadows on a passport photo – why they get it rejected and how to fix them · UK passport photo rejected online? The GOV.UK rules and how to fix it
How to take your United Kingdom Passport (online application) photo
- Stand about 50 cm in front of a plain light-coloured wall, with nothing else in the background.
- Use soft, even light from the front (a window in daylight works well). Avoid shadows on your face and behind you.
- Have someone else take the photo from 1–2 m away with the camera at eye level. Avoid arm-length selfies.
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed and both eyes open.
- Remove glasses, hats and headphones unless the rules allow them (religious or medical exceptions vary).
- Leave space above your head and below your shoulders so the tool can crop to the exact size.
FAQ
- What size is a United Kingdom Passport (online application) photo in pixels and KB?
- 600 x 750 px, JPEG, 50 KB – 10 MB, on a plain light-coloured background. It is a digital upload only, with no printed size.
- Should I crop my UK online passport photo?
- No. Show your head, shoulders and upper body, and the service crops it for you.
- Can I take the photo myself?
- You can use your own device during the application, but someone else needs to take it. GOV.UK says photos from a booth or shop are more likely to be approved.
- What is a photo code?
- Booths and shops can give you a code with your photos. Enter it in your application and the photo is added for you.
- What background should I use?
- Plain and light-coloured, contrasting with you, with no other people, objects or shadows on your face or behind you.
- How do I take a baby's photo?
- Lay a child under 1 on a plain, light-coloured sheet and take the photo from above. Their eyes don't need to be open, and you can support their head if your hand isn't visible.
- Will my photo be accepted?
- We format your photo to the published spec, but acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
Official source
Requirements are published by the issuing authority at https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports/rules-for-digital-photos. Last verified: 2026-11-06.
Disclaimer: We format your photo to the published spec; acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.