Official requirements
These are the rules as the issuing office publishes them. The tool above applies them for you.
| Printed size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Background | Plain cream or light grey |
| Head, chin to top | 64–76% of the photo height (29–34 mm) |
| Other rules |
|
| Source | GOV.UK, photo requirements for passports. Checked 25 September 2026. |
How to use UK Passport Photo
- Stand in front of a plain cream or light grey wall and have someone take a close-up of your head and upper shoulders.
- Add the photo and line up the top of your head and your chin with the dashed lines.
- Download the print sheet on 4 × 6 in, A4 or Letter paper.
- Print it at 100% on plain white photographic paper with no border, then cut out two identical photos.
Why use UK Passport Photo
GOV.UK measurements
45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with the crown of your head to your chin 29–34 mm high.
Two identical photos
The print sheet repeats the same photo, so the pair you send match exactly.
A background check
The tool warns if the wall behind you looks too dark or uneven for the plain cream or light grey GOV.UK asks for.
Unaltered
Passport photos must be unaltered by computer software, so the tool only crops and resizes.
About this tool
A paper UK passport application needs 2 identical printed photos, 45 mm high and 35 mm wide, taken in the last month. The image of you, from the crown of your head to your chin, must be 29–34 mm high. The photo must be a close-up of your full head and upper shoulders against a plain cream or light grey background, in clear contrast to it, with a plain expression, your mouth closed and your eyes open.
Glasses are only allowed if you have to wear them, and never sunglasses or tinted lenses. GOV.UK says the photos must be printed to a professional standard on plain white photographic paper, with no border, and must not be a cut-down version of a larger picture. Applying online instead? The online service takes a digital photo of at least 600 × 750 pixels and does its own cropping, so upload an uncropped photo of your head, shoulders and upper body there.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a UK passport photo?
45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with your head (crown to chin) 29–34 mm high.
What background does a UK passport photo need?
A plain cream or light grey background, in clear contrast to you, with no shadows.
How recent must the photo be?
It must have been taken in the last month.
Can I use this for the online UK passport application?
The online service asks for an uncropped digital photo of at least 600 × 750 pixels and crops it for you. Upload the original photo there rather than a 35 × 45 mm crop.
How do I take a UK passport photo with my phone?
Ask someone else to take it (selfies are not accepted), in front of a plain cream or light grey wall, with even light and no shadows on your face or behind you. Keep your hair off your eyes, then crop it here to 35 × 45 mm.
Is this UK passport photo tool free online?
Yes. It is a free online UK passport photo tool and editor, with no app and no upload: it crops and resizes your photo to the official size and specifications. It is not an official checker, so compare the result with the rules and requirements on the official website before you submit it.