UK passport photos: the quick‑start guide you need
Need a passport photo for the UK and want to avoid a costly re‑shoot? You’re in the right place. Below you’ll find the exact size, background, lighting and pose rules that the Home Office checks. Follow these steps and you’ll have a compliant photo ready to upload or print.
Exact specs – what the Home Office expects
The UK passport photo must be 45 mm wide and 35 mm tall. Your head (from chin to crown) should measure between 29 mm and 34 mm. Keep the background plain white or off‑white with no shadows. No glasses, hats, or anything that hides your face. The photo has to be in colour, clear and free of any filters.
DIY tips that actually work
Set up a solid white wall or hang a plain sheet. Stand about a metre away and let natural light fill the scene – a window on a cloudy day works great. Use a tripod or stack books to keep the camera level with your eyes; you want a straight‑on shot, not looking up or down.
Ask someone to take the picture or use a self‑timer. Keep your expression neutral: mouth closed, eyes open, and look directly at the camera. Avoid smiling or frowning – a natural, relaxed face passes the test.
After you snap the shot, crop it to the exact 45 × 35 mm dimensions. Many free online tools let you set the size and DPI (300 dpi is recommended). Double‑check the head measurement; you can print a test on plain paper to see if the size matches.
If you’re comfortable with Photoshop or a similar editor, adjust brightness so the background is truly white and the skin tone looks natural. Do not apply any filters or retouch the face – the Home Office can reject over‑edited images.
When you’re satisfied, save the file as a high‑resolution JPEG. The file size should be under 10 MB. Upload it directly to the UK government portal or print it on matte photo paper at a shop that offers passport‑photo quality.
Common mistakes to watch out for: shadows on the face or background, a tilted head, too much head space, or wearing glasses with reflections. Even a tiny hair over the eyes can cause rejection.
Need a fast fix? Many local photo studios know the UK rules and can do the job in minutes, but doing it yourself saves time and money. Keep a copy of the finished photo on your phone – you’ll need it for any future renewals.
With these easy steps you’ll meet every requirement, avoid rejections and get your passport on the way without a hassle.