United Kingdom · Passports
UK passport photo (paper form)
UK passport photo (paper form): 35 × 45 mm; digital file 413 × 531 px JPEG; head 29–34 mm from chin to top of head; plain cream or light grey background; glasses best removed; taken in the last month.
UK passport photo (paper form) requirements
From the official government page. Our tool measures your photo against each of these.
| Document | Two printed photos for the paper form |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Digital file | 413 × 531 px JPEG |
| Head size | 29–34 mm from chin to top of head |
| Background | Plain cream or light grey |
| Glasses | Best removed; must not hide your eyes or reflect light |
| Photo age | Taken in the last month |
| Eye line | 30–60% of the photo height, measured from the bottom |
Rules checked against the official page on 25 Oct 2026.
Tips for your UK passport photo (paper form)
- Plain cream or light grey background.
- Print without a border on plain photo paper.
- One photo may need a countersignature on the back.
- Stand in front of a plain, light wall, a step away from it so no shadow falls behind you.
- Face a window so light falls evenly on both sides of your face.
- Ask someone to take the photo about 1.5 m away, at your eye level, with space above your head.
Questions
What size is the UK passport photo (paper form)?
35 × 45 mm. The digital file is 413 × 531 px JPEG.
What background do I need?
Plain cream or light grey, with no patterns, objects or shadows. Our tool checks the background and tells you if it needs a retake. We never replace backgrounds, because edited photos are rejected.
Can I wear glasses?
Best removed; must not hide your eyes or reflect light.
Can I take this photo at home?
Yes. Ask someone to take it with a good camera or the back camera of a phone, in daylight, in front of a plain light wall. The tool shows you every measurement before you download.
Is it free?
Yes. You only need a free account to download. No card and no subscription.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The checks run inside your browser, so your photo stays on your device.