If you've applied for a US passport before, the UK size might catch you off guard. British passport photos aren't square — they're 35mm wide and 45mm tall, making them noticeably narrower and taller than the 51×51mm American standard. This difference trips up a lot of people, especially those using international photo services or trying to repurpose photos from other applications.
Let me walk through the exact dimensions in every unit you might need, the digital specs for online applications, and the head sizing rules that HMPO (His Majesty's Passport Office) actually checks.
Need a UK-compliant photo quickly?
Our tool crops to 35×45mm, adjusts head position, sets background to the right shade, and exports at the correct resolution.
UK Passport Photo Dimensions
The official spec is in millimetres. Everything else here is a conversion for convenience:
| Unit | Width | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimetres | 35mm | 45mm | Official HMPO specification |
| Centimetres | 3.5cm | 4.5cm | Same measurement, different unit |
| Inches | 1.38" | 1.77" | Approx. conversion — not used officially |
| Pixels (min) | 600px | 750px | For online digital upload |
| Pixels (max) | 900px | 1125px | Stay within this range |
| DPI (for print) | 300 DPI recommended | Produces 413×531 pixels | |
Not a square photo
Unlike US and Canadian passport photos (which are square), the UK photo is rectangular with a 7:9 width-to-height ratio. If you crop your photo as a square, it will be rejected.
Head Size and Positioning Rules
Getting the dimensions right is only half the requirement. HMPO also checks your head size within the frame. These measurements are surprisingly strict:
| Measurement | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to crown) | 29mm – 34mm |
| Space above head | Approx. 3–5mm gap to top edge |
| Face position | Centred horizontally |
| Shoulders | Top of shoulders visible at bottom |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open |
The 29-34mm head height range is tighter than most people expect. If you're using our tool, it measures your face automatically and positions the crop so your head falls within that range. Doing it manually? The chin-to-crown measurement should take up roughly 65-75% of the total photo height.
Digital Photo Upload Requirements (GOV.UK)
If you're applying or renewing online through GOV.UK, you'll upload a digital photo. These are the technical requirements the system checks:
✅ Required
- • Format: JPEG (.jpg)
- • File size: 50KB – 10MB
- • Width: 600 – 900 pixels
- • Height: 750 – 1125 pixels
- • Ratio: 7:9 (width:height)
- • Colour: Full colour (no B&W or sepia)
❌ Not Accepted
- • Square photos (1:1 ratio)
- • Photos wider than 900px
- • PNG, BMP, HEIC, or WebP formats
- • Files under 50KB (too compressed)
- • Filtered or edited-looking photos
- • Red-eye removal that distorts eyes
UK Photo Size Compared to Other Countries
Travelling with a dual nationality or applying for visas in multiple countries? Here's how the UK size stacks up:
| Country | Width × Height | Shape | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 35 × 45mm | Rectangular (7:9) | Light grey or cream |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 51 × 51mm (2×2") | Square (1:1) | White |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 50 × 70mm | Rectangular (5:7) | White |
| 🇪🇺 Schengen / EU | 35 × 45mm | Rectangular (7:9) | White or light grey |
| 🇮🇳 India | 51 × 51mm (2×2") | Square (1:1) | White |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 35 × 45mm | Rectangular (7:9) | White |
The UK 35×45mm format is actually the most common passport photo size worldwide — it matches the ICAO international standard used across Europe, Australia, and most of Asia. The US is the odd one out with their square format.
Where to Get UK Passport Photos
You've got several options, each with trade-offs:
Photo Booth (e.g., Photo-Me)
£5-8 per set. Found in supermarkets, tube stations, post offices. Machines are pre-configured for UK size. Quick but limited retakes.
Pharmacy (Boots, Superdrug)
£8-12 per set. Staff take the photo and usually check it meets requirements. Better lighting than booths.
Post Office
£10-15 per set. Check&Send service reviews your photo and application together. Extra peace of mind but pricier.
DIY with VisaPicPro (Free)
Take a photo with your phone, upload it, and we handle the cropping, background, and sizing. Print at home or any photo printer. Try it now →
Taking a UK Passport Photo at Home
The government specifically says you can use a phone or digital camera for online applications. Here's what works:
- Background: Stand in front of a plain, light-coloured wall. Light grey is ideal. Pure white is fine too — HMPO accepts both. Avoid patterned wallpaper or dark walls.
- Lighting: Face a window for natural light. No harsh shadows on your face or background. Don't use flash aimed directly at your face — it creates glare and washes out features.
- Distance: Have someone stand about 1.5 metres away and hold the phone at your eye level. Don't use selfie mode — the wide-angle lens distorts face proportions.
- Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and looking directly at the camera. No smiling, not even slightly.
- Upload to our tool: Go to VisaPicPro UK preset. It crops to 35×45mm, checks head size, and adjusts background automatically.