UK passport photo online
The British take on 35×45: a smaller head than Schengen photos and a light gray background. Plus a file for online applications.
Fit your face in the oval and your shoulders under the line. Look straight at the camera, mouth closed, no smile. Best by a light wall, facing a window.
Photo requirements
Print the 4×6 in (10×15 cm) sheet at any photo lab or kiosk: 4×6 size, borderless, no scaling (100%). Then cut along the gray lines.
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How UK photos differ from Schengen ones
The size is the same, 35×45 mm, but the head is smaller: 29-34 mm instead of 32-36 mm. The default background isn't white either, it's light gray or cream. That's why a Schengen photo often fails for a British passport.
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45 mm |
| Head | 29-34 mm, chin to crown |
| Above the head | 3-6 mm |
| Background | light gray or cream, white allowed |
| Glasses | best removed |
| Online application | at least 600×750 pixels |
| Paper application | 2 identical photos |
For this document the tool starts with a light gray background; you can switch to white with one click.
Applying online on gov.uk
Most UK passport applications and renewals are now done online, and the photo is uploaded as a file. gov.uk asks you not to crop the photo yourself, but a ready file of the right size is accepted too. Ours is 900×1157 pixels, well above the 600×750 minimum. Use a recent photo: the passport rules ask for one taken in the last month.
For UK visas, many routes take your photo at the application center during the biometrics appointment. Check the instructions for your visa route before printing anything.
How to take the photo
- Take off glasses and keep hair out of your eyes.
- Stand by a light wall facing a window, with even light and no shadow on your face.
- Have someone take it from about 1.5 m (5 ft), without flash.
- Upload it and choose UK visa and passport. The head is sized to 29-34 mm.
- Download the online file, or the 4×6 in sheet with 6 photos if you need prints.
Common mistakes
- a head that's too big, out of habit from Schengen-size photos;
- pure white background with light hair: the outline gets lost, so gray works better;
- shadows behind the head, especially with flash;
- a smile or open mouth, which UK rules don't allow.
Photos of children
Children follow the same size rules. Babies can lie on a light sheet and be photographed from above, with no hands, toys or dummies in the shot. gov.uk is more relaxed for children under 6, who don't need to look straight at the camera or keep a neutral expression, but a straight-on shot is still the safest bet.
Free preview
Checks and preview are free with a watermark. The clean files (online file, print photo, 4×6 and A4 sheets) come in a $6.99 set or with Pro Photo from $2.99 a day.
FAQ
What size is a UK passport photo?
35×45 mm, with the head 29-34 mm from chin to crown.
What background does a UK passport photo need?
Plain light gray or cream. White is allowed, but gray shows the outline of your head better.
What file does the online application need?
At least 600×750 pixels. Ours is 900×1157.
Will a Schengen photo work for a UK passport?
Usually not: the head on a Schengen photo is bigger than the UK allows.