UK Passport Photo Size & Specs
UK passport photo requirements — 45×35 mm print, ≥600×750 px digital, 50 KB–10 MB JPEG, head 29–34 mm, light grey background — cited to GOV.UK.
The UK follows the ICAO-shaped 45×35 mm portrait but runs one of the most explicit digital upload specs anywhere — with a file floor that catches people out — and softer rules on glasses and background than the US.
The spec
| Field | UK passport |
|---|---|
| Print size | 45×35 mm (45 high × 35 wide) |
| Digital pixels | ≥600×750 px (online application) |
| Head size (crown→chin) | 29–34 mm (64–76%) |
| File limit | 50 KB – 10 MB JPEG |
| Background | plain light grey or cream |
| Photo age | <1 month (online applications) |
| Glasses | allowed — no glare, eyes visible |
| Expression | neutral, mouth closed |
The two ends of the file window. Almost every portal caps file size; the UK also floors it. A photo under 50 KB is rejected the same as one over 10 MB — so don't thumbnail-compress the upload. And the one-month recency rule applies to digital applications; it exists so the photo can't drift far from your current appearance.
How it differs from the neighbours
Glasses. The UK allows them — no glare, frames off the eyes, nothing tinted. The US and India ban them outright; Schengen guidance discourages them. If you wear glasses daily and can’t see without them, the UK is one of the few specs that explicitly permits keeping them on.
Background. Not white — GOV.UK asks for a plain light grey or cream background. Pure white is acceptable in practice, but grey/cream is what’s published, and it’s why UK photo booths default to a grey backdrop.
Recency. One month for online applications — the strictest clock among the major specs. Renewing online with last year’s photo fails on age even if the file is perfect.
Head band. 29–34 mm of the 45 mm height is 64–76% — narrower and lower than the ICAO 70–80% family the Schengen spec uses, so a Schengen-tight crop can actually overshoot the UK band.
Sources
Related: reading spec sheets · ICAO 9303 explained · why photos get rejected.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UK photo 35×45 or 45×35 mm?
Same rectangle — GOV.UK phrases it as "45 mm high by 35 mm wide", and most of Europe writes it 35×45 mm. Either way it's the standard ICAO-shaped portrait, not a square.
Why did the online portal reject a tiny JPEG?
The UK portal enforces a file floor as well as a ceiling: 50 KB to 10 MB. Aggressively compressed or re-saved thumbnails can land under 50 KB and fail. Export at a reasonable JPEG quality from the full-resolution file.
Can I wear glasses in a UK passport photo?
Yes — the UK is softer than the US here: glasses are allowed if there's no glare, the frames don't cover the eyes, and they're not sunglasses or tinted. In practice, removing them is still the safer move — glare is a top rejection trigger.
How recent must a UK passport photo be?
For online applications, taken within the last month — stricter than the six-month rule most countries use. Paper counter applications accept the usual recent-photo standard, but the one-month rule is what the portal checks against.