UK Passport Photo Size
If you’re applying for a British passport or a UK visa, your photo must meet the official UK government requirements. Both documents require the same photo size and format, whether you're applying online or by post.
This guide explains the correct UK passport photo size, background, and composition. You'll also learn how to take and crop a compliant photo at home, saving time and money on your application.
Table of contents
- United Kingdom passport photo size in inches and in cm
- United Kingdom passport photo size in pixels
- The United Kingdom visa photo size
- British driving licence photo size
- What size do passport photos for Bus pass, Railcard, Gun licence, Residence card have?
- United Kingdom passport photo measurements
- Get the UK passport size photo online
- UK Passport Photo Maker App
- Cheap ways to print passport photos in the UK
- How to correctly crop a photo to the UK passport picture size on your own
- Where can I get help with my British passport photo?
United Kingdom passport photo size in inches and centimetres
For a UK passport application, your photo must measure exactly 35 x 45 mm, which is equivalent to 1.375 x 1.75 inches. This is the standard photo size accepted by His Majesty’s Passport Office.
The required UK passport photo dimensions have an aspect ratio of 0.78 (width to height). The image must be high quality, printed at a resolution of at least 600 DPI.
The background should be plain and light-coloured — light grey or cream is typically recommended. Make sure there are no shadows, patterns, or textures behind your head, and avoid white backgrounds as they may cause contrast issues.
Here is an example of a correctly sized UK passport photo:
United Kingdom passport photo size in pixels
If you’re applying for a British passport online via the official gov.uk website, you’ll need to upload a digital photo that meets specific requirements, which differ from those for printed photos.
The required UK passport photo dimensions for digital submission are 900 pixels wide by 1200 pixels high. The aspect ratio remains 0.75 (width to height), and the image must be clear, in focus, and without compression artefacts.
The file size must be between 50 KB and 10 MB, and the format should be JPEG. The background must be plain and light-coloured, typically light grey or cream, with no patterns, shadows, or textures.
Here is an example of a compliant UK digital passport photo:
The United Kingdom visa photo size
As mentioned earlier, the photo requirements for a UK visa are the same as those for a British passport. This means you must submit two identical, passport-sized photos measuring 35 x 45 mm (or 3.5 x 4.5 cm) with your visa application form.
A UK visa photo must meet the same official standards for size, background, lighting, and composition. It should be recent, taken within the last month, and show your full face clearly against a light grey or cream background.
Here is an example of a compliant UK visa photo:
In some cases, such as online visa applications through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal, you may be required to upload a digital photo instead of submitting printed copies. The digital photo should meet the same size and quality standards as those used for online passport applications.
British driving licence photo size
When applying for a British driving licence, you must provide a photo that meets the same specifications as a UK passport photo. This means the required size is 35 x 45 mm (or 3.5 x 4.5 cm), with the image taken against a plain, light-coloured background — typically light grey or cream.
The photo must be in colour, high quality, and clearly show your full face without any shadows, head coverings (unless for religious or medical reasons), or reflections. Glasses should be removed unless they cannot be taken off for medical reasons.
If you are applying online for a driving licence through the DVLA website, you will be prompted to upload a digital photo, which must also follow the same specifications used for UK passport applications.
What size should passport photos be for a Bus Pass, Railcard, Gun Licence, or Residence Card?
For most UK identification documents — including the Older Person’s or Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, a Railcard, a Firearms or Shotgun Licence, and a UK Residence Card — printed photo requirements are consistent with those for a British passport.
This means your photo should measure exactly 35 x 45 mm (or 3.5 x 4.5 cm) and be printed in colour on high-quality photo paper. The background must be plain and light-coloured, typically light grey or off-white, with no shadows or patterns.
Whether you're applying by post or uploading a digital version, the image must show your full face clearly, with neutral expression and no head coverings unless for medical or religious reasons.
United Kingdom passport photo measurements
In addition to the overall size, UK passport and visa photos must meet strict guidelines regarding head size and positioning within the image. These biometric standards help ensure your photo can be used for facial recognition and identity verification.
The recommended head height in the photo is approximately 33 mm, typically ranging between 29 mm and 34 mm. There should be a clear space of about 4.9 mm between the top of the head (including hair) and the top edge of the photo.
A compliant UK passport photo must also include your full shoulders and upper chest, ensuring that your head is centred and occupies the correct proportion of the image. Make sure you face the camera directly with a neutral expression, and avoid any tilting or shadows.
Get a UK passport-size photo online
The easiest and fastest way to get a compliant UK passport photo is by using a dedicated online tool. Services like Visafoto automatically crop your image to the exact UK passport photo dimensions and adjust important biometric parameters, such as head size and eye level. They also convert the background to the required light grey colour.
With Visafoto, you’ll receive both a digital UK passport photo suitable for online submission and a version formatted for printing.
Source
Result
If you need to print your passport photo, consult this step-by-step guide for detailed instructions.
You can also use Visafoto to crop your image to the correct dimensions for both UK passport and UK visa photo requirements, or select any other document type from the full list of supported formats.
Start by taking a clear photo of yourself in daylight, like this:
Once processed, you’ll receive a digital photo suitable for online submission:
And four correctly sized passport photos ready for printing:
UK Passport Photo Maker App
Skip the trip to a photo studio and create your UK passport photo directly from your phone using the 7ID app by Visafoto.com. Available for both Android and iOS, this user-friendly app lets you take, edit, and format passport, visa, and ID photos from the comfort of your home.
Simply upload a selfie, select “United Kingdom” and the document type, and 7ID will automatically align your photo to meet HM Passport Office specifications. The app adjusts the background to light grey, crops the image to the correct dimensions, and ensures your head and eyes are perfectly positioned.
You’ll receive both a digital version for online submissions and a printable layout on standard photo paper sizes like 4×6 inches, A4, A5, or B5 — ready for immediate use.
Cheap ways to print passport photos in the UK
If you’ve already prepared a passport photo using an online tool, the most cost-effective way to get physical prints is to upload your image as a 4×6″ (10×15 cm) template and print it at a local photo kiosk or through an online print service. Below are the cheapest and most accessible options available across the UK:
Tesco / Max Spielmann
- Cost: £0.09 per 6×4″ glossy print when ordered online via Tesco Photo.
- Perfect for printing a pre-cropped passport photo template.
- Available via click & collect or in-store Max Spielmann booths.
Asda Photo
- Cost: £0.09 per 6×4″ print for online orders or in-store printing.
- Users of apps like InstaPhotoID can upload a ready-made layout and print it for approximately £0.55.
Boots Photo
- Cost: from £0.55 for a single 4×6″ print at in-store kiosks or via online upload.
- Convenient option if you have a Boots nearby and a digital template ready.
How to crop a photo to the correct UK passport size manually
As mentioned earlier, the fastest way to get a UK passport photo with the correct dimensions is by using an automated service like Visafoto. However, if you prefer to do it yourself, you can manually crop your image using a photo editing program such as Adobe Photoshop.
Follow these steps to crop a UK passport photo correctly in Photoshop:
- Open your image in Photoshop.
- Select the Crop Tool from the toolbar on the left.
- Adjust the crop box so that your face is centred and the photo includes your full shoulders.
- At the top of the screen, locate the Ratio input and set it to 35 (width) x 45 (height).
- Press Enter to apply the crop — your photo now has the correct UK passport aspect ratio.
To prepare the image for printing, go to the Image menu and choose Image Size. Set the dimensions to 3.5 x 4.5 cm and adjust the resolution to 600 DPI for optimal print quality.
Keep in mind that size alone isn’t enough — your photo must also meet UK biometric standards. Make sure the head height falls between 29 mm and 34 mm, with roughly 4.9 mm from the top of the head to the top edge of the photo. Your eyes must be positioned correctly, and the image should be well-lit, in focus, and taken against a plain light grey or cream background.
Where can I get help with my passport photo?
Visafoto automatically generates a UK passport-sized photo that meets official requirements. We guarantee that your photo will be accepted by the relevant authorities.
If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to contact our 24/7 support team — we’re here to help!
Last Update: June 2025
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