35x45 UK Passport Photo - Size, Requirements & Online Maker

UK Passport Photo Standards & Dimensions

1. What are the UK passport photo requirements?

   To meet HM Passport Office standards, a UK passport photo must be taken within the last month, be in clear focus against a plain light-grey or cream background, and depict a neutral facial expression with the mouth closed. The photo must be a close-up of your full head and shoulders without any other people or objects in the frame.

   Technical Specifications: Digital vs. Printed

   Feature	Digital Photo (Online)	Printed Photo (Paper)
   Dimensions	Min. 600 x 750 pixels	35mm wide x 45mm high
   File Size/Type	50KB to 10MB (JPEG/PNG)	Professional photo paper
   Quantity	1 digital file	2 identical prints
   Head Height	Must be 29mm to 34mm	29mm to 34mm (chin to crown)

   Visual Standards and Appearance

   Your appearance in the photo must be current and unaltered by computer software or filters. You must face the camera directly with eyes open and visible; hair should not cover the eyes, and “red-eye” is not permitted. While earrings and other jewellery are generally allowed, they must not obscure your features or cause glare. Prescription glasses are permitted if there is no glare or frame obstruction, but sunglasses and tinted lenses are strictly prohibited.

   Background and Lighting Requirements

   • Background: Use a plain, light-coloured background (cream or light grey) without patterns or textures.
   • Lighting: Ensure even lighting with no shadows on the face or behind the head.
   • Composition: Stand 1.5 to 2 metres from the camera to avoid distortion; do not submit “selfies.”

   Exceptions for Headwear and Children

   Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons and must not obscure any facial features. For children under six, a neutral expression is not required, and babies under one do not need to have their eyes open. However, no hands, toys, or dummies should be visible in the image.

   

   Sources: HM Passport Office (GOV.UK)

2. What are the requirements for a baby passport photo in the UK?

   UK baby passport photo requirements are more relaxed than those for adults, though the image must still be a clear, true likeness of the child. While babies and children must be alone in the frame without toys, dummies, or visible supporting hands, specific rules regarding facial expressions and eye positioning vary depending on the child’s age.

   Age-Specific Passport Photo Rules

   Requirement	Children Under 6 Years	Babies Under 12 Months
   Neutral Expression	Not required (can smile)	Not required
   Looking at Camera	Not required	Not required
   Eyes Open	Must be open and visible	Can be closed
   Mouth Position	Can be slightly open	Can be open
   Manual Support	Must stand/sit alone	Head can be supported (hand hidden)

   Essential Rules for All Children

   • No Accessories: Dummies (pacifiers), toys, and bottles must be removed.
   • No Other People: Parents or guardians must not be visible in the photo.
   • Background: Must be a plain, uniform light-grey or cream colour.
   • Face Visibility: No hair, headwear, or hands should obscure the face (religious/medical exceptions apply).

   How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home

   The official GOV.UK guidance suggests laying infants who cannot sit up on a plain light-grey or cream bedsheet. Take the photo from directly above to ensure the background is uniform and no shadows are cast. If the baby’s head needs support, ensure your hand is placed underneath the sheet or tucked behind the child so it is not visible in the frame.

   Sources: HM Passport Office (GOV.UK)

3. What is the UK passport photo size in cm?

   A standard UK passport photo must be exactly 4.5 cm high by 3.5 cm wide. For technical precision in digital printing, these dimensions are equivalent to 45 mm high by 35 mm wide. These measurements are the mandatory standard for all printed British passport applications.

   UK Passport Photo Dimensions (Metric)

   Measurement Type	Height	Width
   Centimetres (cm)	4.5 cm	3.5 cm
   Millimetres (mm)	45 mm	35 mm
   Head Height (Chin to Crown)	2.9 cm – 3.4 cm	N/A

   Composition and Cropping Requirements

   In addition to the overall 4.5 x 3.5 cm frame size, the internal composition of the photo is strictly regulated. The distance from the bottom of the chin to the crown (top of the head) must be between 2.9 cm and 3.4 cm. The image must be a close-up of your head and shoulders, ensuring your face is centered and takes up the correct amount of space within the 4.5 cm height.

   International Compatibility

   The 4.5 x 3.5 cm format is a widely accepted international standard. Beyond UK passport applications, this specific size is typically required for Schengen Visas, UK driving licences, and various international identity documents. Using a specialized cropping tool like PhotoBooth Online ensures your shot is precisely 4.5 x 3.5 cm, meeting all official UK metric specifications.

   Sources: HM Passport Office (GOV.UK)

4. What is the UK passport photo size in inches?

   A standard UK passport photo measures approximately 1.77 inches high by 1.38 inches wide. While the UK government defines the official requirements in metric units (45×35 mm), these imperial dimensions are the standard equivalent used for physical photo prints and US-based printing software.

   UK Passport Photo Dimensions (Imperial)

   Feature	Dimension (Inches)	Dimension (Fractional)
   Total Height	1.77 in	~1 ¾ in
   Total Width	1.38 in	~1 ⅜ in
   Head Height (Chin to Crown)	1.14 in – 1.34 in	~1 ⅛ in – 1 ⅓ in

   Printing Requirements for Imperial Paper

   When printing UK passport photos on standard imperial-sized photo paper (such as a 4×6 inch sheet), it is critical to maintain the correct aspect ratio. Do not “scale to fit” the paper, as this will distort the required 1.77 x 1.38 inch dimensions. Ensure printer settings are set to “100% scale” or “Actual Size” to meet HM Passport Office standards.

   Using an automated tool like PhotoBooth Online ensures your image is cropped to the exact 1.77 x 1.38 inch ratio automatically, removing the need for manual imperial-to-metric conversions.

   Sources: HM Passport Office (GOV.UK)

5. What is the UK passport photo size in pixels?

   For a UK online passport application, your digital photo must be at least 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels high. To ensure the highest quality and prevent rejection, HM Passport Office recommends a file size between 50KB and 10MB. The image must be a high-resolution file that has not been edited with computer software or filters.

   Technical Requirements for Digital Photos

   Specification	Minimum Requirement	Recommended Standard
   Width	600 pixels	900 pixels
   Height	750 pixels	1125 pixels
   Aspect Ratio	4:5	4:5
   File Format	JPEG / JPG	JPEG

   Digital Composition and Quality

   • Clarity: The image must be sharp with no pixelation or visible grain.
   • Color: Photos must be in natural color; black and white or filtered images are not accepted.
   • Positioning: Ensure the face occupies a significant portion of the pixel area, centered horizontally.

   Using a professional tool like PhotoBooth Online ensures your digital shot is exported at the correct pixel dimensions and aspect ratio, ready for immediate upload to the GOV.UK website.

   Sources: HM Passport Office (GOV.UK)

6. How do you make sure a photo meets UK passport requirements?

   Ensuring your photo meets the HM Passport Office’s strict biometric standards is the most important step in avoiding application delays. There are three primary ways to verify your image before submission:

   Comparison of Methods

   Method	How it Works	Best For
   GOV.UK Online Tool	Automated internal checker during the digital application process.	Immediate digital submissions.
   Post Office Check & Send	In-person review by staff (additional fee applies).	Paper applications and document verification.
   AI Biometric Tools	Pre-verification software that validates lighting, crop, and background before applying.	Preventing rejection before paying application fees.

   Why Pre-Verification is Recommended

   • Background Correction: Most home-taken photos fail due to shadows or “off-white” walls. Professional tools can digitally replace the background with the compliant light-grey or cream shade.
   • Biometric Centering: Automated tools ensure your eyes are at the correct horizontal level and your head height is exactly 29mm–34mm.
   • Instant Feedback: Unlike a photo booth, online tools give you the chance to retake the shot immediately if the lighting or expression is non-compliant.

   By using an integrated tool like PhotoBooth Online, you receive a compliance-verified file that is specifically formatted to pass the official GOV.UK automated “photo meter” on your first attempt.

7. Will a picture prepared in PhotoBooth Online meet UK passport photo rules?

   Yes. PhotoBooth Online is engineered to align every upload with the HM Passport Office (HMPO) biometric standards. Our system automates the technical adjustments that are most commonly cited as reasons for application rejection.

   Key Compliance Features

   Feature	How We Ensure Compliance
   Biometric Scaling	Automatically crops the photo to 35×45 mm, adjusts head height to the mandatory 29mm–34mm range, and centers the face.
   Background Removal	Instantly replaces non-compliant backgrounds with a uniform light-grey or cream backdrop.
   Technical Specs	Ensures the standard 35×45 mm proportions, 600×750 pixel minimum, and JPEG/PNG compatibility.
   Image Quality Control	Optimizes brightness and contrast while removing red-eye and softening harsh shadows.

   The Benefits of Using Our Tool

   • Unlimited Retakes: Unlike a physical Sainsbury’s photo booth, you can upload as many shots as needed until you are satisfied with the result—all with no hidden fees.
   • Age-Adaptive Standards: Our AI recognizes the specific relaxed rules for infants and children, ensuring their photos are processed with the correct age-dependent parameters.
   • Print & Digital Ready: Whether you are applying via the GOV.UK portal or via post, we provide files ready for 4×6 inch professional printing or immediate digital upload.
   • Avoid Delays: By ensuring your photo is “approved” by our tool before you pay your application fee, you avoid the common 2–3 week delay caused by photo rejection—critical for those facing passport validity requirements for upcoming travel.

8. What do I need to take a UK passport photo at home?

   To take a compliant photo at home without a professional booth, you must meet specific environmental and technical standards. While a modern smartphone is sufficient, the setup must be precise to avoid rejection.

   • Equipment: Use a back-facing smartphone camera (no selfies) held at eye level from 1.5–2 metres away.
   • Lighting: Natural daylight is required to ensure an even tone with no shadows behind the head or on the face.
   • Background: A plain, light-coloured surface is mandatory. Our tool can automatically correct the background if your home environment doesn’t meet the light-grey/cream requirement.
   • Biometrics: A neutral expression is required, with hair kept away from the eyes and no headwear (except for religious or medical reasons).

   By using PhotoBooth Online, you can turn a standard home shot into an expert-verified document. We handle the biometric cropping and background correction, giving you a file that is ready to be printed at any local store or uploaded directly to your online application.