UK Passport

UK passport photo requirements, in plain English.

This is the whole specification a UK passport photo is measured against, transcribed from the official GOV.UK photo rules. The plain light-grey background is the rule a home photo misses most — read it, check it at the source, then let the maker hit the numbers for you.

WHAT WE HAND YOU: 35×45 mm JPEG at 600 dpi · plain light-grey background

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The specification

UK passport photo size and requirements

These are the numbers your photo is measured against, transcribed from Official UK passport photo rules (gov.uk) — verifiable at the source, which is linked under the table:

Photo size35 × 45 mm (about 827 × 1063 pixels at 600 dpi) (derived from official print specification)
File size50 KB – 10 MB
FormatJPEG (derived from official print specification)
Head height64–76% of the photo's height (29–34 mm, crown to chin)
Eye height50–68% up from the bottom of the photo (derived from official print specification)
BackgroundPlain light grey or cream — not white

† Derived from the official print specification — the source publishes no digital value for this item.

Official UK passport photo rules (gov.uk)

Who does what

Most of this list isn't yours to solve.

Done for you, from any selfie

  • Crop: head 64–76% of frame
  • Background → plain light grey
  • 35×45 mm JPEG, 600 dpi
  • All 8 checks re-measured

Yours, before you tap the shutter

Eyeglasses
Glasses are allowed only if you genuinely need them — no sunglasses and no tinted lenses, and your eyes must be clear of any frame, glare, reflection or shadow.
Head coverings
No head covering unless you wear it for religious or medical reasons — and your whole face, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, must stay clearly visible.
Expression
A relaxed, neutral face with your mouth closed. A wide smile showing teeth risks rejection.
Light and focus
Face the camera straight on, eyes open, in even indirect light. Nothing can un-blur a soft photo or rescue a badly exposed one afterwards — including us.

Everything on the left is measurement and file work, which is what the maker is for. Everything on the right happens before the photo exists.

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Pass here, rejected there? Instant refund.

Tap the refund link in your receipt, tell us it was rejected — refunded on the spot. No screenshots, no forms, no waiting.

30 DAYS FROM PURCHASE · NO PROOF UPLOADS · A DRUGSTORE COUNTER CHARGES $15–25 AND GUARANTEES NOTHING

Questions

Fair questions, straight answers.

Is this an official HM Passport Office or GOV.UK service?

No. We're an independent service that makes and checks passport photos — not affiliated with HM Passport Office or GOV.UK. The official GOV.UK photo rules are linked below if you'd rather do it yourself.

Why is the background grey and not white?

Because HM Passport Office requires it. UK passport photos must be taken against a plain light grey or cream background (GOV.UK recommends 5–10% grey) — a white background is a common rejection reason. We render exactly that grey.

Can I use this for the online GOV.UK application?

Yes for the printed/postal route — you get a sheet of eight to print, and the file also meets the digital minimum (at least 600×750 px, plain light-grey background). One honest note: if you apply fully online and photograph yourself on your device, GOV.UK crops the image for you and asks you not to pre-crop, so use our photo for the printed route or as your compliant reference for background, size and expression.

What happens if my photo fails a check?

You won't be charged. We show you exactly which check failed and how to fix it, so you can retake the photo and try again for free.

What if my photo is rejected after I pay?

Instant refund: open the refund link in your receipt, tell us it was rejected, and the money goes back to your card on the spot — no screenshots, no forms. Covers 30 days from purchase.

What happens to my photo?

It’s used only to run the checks, downloadable by you for 7 days, then deleted automatically. No account, no photo library, no reuse.

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