UK passport photo: size, head height and the online file

Take the photo against a plain cream or light grey wall, open the UK passport photo maker, check the head is between 29 and 34 mm, and download the photo (at least 600 × 750 pixels) or a sheet of prints. The UK preset keeps the background you photographed, because GOV.UK asks for printed photos unaltered by computer software.

The rules

Read on GOV.UK: photo rules and GOV.UK: digital photos on 13 November 2026.

Steps

1. Stand in front of a plain cream or light grey wall, evenly lit, with no shadow behind you.
2. Have someone else take the photo at eye height, with your head and shoulders in it.
3. Open the UK passport photo maker and choose the photo. United Kingdom passport is already chosen and Background is set to Keep original.
4. Change Head size or drag the photo until the head check reads between 29 and 34 mm.
5. Press Download photo for the online form, or Download sheet for eight prints on a 4 × 6 page.

Why the background is not replaced

GOV.UK asks for printed photos "unaltered by computer software". Painting a new background in is an alteration, so the preset leaves your wall as it is and only frames and sizes the photo. The best fix for a busy background is a plainer wall.

GOV.UK also lets a photo booth or shop give you a code for a digital photo, which you enter in the online application instead of uploading a file.

UK visa photos

The UK visa application takes a digital photo of at least 600 × 750 pixels, 50 KB to 6 MB, against a plain light-coloured background, showing your head, shoulders and upper body. Choose United Kingdom visa under Size.

Questions

What is the UK passport photo size in pixels?

The online form asks for at least 600 pixels wide and 750 tall. The tool saves 600 × 771, which keeps the 35 × 45 shape.

Will my photo be accepted?

No tool can promise that. The photo is framed to the published size; the Passport Office still checks it.