PlainUK Passport (35×45 mm, printed) photo requirements
A quick summary of the published size rules for this passport photo, and a free tool that crops your own photo to that size and checks the measurable rules — privately on your device.
⛔ Applying online? Do NOT upload a photo made here. GOV.UK asks for the original photo from your own device — "Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you" — or a photo code from a booth/shop. This size is only for applications that still ask for printed photos.
Size at a glance
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Head height (chin to top of head) | 29–34 mm |
| Background | Plain light grey or cream |
| Pixels at 300 DPI | 413 × 531 px |
| Digitally edited photos | Not accepted — GOV.UK: your photo must be "unaltered by computer software". |
| Photos per 4×6 print | 8 |
Plain expression, mouth closed, no shadows on face or background.
How to take it at home
- Stand about 1–1.5 m in front of a plain, light wall in even light; avoid shadows on your face and behind you.
- Have someone else take the photo at eye level (selfies at arm's length distort the face). Look straight at the camera.
- Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Both eyes open, hair away from the face.
- Leave plenty of space above your head and around your shoulders. Don't use filters, beauty modes or portrait (background-blur) mode.
- Open the photo tool: it crops to the exact size, places your head and eye line in range and checks the measurable rules. It does not change your background for documents that forbid edited photos — if the background isn't plain, retake the photo.
- Download the digital file, or a 4×6 sheet and print it as a standard photo print ("fit / no crop").
The issuing authority makes the final decision on every photo; automatic checks can't guarantee acceptance.
Official source: www.gov.uk. This summary is provided for convenience and may be out of date.