United Kingdom Passport

Use an original, unaltered photo. SpecSnap provides this passport specification for reference and does not process or export edited UK passport photos.

Dimensions

• Print size: 35 × 45 mm, aspect ratio 7:9 (printed photo for paper applications)
• Pixel size in the reference preset: 600 × 771 px (approximately 7:9); this is not a generated submission photo
• DPI of the reference preset: approximately 435 DPI
• File / size: GOV.UK does not mandate a file format; digital photos must be at least 600 × 750 px and between 50 KB and 10 MB. The digital minimum and printed dimensions are separate requirements.
• Color mode: sRGB color only

Head position

• Head height (chin to crown): 29–34 mm
• Head height as fraction of frame: ≈ 64%–76% (slightly lower than the ICAO 70%–80% default, matching HMPO's published 29–34 mm band)
• Head position: Directly facing camera; head upright, no tilt
• Shoulders: Square to camera

Background

• Color: Printed photos require a plain light grey or cream background; digital photos require a plain light-coloured background
• Requirements: No shadows, no objects, no other people behind the subject

Expression

• Expression must be neutral, mouth closed
• Both eyes open and clearly visible, looking at the camera
• Eyes must not be covered by hair

Accessories

• Eyeglasses: NOT permitted unless you must wear them — in which case eyes must be fully visible with no glare and the frames must not cover the eyes. Removing glasses is the safe default.
• Sunglasses / tinted lenses: Prohibited
• Head coverings: Permitted for religious or medical reasons; the full face from chin to forehead must be visible
• Hats / non-religious head coverings: Prohibited

Other rules

• Photo must be taken within the last month and reflect current appearance
• Photo must be unaltered by computer software; do not replace the background, apply filters, or beautify the image
• For a digital photo taken on your own device, include your head, shoulders, and upper body; leave cropping to the passport application service
• Plain expression, even lighting, no red-eye

Notes

• Photograph against the required plain background with even lighting. Do not composite the person onto a different background.
• The 29–34 mm head band runs slightly lower than ICAO 9303's biometric default (≈ 70%–80%), so the head sits a little smaller in the frame than for an Australian or Schengen photo.

Sources

• GOV.UK — Get a passport photo
• GOV.UK — Photo requirements (printed: cream/light grey, 35×45 mm, 29–34 mm head)
• GOV.UK — Digital photos (≥600×750 px, 50 KB–10 MB)
• ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine-Readable Travel Documents