United Kingdom · HM Passport Office · Verified October 22, 2026
UK Passport Photo (Online) — at least 600×750 px, 50 KB–10 MB, Make It in Seconds
- at least 600×750 px
- 50 KB–10 MB
- JPG
- Plain light-coloured
Off by default: this authority rejects edited backgrounds. Take the photo against a plain wall instead — we'll check it.
Drop your photo here
Tap to choose, drag and drop, or paste. JPG, PNG, HEIC, WebP.
Processed on your device. Never uploaded.
Everything on this page is set to the official UK Passport Photo (Online) specification from HM Passport Office. For citizens of the United Kingdom applying or renewing.
UK Passport Photo (Online) requirements
| Document | UK Passport — online application |
|---|---|
| Issued by | HM Passport Office (United Kingdom) |
| Pixels | min 600 × 750 |
| File size | 50 KB–10 MB |
| Format | JPG |
| Background colour | Plain light-coloured |
| Colour | Colour photo required |
| Taken within | the last month |
| Submitted as | Digital upload |
The rules in plain words
- Digital photo at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall.
- File size between 50 KB and 10 MB.
- Clear, in focus, in colour and not altered by computer software.
- Taken within the last month — a new photo is needed for every new passport.
- Plain light-coloured background in clear contrast to you.
- Plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible, facing forwards and looking straight at the camera.
- No hair in front of the eyes, no head covering unless for religious or medical reasons, nothing covering the face.
- No shadows on the face or behind you, and no 'red eye'.
- Avoid glasses; if you must wear them, no sunglasses or tinted lenses and no frames, glare or reflections over the eyes.
- Only you in the photo — no other people or objects.
How to take a UK Passport Photo at home
- 1Stand about half a metre in front of a plain light-coloured wall. Distance from the wall stops shadows behind your head.
- 2Face a window or soft light so both sides of your face are evenly lit — no harsh overhead light.
- 3Ask someone to hold the camera at your eye level, 1–1.5 m away. Selfies at arm's length make noses look bigger and get rejected.
- 4Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, hair away from your eyes.
- 5Take off your glasses unless you have a medical reason to wear them.
- 6Drop the photo here and download the result — it is ready to upload.
Tips specific to this document
- You need someone else to take the photo if you use your own phone — selfies are not accepted.
- Stand about half a metre in front of a plain light wall with daylight in front of you.
- Children under 6 do not need a plain expression; babies under one do not need their eyes open.
Common reasons photos are rejected
- Photo older than one month.
- Shadow behind the head from a light source on one side.
- Background not plain (doors, pictures, patterned wallpaper).
- Glare on glasses.
Questions people ask
What size is a UK Passport Photo?
HM Passport Office requires at least 600×750 px, with a file size 50 KB–10 MB. ExactFit sizes your photo to exactly this and shows a checklist so you can confirm before you submit.
What background colour is required?
Plain light-coloured, plain and without shadows or patterns. HM Passport Office does not accept digitally edited backgrounds, so take the photo against a plain wall; ExactFit checks the background but leaves it unchanged by default.
Can I wear glasses?
Avoid glasses; if you must wear them, no sunglasses or tinted lenses and no frames, glare or reflections over the eyes.
How recent does the photo need to be?
It must have been taken within the last month and look like you do now.
Can I take a UK Passport Photo with my phone?
Yes. Have someone else take it at eye level from about 1–1.5 m away with light in front of you. iPhone HEIC files work directly.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. All processing — face detection, cropping, background and compression — runs inside your browser. Your photo never leaves your device.
Will my photo be accepted?
ExactFit checks every measurable requirement against the official rules, but the final decision is made by HM Passport Office. Follow the checklist and the official guidance linked on this page.
Official source
Last verified against the official source: October 22, 2026
ExactFit is not affiliated with any government. Requirements can change; always confirm with the official source. No guarantee of acceptance.
Spotted a change? Tell us and we’ll re-verify within days.