United Kingdom Passport Photo Maker
Create a 35 × 45 mm United Kingdom passport photo from your own picture. Face detection, cropping and export all run in your browser.
This page is a check and guidance only: GOV.UK says "Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you" and that photos must be "unaltered by computer software", so no file is exported. The on-screen crop only shows how your head would sit in a 35 × 45 mm frame.
Background: the background must be plain cream or light grey (printed); plain light-coloured (digital). The tool does not change the background for this document (the official source does not allow edited photos), so take the photo against a suitable plain wall.
The photo is too close. Retake it with more space around your head (above the hair, at the sides and down to the shoulders) so it can be cropped to the required size.
Background replacement is off for this document: the official source does not allow edited photos. Take the photo against a suitable plain wall.
Optional. A one-time download of about 16 MB, then the background is replaced with the required colour on your device. Your photo is not uploaded.
Red line = top of the hair, blue = eyes, green = chin. Drag a line onto the right spot, or use its ▲ ▼ buttons; the crop refits. Drag anywhere else to move the photo. The green band shows where the chin must end, the blue band where the eyes must be.
GOV.UK tells you: "Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you", and says photos must be "unaltered by computer software". This page therefore only checks your photo and gives guidance; it does not export a file. Use a photo booth or shop that gives a photo code, or upload your uncropped photo in your application.
The tool only checks the size and position of the head. It does not check glasses, expression, background or lighting.
No file or print sheet is exported on this page (see the notice above).
Guide lines are an aid, not a check by any authority. Always compare the result with the official requirements linked below.
United Kingdom passport photo requirements
| Printed size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 29–34 mm from the crown of the head to the chin, measured to the top of the hair. GOV.UK says "crown of your head" without saying whether hair counts; the interpretation is not settled. |
| Background | Plain cream or light grey (printed); plain light-coloured (digital) |
| Digital file from this tool | 700 × 900 px JPEG, 50–10240 KB (authority minimum: 600 × 750 px) |
| Editing | Not allowed by the official source (background replacement is off) |
| Print sheet from this tool | Not offered. No file or print sheet is exported on this page (see the notice above). |
Rules from the official source
- Taken in the last month.
- Digital: clear and in focus, in colour, unaltered by computer software, at least 600 × 750 pixels, 50 KB to 10 MB.
- Digital: plain light-coloured background, in clear contrast, no other objects or people, no red eye; include head, shoulders and upper body.
- Printed: 2 identical photos, 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, not a cut-down version of a larger picture, printed professionally on plain white photographic paper, no border.
- Printed: head 29–34 mm from the crown of the head to the chin; plain cream or light grey background.
- Facing forwards, plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no hair in front of the eyes, no shadows.
- No head covering unless for religious or medical reasons.
- No glasses unless you have to; never sunglasses or tinted glasses, and no frames, glare or reflection over the eyes.
How to use the tool
- Take a front-facing photo in even light against a plain wall, or pick an existing one.
- Upload it. The tool finds your face, eyes and chin, and crops the photo to 35 × 45 mm.
- Check the red line sits on the very top of your hair (not your forehead) and the green line on your chin. Drag a line to correct it; the crop refits automatically.
- Use the on-screen check as guidance only: no file is exported on this page. If the tool says the photo is too close, retake it with more space around your head.
Common mistakes that lead to rejection
- Smiling, raised eyebrows or an open mouth.
- Shadows on the face or on the wall behind you.
- Head too small or too large in the frame. The head is measured from the top of the hair to the chin, not from the forehead.
- Photo taken too close, so the top of the head or the shoulders are cut off.
- Tilted head or looking away from the camera.
- Busy or coloured background instead of a plain wall.
Editing and retouching
Not allowed by the official source. The source says: Your photo must be: clear and in focus, in colour, unaltered by computer software
Source.
This tool only offers background replacement where an official source explicitly allows editing.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a UK passport photo?
Printed photos must be 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with the head 29–34 mm from the crown to the chin. Digital photos must be at least 600 × 750 pixels and between 50 KB and 10 MB.
Why can I not download a photo here?
GOV.UK says not to crop a photo taken on your own device because it will be done for you, and that photos must be unaltered by computer software. This page only checks your photo and gives guidance.
How do I get a photo for a UK passport?
GOV.UK suggests a photo booth or shop that gives you a photo code, or taking a photo with your own device during the application, with someone helping you.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. The check runs inside your browser and your photo never leaves your device.
Official source
GOV.UK (HM Passport Office): https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports. Last verified by us: . Rules can change, so always check the official page before you apply.
PhotoID Ready is independent and not affiliated with any government agency. Whether a photo is accepted is always decided by the issuing authority.
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- Passport Photo Background: What Colour Is Required?
- Can You Smile in a Passport Photo?
- Why Was Your Visa Photo Rejected? Common Reasons & How to Fix Them
- How to Take a Passport Photo at Home With Your Phone
- How to Reduce a Passport Photo to 50 KB Without Losing Quality
- Passport Photo vs Visa Photo: What's the Difference?