What size does a UK passport photo need to be online?

For an online UK passport application, the digital photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, in colour, and between 50 KB and 10 MB.

Can I crop my own UK passport photo?

No. GOV.UK says the photo must be unaltered by computer software and that you should not crop a self-taken digital photo yourself — the application crops it for you.

Does a UK passport photo have to be a JPEG?

GOV.UK requires a colour image and does not explicitly mandate a file format. JPEG is the typical format most cameras and phones produce, and it is widely accepted.

HM Passport Office (GOV.UK)

UK passport digital photo requirements

To apply for a UK passport online you upload a digital photo. It must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, in colour, and between 50 KB and 10 MB.

GOV.UK requires the photo to be unaltered by computer software and says you should not crop a self-taken digital photo yourself — the application crops it. The tool below only checks your file against the official limits; it does not resize, crop, compress, or re-encode it.

Official source: gov.uk — Get a passport photo

Official source checked on 2026-07-08. This records when we compared our summary to the linked government page — not when the tool was QA-tested. Requirements can change; always confirm the current rules on the official page before you apply.

Reviewed by the ExactPic Editorial Team against the official source above. See how we verify requirements.

Specifications

Minimum dimensions: 600 × 750 px
File size: 50 KB to 10 MB
File format: Colour image (GOV.UK requires colour; JPEG is the typical format)
Print size (if printed): 45 mm high × 35 mm wide
Head size: Crown to chin 29–34 mm (printed)
Background: Plain, light-coloured, no shadows
Age of photo: Taken within the last month

Every value in this table is summarized from gov.uk — Get a passport photo (HM Passport Office (GOV.UK)), checked 2026-07-08. Confirm the current values on the official page before you apply.

Check your photo

The tool below is set to the official digital limits. Drop your photo in to check it against each requirement — nothing is uploaded or altered.

GOV.UK sets a minimum file size of 50 KB and requires the photo to be unaltered by software. For that reason this page only checks your photo — it does not resize, crop, compress, or re-encode it. Upload the original image to GOV.UK.

Private by design. Your files never leave your device

Drop an image here, or click to browse

HEIC, JPG, PNG, WebP

Auto-checked: File size, pixel dimensions, aspect ratio, and file format.
You must verify yourself: Head size and position, background, lighting, expression, and colour profile — the tool cannot judge these.

Compliance note. This checks the minimum dimensions, format, and maximum file size only. It does not judge head position, expression, lighting, background, or whether HM Passport Office will accept your photo.

Reviewed by ExactPic editorial against the official source on 2026-07-08. Spotted something out of date or wrong? Report an incorrect requirement.

Step by step

Take a photo on a light background
Use even lighting with no shadows, a plain light-coloured background, and a neutral expression.
Do not crop it yourself
GOV.UK crops the photo during the application, so upload the full head-and-shoulders image.
Check below, then upload the original
Confirm the photo is at least 600×750 px and within the file-size range, then upload the unaltered original to GOV.UK.

Private by design. Any photo you check here is processed entirely in your browser and never uploaded. ExactPic is not affiliated with HM Passport Office (GOV.UK) and does not guarantee acceptance — always follow the official guidance.

Source change log

2026-07-09 — Softened the file-format row: GOV.UK requires a colour image and does not explicitly mandate JPEG, so JPEG is now described as the typical format rather than an official requirement.
2026-07-09 — Clarified check-only wording in meta and intro; removed language implying users should download a modified file.
2026-07-08 — Switched to check-only mode to honour the GOV.UK rule that the photo must be unaltered by computer software.

Other portals

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Frequently asked questions

What size does a UK passport photo need to be online?: For an online UK passport application, the digital photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, in colour, and between 50 KB and 10 MB.
Can I crop my own UK passport photo?: No. GOV.UK says the photo must be unaltered by computer software and that you should not crop a self-taken digital photo yourself — the application crops it for you.
Does a UK passport photo have to be a JPEG?: GOV.UK requires a colour image and does not explicitly mandate a file format. JPEG is the typical format most cameras and phones produce, and it is widely accepted.

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Official source checked: 2026-07-08