Guide
UK Passport Photo Requirements: Size, File Size and Rules
GOV.UK publishes clear rules for digital passport photos: minimum pixel size, a file-size range, colour, and a ban on software that alters your appearance. Printed-photo rules differ if you apply on paper. This guide focuses on the digital file most online applications need.
Specs checked against official wording on 2026-11-06. GOV.UK photos for passports
Check a UK passport photoDigital photo numbers (GOV.UK)
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum pixels | At least 600 × 750 |
| File size | Between 50 KB and 10 MB |
| Colour | Colour photo required |
| Background | Plain light-coloured background |
| Alteration | Must not be altered by filters or editing that changes appearance |
| Framing | Head, shoulders and upper body visible as per GOV.UK guidance |
Unlike DS-160, the UK digital upload is not fighting a 240 KB ceiling — files can be much larger. The hard fails are usually wrong proportions, a dark background, glasses glare, or beauty filters.
Read the live GOV.UK page before you apply. ExactPhoto crops and checks placement; it does not guarantee HM Passport Office acceptance.
Do not alter the photo
- No beauty mode, skin smoothing, or red-eye tools that change how you look.
- No digitally replaced backgrounds if GOV.UK treats that as alteration for your route.
- ExactPhoto only crops and compresses — it does not rewrite your face.
Check a digital UK passport photo
- Take a recent photo against a plain light background.
- Open the ExactPhoto UK passport tool — processing stays in the browser.
- Confirm size and face placement in the preview.
- Download the JPEG and upload it on the official GOV.UK journey.